Who were?
They were probably biggest heroes of Europe and very good ideal of medieval knights. The order was created in 1119, after first crusade. Their first purpose was defending roads to the Jerusalem. Time passed and the Templars were stronger and stronger. They started act as main army of the Jerusalem. For info, in the order was more than 15 000 members at the time of their greatest glory (The order wasn't accept all people, only selected). In the order were a few bad people, but most were honest. At the time of their greatest glory was the order stronger than some kingdoms and principalities. They were defending us, Europe, against Islamic troops. In 1306 use King Philip IV. base of Templars in Paris as defend, because in France was rebellion. In 1312 the order come to an end by pope Clement V, which asked King Philip IV, because he had large debts at the Templars. All Templars in Paris were captured, master of the order, Jacques de Molay, was with some other templars executed.