The Templar Curse — Phillip Ross

In the year 1118 AD, a French family of noble birth set forth to ride to the holy lands. Hugh De Paynes and Eight of his close relatives began the order of the Knights Templar to protect Pilgrims on their journey to the holy land. By the 13th Century the Templar order had become large in numbers and had now set up Preceptories across the known world. These Preceptories were farmsteads growing crops and breeding cattle, they were also the centre for a profitable venture. The Knights were sworn to poverty themselves yet they set up a banking system. A Pilgrim would leave their valuables and gold in return for a Chit, a small piece of paper with the amount deposited written on it. It would be signed by the head Preceptor to be cashed in on the Pilgrim's arrival in the holy land. The Templar Knights had fought in all the eight Crusades and now as the ninth ended many Knights made their way home to Europe and a dream of peace. The Templar Curse joins one such knight and his companion as they journey home to England not knowing what fate awaits them and their order.