For those of you masons out there...

MOVIE SPOILER


































































































...I was wondering how true the part about the crusades was and the real-life charactors, i.e. Benjamin Franklin, etc. I doubt the authenticity about a secret map on the back of Declaration of Independance, but did the Knights temple or Knights of columbus have a treasure back in the dark ages? Or is this yet another one of your secrets you hold near and dear?
Thanks
troylawson

P.S. Sorry thought I was replying to post about "National Treasure" and not making a new one.

[edit on 17-12-2004 by troylawson]

Nice of you to warn members before you do a spoiler! I'm no mason, but no "real" mason [no offence] would not be on these forums if they are in any way affiliated with the national treasure. They would probally have better things to do like protect it, and find it!

So there is a National Treasure!!!!! Sweet!

There is also a Santa Clause too.

Originally posted by troylawson

...I was wondering how true the part about the crusades was and the real-life charactors, i.e. Benjamin Franklin, etc. I doubt the authenticity about a secret map on the back of Declaration of Independance, but did the Knights temple or Knights of columbus have a treasure back in the dark ages? Or is this yet another one of your secrets you hold near and dear?

I haven't seen the movie yet, but have heard much about it. It is based on real history, but the story itself is completely fictional.

Benjamin Franklin was a very active Mason. He was Grand Master of Masons in Pennsylvania, and was also a Past Master of the Lodge of Nine Muses in Paris, which he presided over the night Voltaire was initiated. He also published the first Masonic book in the Colonies, "Constitutions of the Ancient and Honorable Society of Free Masons" by Rev. James Anderson.

It is true that the Knights Templar were a military order in the middle ages, and that they had amassed great wealth. However, each Knight Templar was a monk, and each had taken a vow of poverty. Their wealth, therefore, was first used to establish hospitals in the Holy Land, as well as to support other charities. Apparently, the Pope and King of Spain considered this a waste of money; they had the Knights arrested on trumped-up charges, stole their treasury, and split it among themselves.

It is highly unlikely that any Templar treasure survived this pogrom, as practically every leading member was imprisoned.

. Apparently, the Pope and King of Spain

i think it was the King of France, Philip le Bel, yes?

Originally posted by stalkingwolf

i think it was the King of France, Philip le Bel, yes?

You're right, sorry. I was listening to Miles Davis' "Sketches of Spain" when I wrote that.

The story is fictional, but the history is very well researched! I think it took them 5 years to write the script. Their is no map on the bacl of Decleration of Independence I don't think, though it would make sense...

Its believed that some of the Knights had gotten away and the treasure was hidden away. A lot of people believe that the treasure is hidden under Roslyn or the popular "Money Pit". For any info on this, just head on over the yahoo and search Knights treasure.

Thanks for that tip, I'm on yahoo now!

Atlantis Rising- Good Link
Templar History