leaving battle unless outnumbered three to one. The order received the blessing of the Pope in 1129, and the Templars soon got recognition as heroes.With the Pope's blessing, the Templars could now recruit members and raise money through donations. Donations came to the Templars in large amounts. The warrior monks were given wealth, jewels, and property. King Alfonso 1 of Argon gave the Templars one-third of his Spanish Empire on his deathbed. They owned land in France, Spain, England, Italy, Germany, Portugal, Austria, Hungary, and other places. Men also went to the Templars to support their cause, and some in hopes of getting rich. The Knights Templars did have their critics though. Some felt they were unchristian, killing hundreds of people, including women and children. They held meetings in secret, which frightened some individuals. It was unknown what was held in their secret meetings. The second crusade was underway and the Templars fought on the Christian side. Military and financial support was given on their behalf. They fought an Islamic fanatical group known as the Assasins. The Assasins showed no mercy, they killed more than the Templars. Slowly but surely the Christians began to loose territory. In 1187, at the battle of Hattin, 25,000 Christians were defeated by 60,000 Islamic troops led by Saladin. The moors recaptured Jerusalem and the Templars relocated. They went to Acre and eventually left Outremer all together. The remaining Templars fled to Limassol, where they created a new headquarters. The Templars were no longer fighting, and they therefore sought a new task. The Templars owned houses all across the map, and they used that to their benefit. The Knights Templars became the first bankers. Travelers would deposit money at one Templar building, and travel, with a statement of deposit, to another city. They would then "cash in" their statement and receive the same amount of money at another ...
