>>508166911At times, it appeared that the
64
Templars possessed the power to make or break a monarchโs career
according to their desire.
Their political influence spread in direct proportion to their huge
banking operation. In fact, the modern institution of banking, in which
money can be deposited in one location and withdrawn in another, is a
Templar invention, along with the โchequeโ, likely named after the
โchequerboardโ pattern that was one of the Templarsโ most well๏ฟพrecognized motifs. This made it possible for pilgrims and travelers to journey safely without fear of roadside robbers, and the cheques were
unforgable, as they were written in sophisticated secret codes for which
the Templars became known. Almost every king or queen in Europe
banked with them, as well as a number of Muslim leaders whom they dealt
with on a regular basis. As Holy Blood, Holy Grail puts it, โThe Templars
thus became the primary money changers of the age, and the Paris
preceptory became the center of European finance.โ
