On the Trail of the Templars

For 200 years, the Knights Templars were among the most wealthy and powerful of the Western Christian military orders, key financiers and fighters in the crusades.

But by 1307, the Order was disbanded, its assets seized and its Temple Church in London taken. Why?

Dan Brown's best-seller The Da Vinci Code was inspired by Lynn Picknett and Clive Prince's book, The Templar Revelations.

Historian Martin Palmer embarks on a journey around England to separate fact from fiction in the mysteries surrounding the Knights Templar. His destinations include Temple Church in London, Denny Abbey, Temple Balsall, Garway, and Templecombe.

Interviewees: Lynn Picknett; Jonathan Riley-Smith; Helen Nicholson; Geoff Beck and Rev. Robin Griffiths Jones.

Producer: Norman Winter

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2007.