THE Κ SIGHTS TEMPLARS. Η Their first aim and object had been, as before mentioned, simply to protect the poor pilgrims, on their journey backwards and forwards, from the sea-coast to Jerusalem ;* but as the hostile tribes of Mussulmen, which everywhere surrounded the Latin kingdom, were gradually recovering from the stupifying terror into which they had been plunged by tbe successful and exterminating warfare of the first crusaders, and were assuming an aggressive and threatening attitude, it was determined that the holy warriors of the Temple should, in addition to the protection of pilgrims, make the defence of the christian kingdom of Jerusalem, of the eastern church, and of all the holy places, a part of their particular profession. The two most distinguished members of the fraternity were Hugh de Payens and Geoflrey de St. Aldemar, or St. Omer, two valiant soldiers of the cross, who had fought with great credit t and renown at the siege of Jerusalem. Hugh de Payens was I chosen by the knights to be the superior of the new religious and military society, by the title of " The Master of the Temple ;" and he has, consequently, generally been called the founder of the order. The name and réputation of the Knights Templari speedily spread throughout Europe, and various illustrious pilgrims from the far west aspired to become members of the holy fraternity. Among these was Fulk, Count of Anjou, who joined the society as a married brother, (A.D . 1120,) and annually remitted the order thirty pounds of silver. Baldwin, king of Jerusalem, foreseeing that great advantages would accrue to the Latin kingdom by the increase of the power and numbers of these holy * Prima autem eorum profeasio qundque eia a domino Patriareha et reliquia episeopis in remissionem peccatorum injunctum est, ut via* et itinera, ad salutoni p&rcgrinorum contra latrouum ct incursaatium insidias, pro viribus oonscrvareut.— WiU. Tyr. lib. xii. cap, 7.