The Knights original purpose was to protect pilgrims from danger, However, they progressively expanded its duties. By becoming defenders of the Crusader states in the Holy Land and were known as brave, highly skilled warriors.

The Knights had a dress code, they would to wear the white mantle at all times, even being forbidden to eat or drink unless they were wearing it. Sergeants wore a black tunic with a red cross on the front and a black or brown mantle. As monks, Templars were tonsured.

It was said that the "The Knights Templar had found the Holy Grail and other religious secrets in Jerusalem.

It was  King Phillip IV of France set his sights on the fabled riches of the Knights Templar. The king was deeply in debt Philip's intention was to destroy the Templar Order and confiscate all their treasuries and properties in France, but he had to obviously achieve this legally.

On the break of dawn on Friday,  the 13th October  1307, scores of French Templars were simultaneously arrested by agents of King Philip, then later to be tortured in locations such as the tower at Chinon, into admitting heresy and other sacrilegious offences in the Order. Then they were put to death.

 In England and Wales, the Grand Priory of Knights Templar, has about 140 members. ... Temple Church still stands on the site of the old Preceptory in London, and effigies of Crusading Templars can still be seen there today. In Yorkshire, Temple Newsam was one of the key Templar holdings.