| The goal of the present research is to provide a comprehensive look at the role of the Knights Templar in Portugal and the impact the Order had in the first two hundred years of Portugal as an independent kingdom. The Templars played a major role not only as a fighting force, but also, and perhaps more importantly, as colonizers, acting as both instruments and vehicles of socio-economic development. As such, the complex social and kinship ties that linked them to the Portuguese nobility, the patronage they sought and received, the character and nature of their relationship with the Portuguese bishops and great lords, are key issues in understanding the importance the Knights Templar had in the formative period of Portugal. The boundary dates for this study are 1128, the date of the first document placing the Templar in Portugal, and 1319, which marks the founding of the Order of Christ in Portugal.;The Order controlled a considerable number of castles along the Tagus River, supervising Templar lands which extended from the Atlantic coast to the eastern borders with Castile. As settlers, the Order granted rights and protections to those willing to move and develop the border areas. This was done through the granting of municipal charters, which, in turn, had a direct impact on the economic and social development of the lands under Templar jurisdiction. The Order was responsible for clearing lands, draining swamps, and planting crops. These practices led to the development of an entire economy of goods established in and around the Order's commandaries and lands, as well as the establishment and development of new crops.;There was a close relationship between the Order and the Portuguese monarchs, which developed early in its history. This close collaboration between the Templars and the kings led to an early "nationalization" of the Order, in detriment to the overseas interests of the Temple. This close alliance between the Portuguese Templars and the Crown played a major role in the unique Portuguese solution, which led to the creation of a new Order which was to be a continuation of the Temple.;The present research is based on documentation found at the Arquivo Nacional da Torre do Tombo, in Lisbon. The documents used include land grants and donations, wills, land contracts, both of purchase and exchange, royal inquests, papal bulls and briefs and correspondence between the Portuguese Church and the Papacy. |
