Origin of Credit Cards and The Knight Templars

Origin of Credit Cards

&

The Knight Templars

If I were to tell you that the origin of credit cards that all of us carry today to pay our bills, and purchases and to withdraw cash from Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) started in the thirteenth century some 750 ago you will think I am either mad, telling you a lie, or pulling your leg.  In fact I am telling you the truth, the literal Gospel truth that is supported by an overwhelming body of evidence.

Crusades

Without going into details of either the history or the reasons for the Crusades suffices to say that Europe (the Vatican, France, Germany and Spain) where outraged when on 18 October 1009 AD the Sixth Fatimid (Al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah) in Egypt ordered the complete destruction of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem.  Pope Urban II arranged people crusade.  This first crusade was annihilated by the Seljuk army when it reached modern day Istanbul.  It was followed by a second crusade of trained army that was assisted by the then persecuted Christian community when they crossed from Constantinople into Syria and Lebanon fighting its way to Jerusalem and bringing that Holy City under Christian control for the next 130 years.  The Knight Templars followed the Crusades and established their private niche in Jerusalem around 1120 AD.  Historian and scholars tell us that the Templars are reputed to having dug around Solomon Temple for a period of some 10 years and held onto secret relics and loots which may have included the elusive Holy Grail.   It is the Knight Templars that set the ‘template and moulds’ in place for the plastic cards that manufacturer of purses and wallets make attractive sleek slots to fit our visas, Master cards, Diners, AMX and number of other financial institution now compete to give and attract customers.  It is hard to believe that what is accepted as a norm today for commercial transactions did in fact started some 900 years ago.  

Once the crusaders had settled in Jerusalem pilgrims started coming from the various European countries.  At best of time the journey from any country in Europe to Jerusalem was hazardous.  In come the highly trained Knight Templars to the rescue.   The Templars established a safe route from Europe to Jerusalem with accommodation and safe escort along the way.  Instead of carrying money or valuables that could be lost or stolen arrangements were made whereby pilgrims deposited lump sum in advance with institution set up by the Templars (modern day banks) and were given vouchers that recorded expenditure incurred on the way to and from and in Jerusalem.  When a pilgrim   returned to Europe all expenses, be they food, accommodation, purchases etc were recorded and tabulated against initial deposit paid by the said pilgrim.  If refund was due it was given and if a shortfall was to be paid by the pilgrim it was paid.   Needless to say the final figure would have included either a lump sum or a scale fee for administrative charges and services provided by the Templars.  

The Templars became popular and rich throughout Europe and soon were seen as economic and curial threat to kings, especially France, and the Vatican.  They were dispossessed of their wealth and their leaders. Especially in France were burnt at stake.  Considerable number of them fled to other parts of Europe especially Scotland, Ireland and the Scandinavian countries.  In Scotland with the financial assistance of the Sinclair Family they built the Rosslyn Chapel, an identical geographical coordinate settings and structural replica to Solomon Temple.

In Scandinavia the Templars fought in the various Nordic wars that were raging at the time and the conclusion of which led to modern day map of Northern Europe.  It is interesting to say the least that the regalia of the Swiss Guards that are responsible for police, safety and day to day functioning of the Vatican is almost identical to that warn by the Knight Templars.    What did the Templars find in 9 plus years digging around the perimeters of Solomon Temple?  Where in the modern day world are these finds mysteriously hidden?  It is interesting to note that the modern day flag of Switzerland is almost a replica of the Knight Templar uniform.  

No this is not Dan Brown this is reality!

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