This cross is emblazoned with the “Cross Patteé”, the royal emblem of the The Knights Templar. The Knights Templar were a group of dedicated warrior-monks, sworn to protect the pilgrims making their passage to the Holy Land in Jerusalem. During the crusades, they became immensely powerful and wealthy, creating what many recognize as the first banking system. Through the centuries they were influenced by many eastern philosophies; Sufism, Islam and even ancient forms of Christianity such as Gnosticism. After the crusades, the Knights Templar were persecuted and tortured, considered to be heretics practicing “Black Magick”.