The Rebirth of the Knights Templar, from Jerusalem to America

The Curse of Oak Island Connection For years, we watched The Curse of Oak Island on the History Channel and the reason was the rich history. In last season 10, we finally saw the entire cross on the island, made with huge boulder alignments and the Knights Templar carvings in the rocks. We realized that what we were looking at was the cross of Charlemagne, referred to as Fred Nolan’s Cross, on the show. Now, what was the cross of Charlemagne doing at a Knights Templar site? We knew it was something significant, but we had no idea what incredible history would surface. We began researching the topic and found that Godfrey of Bouillon was the grandson of Charlemagne by several generations, and he was one of the leaders of the first Crusade in Jerusalem. He also was a direct match to our 7th century Bishop, Arnoldus Areleous of Saxony. What made Godfrey so unique was that he never traveled without his two brothers, Eustace and Baldwin. Most royals are not that close to their siblings. Over centuries, we have all read about certain kings or queens who have had their siblings killed, to obtain absolute power. Godfrey is unique in that he kept his family by his side, throughout his life. In 1095 circa, Pope Urban II called for military action in Jerusalem because the Sonjet Turkish Empire controlled the region, killing Europeans who dared to enter their realm. The Byzantine Constantinople was also under siege and had already lost territory, struggling to defend itself. When Godfrey heard the request, he liquidated all his assets. Eustace and Baldwin joined Godfrey. They recruited and trained an army. Raymond the IV, Count of Toulouse liquidated tremendous assets and recruited and trained a huge army. Other Crusader nobles and their armies included Robert II, Count of Flanders, Adhemar of Le Bohemond of Taranto, and a Norman knight from Italy. Some of the armies traveled by land, others by sea, but they all arrived at Constantinople, in stages. By May, 1097 circa, 4,000 to 8,000 mounted knights and upwards of 50,000 infantry were ready and able. In a few months, the area around Constantinople was stabilized and the Byzantine Emperor provided more infantry to help in the battles around Jerusalem. In 1099 circa, the army reached Jerusalem. Italian sailors gave up the wood from their ship to build a tall wooden tower, overlooking the wall around Jerusalem. The big and last battle took place in mid July. Godfrey and his knights were the first to get over the walls and enter the city. The three-year journey to conquer Jerusalem was over and now with Christian rule, a new government had to be created. A council was formed and Count Raymond IV of Toulouse, the most royal, was offered the crown, but refused. Next was Godfrey, and he accepted. Godfrey would be the first official Christian king of Jerusalem, but Godfrey refused to be called a king because he would have to wear a golden crown and he felt strongly about Jesus wearing a crown of thorns. Godfrey changed his title to Defender or Advocate of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and agreed to a one-year appointment. Godfrey had to set up a government and protect the boundaries of Jerusalem. He also had many politics to overcome, one being who would be his successor. In a battle at the port of Acre, an Arab chronicler, al-Qalanisi documented that Godfrey was struck by an arrow that killed him, outside the city. We have read other researchers who insist that Godfrey got sick and died in Jerusalem or that he was poisoned by an enemy, but neither publication offered any details. The reason given for this controversy is that the Christian Chronicler did not document this event. The Muslims knew who Godfrey was, and we doubt that a religious chronicler would lie and make up a story of such significance. Many Muslims respected Godfrey because he tried to negotiate treaties to prevent unnecessary bloodshed. Godfrey also didn’t have his brothers with him, or none of this would have happened. Since we were not there, we will leave his death to a big question. Godfrey was buried at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. All the following kings of Jerusalem were members of Godfrey’s family. Baldwin I was Godfrey’s brother. Baldwin II was Eustace’s son, Godfrey’s nephew. Baldwin III and IV were his great nephews. Each Baldwin king stayed on the throne until he died and each king was buried at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Godfrey led his knights over the wall, being the first to enter Jerusalem and he was the first ruler, setting up the government, and providing rulers for nearly 100 years. All the leaders involved in this Crusade were tremendously talented and successful, but Godfrey is the most famous. We like to think of Godfrey as a bit unique because he loved his brothers and kept them by his side, and he was very sensitive to the fact that Jesus wore a crown of thorns and not a golden crown. Godfrey absolutely refused to wear the gold crown that was made for him. He wasn’t the first choice, but maybe he was the best choice because he wasn’t driven by greed or power. He just wanted to do the right thing, he was proud of being a great grandson of Charlemagne. When his nephew, Baldwin II, created the Knights Templar, they changed the world. Now we know why the Knights Templar spent so much time building Fred Nolan’s Cross on Oak Island. This cross is their birthright. Without Charlemagne, none of this would have happened. Without Godfrey, there would be no Knights Templar.