Knights Templar in Brittany
Knights Templar in Brittany, also known locally as the red monks. Background In 1127, the Order of the Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Christ started fund-raising efforts throughout Western Europe so as to fund their crusading ambitions in the Holy Land. By 1129, these efforts enabled the Order to receive significant donations and political backing and secured the Church's official approval at the Council of Troyes. Local context It was during this time that the Order received donations from the Sovereign Duchy of Brittany, mainly related to lands around Retz. Duke Conan III, ceded property on the outskirts of the commercial city of Nantes and the capital, Rennes awarding market rights in Nantes. By 1139, Pope Innocent II had also granted the Order special privileges such as: Allowing the Order to build their own chapels and were not required to pay tithes; Exempting the Order from episcopal jurisdiction, except from the pope alone. The subsequent Duke, Conan IV further donated property. This enabled the Order to construct castles, farms and even whole villages like Vildé-Guingalan. They cleared expanses of land in northern Brittany for crops and animal husbandry, cultivated vineyards, producing wine and operating ovens and mills. They also promoted, fairs and