The Last of the Templars

By William Watson,

Book cover of The Last of the Templars

Book description

In the chaotic aftermath of the fall of Acre in 1291 and the reconquest of the Holy Land by the Moslems, the last survivors of the Order of the Temple make their bloody retreat from the Middle East. Loading the treasure of their Order into a decrepit, leaky vessel, they…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

1 author picked The Last of the Templars as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

I blame Dan Brown, but mention the Templars and you are usually met with a glazed look, as if you’re about to share your favourite conspiracy theory. William Watson’s book is a class, if not a universe, apart from Brown and co. It is an almost unbearably vivid re-creation of the world of the crusader kingdoms, and the corruption at the heart of Europe that first sustained and then destroyed their knightly protectors. In spare, unshowy prose, Watson demonstrates the darker side of the Middle Ages, in all its forbidding glory.

Want books like The Last of the Templars?

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like The Last of the Templars.

Browse books like The Last of the Templars

Book cover of Meetings with Remarkable Manuscripts: Twelve Journeys into the Medieval World
Book cover of The Making of the Middle Ages
Book cover of Autumntide of the Middle Ages

Share your top 3 reads of 2024!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,187

readers submitted
so far, will you?

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in the Knights Templar, the Middle Ages, and the Middle East?

The Middle Ages 431 books
The Middle East 192 books