Modern Mysteries

Sword may have belonged to Knights Templar

By T.K. Randall
June 21, 2019 ·  13 comments

The Knights Templar were thought to have dug out the Caynton caves. Image Credit: Karl Friedrich Lessing The rusty blade was originally found by Mark Lawton in Shropshire's Caynton caves in the 1980s.

It wasn't until he decided to send the sword to a local auctioneers to get it evaluated that he learned that it likely belonged to the Knights Templar - a secretive and influential medieval monastic order.

It was certified by militaria specialist Caroline Dennard of Halls Fine Art, Shrewsbury."This is certainly a rare object and one which has all the hallmarks of a genuine sword from the 13th Century," she said. "In populated areas knights were the only people authorised by the King to carry weapons so it is a probable assumption that this was owned and carried by a Knight - and perhaps, given the discovery in Caynton caves in Shifnal, even a Templar."

Some historians believe that the caves had been carved out by the Knights Templar to act as a safe haven at a time when King Philip IV of France wanted to dismantle their order.

It is thought that the sword could fetch up to $1,900 at auction.

Source: Anglenews.com | Comments (13)

Tags: Knights Templar