the knights templar

[Aracnid]

I think the best way is a chapter house/guild hall thing that can onl be built in the Holy Lands, Malta and Cyprus. Also the Papal army should have a lot of Templars etc in it.

[LadyAnn]

Knights Templar fought in Papal army? Care to elaborate, aracnid? I have not seen anywhere that Knights Templar were in any Papal army.

Annie

[Aracnid]

That's because there wasn't much of a papal army until later on. Until the 1300 they were a pretty independant part of the HRE, after that there was an independant papal realm. So at the start of the game the Papal States are part of the HRE, but for gameplay reasons they have to be independant, thus you can give them whatever army seems sensible, as it is the papacy a few religous fanatics seems appropiate.

[LadyAnn]

I wouldn't give the Papal State control of Templar Knights, if you read their history.

Anniep
elaborate:
- the Knight Order was found in 12th century after the 1st Crusade to protect Christian pilgrims between the port of Jaffa and Jerusalem.
- The region of operation of the Order was around Jerusalem, although they have headquarters in islands of the Mediterranean. Although they recruit throughout Europe and have many centers there, they don't assemble into an army to fight in Western Europe.
- The Knights were executed by the order of the Pope in 14th century. The Pope never had control of the Knights, although they enjoy papal exemption (answer only to the Church, not loyal to any king). In fact, they grew in popularity and power that the Church (and King Philip the Fair of France) feared.

[magnum]

It was said by CA at one time that Templars and such would be recruited from thier Guild Halls. So once you've built a level of a Guild Hall you'd be able to recruit the appropriate troops. What hasn't been said is what requirements would be needed to get the Templars to let you build a Guild Hall, or either of the higher level Halls. I'd assume in the case of Templars that going on Crusades would help. But no one really knows at this time. Well, CA does but they won't talk.)

[LadyAnn]

Would be interesting to have a mod where the Templars could be played as a faction :)
You start out in Jerusalem, but has "tax" and recruitment throughout Europe. You try to grow in power and wealth, fight the Muslims, add territories, brush off with the Pope and the King of France and other Monarches. If you fail, you will be burned at the Stake, your wealth confiscated. If you succeed, you will become an international force, on the road to world domination. 200 years of fun!

:D