Knights Templar Continuity Theory
Summary
The Knights Templar Continuity Theory, extensively documented by researcher Dr. Sean Hross and others, posits that the Knights Templar were not destroyed in 1312 as officially recorded, but instead survived by founding Switzerland in 1291, establishing the Swiss banking system, and continuing their influence through modern institutions including Freemasonry, international banking, and military organizations. This theory connects medieval Templar activities to contemporary global power structures.
Historical Background
Official History
Founding (1119 CE):
- Founded by Hugues de Payens
- Official purpose: Protect pilgrims in Holy Land
- Recognized by Catholic Church at Council of Troyes (1129)
- Rule written by St. Bernard of Clairvaux
Rise to Power:
- Extensive donations across Europe
- Banking innovations (letters of credit)
- Military strength
- Tax exemption
- Direct papal authority
Suppression (1307-1312):
- Friday, October 13, 1307: Mass arrests in France
- Charges: Heresy, sodomy, idol worship
- Confessions under torture
- Grand Master Jacques de Molay burned at stake (1314)
- Official dissolution by Papal bull Vox in Excelso (1312)
Continuity Theory Claims
Survival Not Destruction: According to the continuity theory:
- Templars had advance warning of arrests
- Fleet escaped to Scotland, Portugal, and Switzerland
- Treasure moved to safe locations
- Network remained intact
- Official dissolution was cover for going underground
The Swiss Connection
Foundation Claims
1291 - Swiss Confederation:
- Traditional date: August 1, 1291 (Rütlischwur)
- Three cantons: Uri, Schwyz, Unterwalden
- Timing: Before Templar suppression in France (1307)
Hross Theory:
- Templars founded Switzerland as safe haven
- Swiss flag = Templar cross (white on red vs. red on white)
- Mountain fortress ideal for defense
- Neutral territory strategy
- Banking continuation
Evidence Presented
Timing Coincidence:
- Swiss confederation formed while Templars still powerful
- 16 years before French suppression
- Allows preparation for survival
Flag Symbolism:
- Templar battle flag: Red cross on white
- Swiss flag: White cross on red
- Inverse relationship suggests connection
Military Character:
- Swiss mercenary tradition
- Pike formations (similar to Templar tactics)
- Elite military reputation
- Neutral but heavily armed
Banking Origins:
- Templars pioneered international banking
- Swiss banking secrecy laws
- Continuation of financial services
- Gold storage tradition
Templar Sites in Europe
France
Commanderies Documented by Hross:
Peyrassol (Provence):
- "House of the Sun"
- Weird statues
- Hross chased by men with sledgehammers
- Active security protecting site
- Video: 42,316+ views
Ruou:
- Notorious commandery
- Parking lot for "Freemason soirée"
- Continuing activity
- Secret gatherings
Lorgues:
- Ancient stronghold
- Extensive Templar presence
- Church and commandery
- Historical center
Bras:
- Chapel and commandery
- Well-preserved
- Continuing ceremonies
Brignolles:
- House number 8 (Octogon)
- Templar house
- Symbolic location
Belgium
Villers le Temple:
- Near FN Herstal (weapons manufacturer)
- Military-industrial connection
- Templar commandery
- Continuing significance
Switzerland
Templar Churches:
- St. George church (mentioned by Hross)
- Templar street names
- Commandery ruins
- Symbolic architecture
Banking Centers:
- Basel (BIS headquarters)
- Zurich
- Geneva
- Historical Templar presence
Modern Continuation Claims
Swiss Guard
Vatican Swiss Guard:
- Oldest military unit in continuous operation
- Founded 1506
- Swiss mercenaries protecting Pope
- Continuing Templar tradition
- Colorful Renaissance uniforms
Symbolic Connection:
- Elite military unit
- Religious protection mission
- Swiss recruitment
- Continuation of Templar-vatican relationship
Banking System
Bank for International Settlements (BIS):
- Basel, Switzerland
- "Central bank of central banks"
- Templar banking continuation
- International financial control
Swiss Banking Secrecy:
- Origins in Templar protection of assets
- Continuation of secret financial services
- Safe harbor for global elite
- Templar treasure protection tradition
Private Banking:
- UBS, Credit Suisse
- Historical Templar connections
- Continuation of services
- Global financial influence
Military Organizations
Swiss Mercenaries:
- Medieval to modern tradition
- Service to foreign powers
- Elite military reputation
- Templar military tradition
Modern Military:
- Neutrality strategy
- Defensive fortress mentality
- Mountain warfare expertise
- Templar defensive tactics
Freemasonry
Templar Degrees:
- York Rite: Knights Templar degree
- Scottish Rite: Related degrees
- Order of the Temple
- Continuing initiation
Rosslyn Chapel (Scotland):
- Templar carvings
- Apprentice Pillar
- Possible treasure location
- Freemason connections
Modern Templar Orders:
- Sovereign Military Order of the Temple of Jerusalem
- Various neo-Templar groups
- Claiming continuity
- Charitable and fraternal activities
Symbolic Continuity
Templar Cross
Design:
- Red cross pattée
- Eight points (octagonal)
- Symbol of martyrdom
- Military identification
Modern Appearances:
- Swiss Army knife (cross logo)
- Police insignia
- Military decorations
- Corporate logos
Octagonal Symbolism
Eight-Pointed Star:
- Templar cross has eight points
- Octogon as Templar symbol
- Connection to Ishtar/Isis
- Star of Inanna
Modern Usage:
- Police hats (octagonal)
- Military insignia
- Corporate logos (Chase Bank)
- NATO symbolism (8 segments)
Red and White
Templar Colors:
- Red cross on white mantle
- Martyrdom symbolism
- Blood and purity
Swiss Colors:
- White cross on red field
- Inverse of Templar
- Continuation claim
Modern Institutions:
- Multiple flags
- Corporate colors
- Symbolic continuity
Connection to Octogon Theory
Hross Integration
Core Theory:
- Templars founded Switzerland
- Switzerland = Octogon base
- Octagonal symbolism = Templar identification
- Continuation through modern institutions
Evidence Chain:
- Templars suppressed (1307-1312)
- Switzerland formed (1291)
- Templar treasure moved to Swiss vaults
- Banking system established
- Swiss mercenaries deployed globally
- Modern institutions continue control
Control Mechanisms:
- Financial (Swiss banks)
- Military (mercenaries, modern police)
- Political (Freemasonry)
- Religious (Vatican Swiss Guard)
Historical Parallels
Military Elite
Templars:
- Warrior monks
- Elite training
- Religious fervor
- International network
Swiss Mercenaries:
- Professional soldiers
- Elite reputation
- Religious loyalty (Swiss Guard)
- International deployment
Modern Military:
- Special forces
- Private military companies
- Religious/protective ideology
- Global deployment
Banking Elite
Templars:
- First international bankers
- Letters of credit
- Safe deposit
- Wealth protection
Swiss Banks:
- International banking center
- Secrecy tradition
- Wealth protection
- Global financial hub
Modern Banking:
- International finance
- Offshore banking
- Secrecy jurisdictions
- Global wealth concentration
Critique and Analysis
Documented Evidence
Supporting:
- Templar sites exist and are preserved
- Swiss mercenary tradition is historical fact
- Swiss banking dominance is documented
- Templar-Freemason connections are claimed
- Timing coincidence (1291/1307)
Symbolic:
- Cross similarities
- Color schemes
- Octagonal patterns
- Military traditions
Unverified Claims
Speculative:
- Direct organizational continuity
- Treasure survival
- Secret coordination
- Specific bloodlines
- Ritual practices
Interpretive:
- Symbolic meanings
- Historical connections
- Modern manifestations
- Coordination claims
Alternative Explanations
Convergent Evolution:
- Similar military needs create similar structures
- Banking naturally concentrates in stable neutral territories
- Symbolism naturally recycles
- Coincidental similarities
Influence Without Continuity:
- Templars influenced later organizations
- But no direct organizational survival
- Inspiration vs. continuation
- Legacy without conspiracy
Implications for Understanding Power
Concentration of Power
Documented Concentrations:
- Swiss banking power (real)
- Military mercenary tradition (historical)
- Templar historical influence (documented)
- Masonic networks (documented)
Theoretical Continuation:
- If theory true: Ancient power continues
- If theory false: Power naturally concentrates similarly
- Either way: Understanding concentrations important
Modern Relevance
Banking Research:
- BIS power
- Swiss financial center
- Offshore banking
- Wealth inequality
Military Research:
- Mercenary companies
- Private military contractors
- Swiss Guard function
- Military symbolism
Institutional Research:
- Masonic influence
- Secret societies
- Elite networks
- Power preservation
Key Quotes
"The Templars founded Switzerland taking their Templar treasure with them, and today we still belong to them as their slaves." ~ Dr. Sean Hross
"The Templars were like young wild revolutionary aristocrats, rebels who had to fight for their kingdom. It was they who finally came up with the idea of democracy and Freemasonry." ~ Dr. Sean Hross
"Octogon is the symbol for the Templars and the Templar's Cross, and it's a secret code for the Templars and the Nazi Templars." ~ Dr. Sean Hross
"Real Present Day Knights Templar in Southern France and the base Switzerland." ~ Dr. Sean Hross video title
Further Research
The Templar Continuity Theory highlights areas for further investigation:
Historical Research:
- Templar survival in Scotland
- Portuguese Templar continuation (Order of Christ)
- Swiss founding documentation
- Banking history connections
Archaeological Research:
- Templar site excavations
- Treasure claims investigation
- Symbolic analysis
- Architecture studies
Modern Research:
- Swiss banking regulation
- Military symbolism standardization
- Masonic-Templar connections
- Elite network documentation
Whether or not organizational continuity exists, the concentration of financial and military power in Switzerland, combined with extensive Templar history in the region, makes this area significant for understanding modern power structures.