Knights Templar Seal

Seals of the Knights Templars

Officials of religious Orders had their own seals to validate documents approved by the Order. The seal was equivalent with modern days signatures.Futhermore the seal was an acknowledgment of a document's authenticity. afixing a seal was a declaration that the person or group whose seal was affixed validate the content of the document. The Templars, like any other individual or group, would have needed a seal whose imagery expressed something positive and fundamental about their organisation. The Master of the Temple's great seal was double-sided and showed the picture of The Dome of the Rock (some opinions are that the picture represent circular dome of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre) on one side and the Orders's symbol of two knights on one horse on the other. There was also a smaller, single-sided seal, which showed the Dome of the Rock (or the circular dome of the Holy Sepulchre). Every Grand Master seal has a common distinctive characteristics. In order to avoid the misuse of the seal specials measureses were taken regading the seals.It was kept in a locked compartment which required three keys to open. The Grand Master himself kept one of these keys, and two of his high officials held the others.The forgery of the seals was a very difficult process each seal was unique and hand made.

Dome of the Rock

Evrard de Barres

Regnaud de Vichier

MILITIE TEMPLI SALMO

The reverse of Bertrand de Blancafort's seal, Master of the Temple 1168 in Staatsarchiv Amberg

reverse of Grand Master William de Chartres seal from 1214 also depict the Dome of the Rock

Agnus Dei

In heraldry, a lamb of God (or paschal lamb, or agnus Dei) is a lamb passant proper, with a halo or charged with a cross gules, and the dexter forelimb reflexed over a cross staff from which a pennon of St. George (Argent a cross gules) is flotant. The seals of the Masters of the Temple in England: of Aimery de St Maur, 1200, Robert of Sandford, , 1241, Richard of Hastings, 1160–85, and William de la More, 1304, showed the agnus Dei the lamb of God.

Seal of Robert of Sandford,the Master of the Temple in 1241 in British Library

L'Agnus Dei, seal used by "Roncelin de Foz". Second part of the XIII th century. Departmental Archives of Marseille -Bouches du Rhône.Roncelin de Fos was originated from a little harbour named Fos-sur-Mer. As a vasal of the King of Aragon he helped the Cathars in the battle of Muret in 1213. It is credited with the introduction in the templars order of the denial of Jesus as a Prophet and the spreading of some knowledge from Holly land. Between 1252 – 1259 Grand Master in England.Roncelin de Fos Master of the knights of the Temple in Provence mid XIII century.

Fulcon de Montpezat seal

The Two Riders

Pierre de Montaigu

Bertrant de Blancquefort

The Symbol

The Templar Seal showing two knights (Hugh de Payens and Godefroi Sant Omer) on one horse. There are many interpretations of the symbolism of this seal.

A symbolic representation to the Templars' vow of poverty, (and of course not a representation of an real occurrence). Contemporary legend held that the symbol represented the initial poverty of the Order; that they could afford only a single horse for every two men. Still, the Rule of the Order from the outset permitted three horses and no more for each knight.

But at the height of the Templar's prosperity, even with all the funding they were able to collect, they were only able to put a few hundred men on horseback, though there were many more foot soldiers among the sergeants of the Order.

A riddle because the Rule forbids two riders on the same beast.
A symbol showing the dual nature of the knighthood. The brothers were two things at once and, in a way, two people at once--two men on the same horse. They were warriors, but they were also monks. By their vows they were poor, but in practice the Order was wealthy. They were worldly men, but in many ways withdrawn from the world.
an image of one knight carrying his wounded comrade from battle.
A symbol showing the sexual orientation of the knights, very doubtfull that the Grand Master of the Temple has openly endorse such a practice by adopting a symbol of it as his official seal, considering that this have been an affront to the authority and beliefs. of the Church, not to mention a deliberate transgression against the Order's vow of chastity. Another resons that make this symbol doubtful are embeded in Templar's rules:
- the brothers were encouraged not to bathe, so that no one would see their naked bodies
- they were to sleep with the lamps lit so that shameful acts could not be hidden by darkness
- the brothers should sleep dressed, and that their sleeping area is to remain lit
A symbol of Pegasus the only one argument is the shape.
A symbol showing the belief of the templars in Jesus: "For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them" (Matthew)suggesting that Christ rides with each of the brothers.

Several masters have adopted this seal from the begining of the order till al least 1298. It is known since 1167.

The two knights on the horse was evocated in: Matthew Paris in Chronica Majora cca 1250 English monk and chronicler from St Albans in Historia Anglorum This image of two men on horseback originally is at least dated in 1158 as the seal of the Grand Master of the Temple , Bertrand de Blanchefort, and is the earliest known seal for the Grand Master of the Temple forty years after the Order was formed. Use of this symbol continued under subsequent Grand Masters for as long as the Order survived, however the seal went through more than one incarnation. The Reynaut de Vichiers , who was Master of the Temple from 1255–1259 depict same images , but it is obviously not the same seal.

The Text

Regarding the text of the seal differences can be clearly seen between the seals of the Grand Masters: Blanchefort's seal: SIGILLUM MILITUM obverse;CHRISTI DE TEMPLO reverse Vichiers' seal: SIGILLUM MILITUM XPISTI Although the phrase is written using the Latin alphabet, the first two letters of Christ's name are the Greek XP (Chi Rho) rather than the Latin CHR. The XP symbol's origin lies in the early roots of Christianity, but came into popular use after the Emperor Constantine had a vision of it and converted to Christianity in the early fourth century.From the time of Constantine, it became one of the most significant symbols of Christianity, surpassed only by the cross itself. Its early associations with the military make it the more apt of the two symbols for the Templars. In fact the Chi Rho can also be seen on the shields of the knights on de Vichiers' seal

The Eagle

Bertram von Esbeck, Master of the Temple in Germany, 1296 depicts an eagle with two six pointed stars.

A heraldic bird of the first order, symbolises courage, determination, the soaring toward great heights, power, grandeur. One of the commonest medieval charges on heraldic shields, often denoting imperial sovereignty. The eagle is generally borne displayed; that is, upright, breast to the front, and legs, tail and wings expanded (commonly called a "spread eagle"). One eager or hot in the pursuit of an object much desired. Double Eagle and Eagle – Signifies a man of action, ever more occupied in high and weighty affairs, and one of lofty spirit, ingenious, speedy in apprehension and judicious in matters of ambiguity. Emblematical of fortitude and magnanimity of mind. The Romans used the figure of an eagle for their ensign, and their example has been often followed. It is the Device of Russia, Austria, Germany, the United States of America and the Emperors of France. In Blazon, when the talons, or claws and beak, are of a different tincture to the other part, it is said to be armed of such a colour. When the claws or talons are borne in arms, they should be turned towards the dexter side of the escutcheon, unless expressed to the contrary. An eagle displayed with two heads is commonly called a Spread Eagle, symbolical of the Eastern and Western Roman Empire. An eagle's leg erased at the thigh is termed á la quise.

Paris Temple

Cross pattée

A cross having arms narrow at the inner center, and very broad at the other end.

Fra Arnaude de Banyuls seal

Fra Bernard de Montlor 1248 seal

Cross pattée and fleur-de-lis

A seal from Provence : the Templars from Roaix, Sérignan ... This knight, Giraud de Chamaret, hoists the templar cross and the "fleur-de-lis". 1234.

Brother Hugues de Rochefort (Hughs from "ROCAFORTI")1204 seal. With a star and a "fleur-de-lis", this cross, hart bounded, was the Preceptor's Temple seal.

Knight on the Horse

The seal of Brother Roustan de Comps, commander of the Order of the Temple at Richerenches, 1232, shows a single knight on horseback, bearing a shield with a cross: probably St. George.

Brother Roustan de Comps 1232 seal

Head

Seals of Brother Widekind, Master of the Temple in Germany, 1271, and Brother Frederick Wildergrave, 1289, showed Christ's head (or John Head on Other Opinions)

Tower or Castle

The seal of Templar officials in Yorkshire c.1300 shows a tower with a pointed roof.

Brother Arnau Despug 1308 seal

Abraxas

The word Abraxas (or Abrasax or Abracax) was engraved on certain antique stones, called on that account Abraxas stones, which were used as amulets or charms by Gnostic sects.Amulets and seals bearing the figure of Abraxas were popular in the second century, and were used also in the thirteenth century in some of the seals of the Knights Templar. By medieval times, Abraxas was relegated to the ranks of demons. The image most associated with abraxas is that of a composite creature with the head of a rooster, the body of a man, and legs made of serpents or scorpions. He carries a whip and shield, called wisdom and power. Occasionally Abraxas is depicted driving a chariot drawn by four horse, probably representing the elements.

Tertullian, talking about of Basilides' description of Abraxas:

"Afterwards broke out the heretic Basilides. He affirms that there is a supreme Deity, by name Abraxas, by whom was created Mind, which in Greek he calls Nous; that thence sprang the Word; that of Him issued Providence, Virtue, and Wisdom; that out of these subsequently were made Principalities, powers, and Angels; that there ensued infinite issues and processions of angels; that by these angels 365 heavens were formed, and the world, in honour of Abraxas, whose name, if computed, has in itself this number. Now, among the last of the angels, those who made this world, he places the God of the Jews latest, that is, the God of the Law and of the Prophets, whom he denies to be a God, but affirms to be an angel."

The Dove

Used on the Seal of Etienne de Til-Chatel, lord of Pichanges, Preceptor of La Fontenotte. Representation of a dove, facing backwards and grasping an olive branch within its beak.

SUN and Moon

Frater Robert from the land of Retz.Seal from English XIIIth century. This seal was discovered on the XIX th century, on the city of St Père en Retz, at Biais, Loire Atlantique, on the site of a templar Commandery.

Lion

Seals of Brother Otto of Brunswich, commander of Supplingenburg, shows a lion; A seal of one Knight Templar, England, 1303 is showing the Lion of England and the cross pattée and the crescent moon of the Mother Goddess with stars.

Griffen

William, Master of the Temple in Hungary and Slovonia, 1297, depicts a winged griffen

Unusual uncertified early Templar insignia

Froms Hugue de Payne period.

References

Hopkins, M, Simmans, G. & Wallace-Murphy, T., Rex Deus, Element, Shaftesbury, Dorset, 2000, 177