Yawn...does every novel about the Templars HAVE to include a secret that could destro

[Gramm838]

I have a real interest in this period and do like to read fictional stories about it, but why does almost every author have to drag up the conspiracy theory about deep, dark, secrets held by the Templars?

Can't people just write a rollicking good story about what they did, and where, and how they fought?

The only people I've read recently that seem to have been able to manage this are Michael Jecks (Templar's Acre), and Tom Harper (although his books aren't strictly about the Templars).

You'd think that people writing fiction would use their imagination a bit!

 

[marklord]

Re: Yawn...does every novel about the Templars HAVE to include a secret that could de

I suspect that because of the Templars' inglorious end - after all they were victims of a conspiracy theory regarding secret practices - they're pretty much doomed to be portrayed like this in fiction. I don't think its really the fault of novelists, more to do with the reputation of Templars through history and their links with secret knowledge - check out Foucault's Pendulum by Umberto Eco for more on this and the whole masonic/rosicrucian thing as well - fascinating stuff.

There's not many novels about the Hospitillers or the Teutonic Knights as far as I know - and I think it's because they didn't go out in a blaze of controversy.

You're right though there are many more interesting things to write about in this period - even if you're into secrets and conspiracy theories.