In 1129AD, the order of the Knights Templar was appointed by the Catholic Church as an elite fighting force to protect pilgrimages to the Holy Land.
Their power and wealyh increased naturally, with victories come spoils...and their's was said to include Holy relics. They opened protected trade routes through the Mediterranian/European area, and greatly contributed to spreading the wealth throughout.
Well, with great power and wealth come haters.
In 1307, Friday the 13th of October, a new Pope and a back stabbing French royal issued a death warrant for ALL of the Knights Templar.
What happened to the survivors and their treasure remains a mystery and a media gold mine...and to me, rock and roll history.