ABSTRACT
In the year 1128 ‘Hugh of the Knights Templar came from Jerusalem to the king in Normandy; and the king received him with great ceremony and gave him great treasures of gold and silver, and sent him thereafter to England, where he was welcomed by all good men. He was given treasures by all, and in Scotland too; and by him much wealth entirely in gold and silver was sent to Jerusalem. He called for people to go to Jerusalem. As a result more people went, either with him, or after him, than ever before since the time of the first crusade, which was in the day of pope Urban: yet little was achieved by it. He declared that a decisive battle was imminent between Christians and the heathen, but, when all the multitudes got there, they were pitiably duped to find it was nothing but lies.’ 1 This is the first mention of the Knights Templar in the British Isles.
