Secrets of the City of London - Part 2

The Knights Templar

My article on the ‘Secrets of the City of London’ was well received so this is part 2 in the series.

This part of the story begins just after William the Conqueror invaded England in 1066. Soon afterwards, in 1096, the European religious wars known as the Crusades began, in an attempt to seize Jerusalem. England didn’t participate much in the first Crusade but it is likely that English sailors were present at the Fall of Jerusalem in 1099.

After Jerusalem came under Christian control, pilgrimages from around Europe began. Whilst the city itself was relatively safe, the journey was often extremely dangerous with pilgrims often slaughtered on their way to the Holy Land.