TEMPLARS, or TEMPLERS, a religious order instituted at Jerusalem about the year 1118. Some religious gentlemen put themselves under the government of the patriarch of Jerusalem, renounced property, made the vow of celibacy and obedience, and lived like canons regular. King Baldwin assigned them an apartment in his palace. They had likewise lands given them by the king, the patriarch, and the nobility, for their maintenance. At first there were but nine of this order, and the two principal persons were Hugo de Paganis and Geoffry of St Omers. About nine years after their institution, a rule was drawn up for them, and a white habit assigned them, by Pope Honorius II. About 20 years afterwards, in the popedom of Eugenius III. they had red crosses sewed upon their cloaks as a mark of distinction; and in a short time they were increased to about 300 in their convent at Jerusalem. They took the name of Knights Templars, because their first house stood near the temple dedicated to our Saviour at Jerusalem. This order, after having performed many great exploits against the infidels, became rich and powerful all over Europe; but the knights, abusing their wealth and credit, fell into great disorders and irregularities. Many crimes and enormities being alleged against them, they were prosecuted in France, Italy, and Spain; and at last the Pope, by his bull of the 22d of May 1312, given in the council of Vienna, pronounced the extinction of the order of Templars, and united their estates to the order of St John of Jerusalem.