Templar or Mason? Untangling the two

Questions often arise regarding whether modern Masonic Templar bodies represent a direct continuation of the medieval order in Wales. They do not. The original Templars were dissolved by a papal bull in 1312. No historical evidence exists to suggest an unbroken chain between that event and the present day.

The Masonic Order of the Temple appeared as a chivalric degree in the eighteenth century. It used the ideals and symbols of the medieval knights as inspiration, but the movement was organised entirely within the framework of Freemasonry. This modern tradition relies on medieval memory for its internal structure.

The two groups share a tangible connection. Many people encounter the history of the medieval Templars first through Masonic channels, and Masonic pilgrimages to sites like Slebech preserved local interest in the knights for two centuries. This site treats the two subjects as distinct entities. See the Masonic Connection page for more.