First Templar Nation: How Eleven Knights Created a New Country and a Refuge for the Grail

I have read a lot of books on the Templars. I have also read lots of alternative history books so I'm not biased against them. The book has an engaging style, and the intrigue and interconnection between the main players in this drama of the formation of Portugal as a country through the Templar lens is very interesting. I'd like to thank the author for getting me intrigued with geomancy and tellanic lines. I was not very familiar with this and I'd like to read more. I'd also like to thank the author for introducing me to the history of Portugal and the influence of the Templars upon it. Portugal has now made my list of countries I want to visit. Lastly, I'd like to thank the author for giving me something to mentally engage me during the pandemic. As I read it I can never tell what is fact, fiction or unknown and trying to figure it out has become very engaging. Having said that, that should not be part of the enjoyment of a seriously researched book, which is how this book is represented.Let me explain. the author make it seem like there were a dozen Templars all with some Portuguese connection that ran the Order, when there were hundreds of Templars in the Middle East fighting well documented battles, holding castles, etc... I understand the book is about Portugal, but the author makes it seem like the Templar Order consisted of 12 cousins with a dream of setting up their own country. He also implies Portugal was the primary seat of the Order, which is patently untrue. That the Templars had a intimate connection to Portugal is clear and that this continued after the persecution I also believe is clear, but it was not the center of gravity for the Order according to pretty much every history other than the author's. Which becomes a theme - the author against the world.My primary issue, at least on Amazon from the vast number of reviews and in the summary, is the portrayal of this book as a highly researched and frankly authoritative account of the subject. Having read it, I can't agree with these conclusions.I first got the inkling something was off when the author quotes a verse from Exodus that didn't sound right. It had been a while since I last read Exodus so out came the Bible. The verse the author cited did not say what he was claiming in the book. I looked at 2 more translations, but came up the same. The author 100% adds verbiage and changed the verse to fit his argument. He misrepresents other easily checked bible quotes as well.Then I started looking at the copious notes. Nearly every other sentence has an endnote. So the impression you get is this is thoroughly and seriously researched. This led me to the bibliography. A significant number of the books he uses as his sources are at best pseudo-histories, at worst debunked works even by most alternative history "experts" - such as Holy Blood Holy Grail and obscure documents he says he uncovered and translated himself or he references other books he himself has written. Normally I would be inclined to give an author the benefit of the doubt but when he already has been caught doctoring verses of the bible then frankly every other endnote becomes a question mark.He also likes to throw out his interpretation of the origin of words or place names, which seem to support his argument, but upon actual checking are completely false. As an example, he says the word "Sorcerer" is a corruption of a "Sourcerer" or someone who is sensitive to the earth's geomagnetic flows. Sounds maybe reasonable, until you check etymological sources/dictionaries - and none (as in not even one) agrees with the author's stated origin story. Sorcerer comes from the Latin for lots, as in casting lots, as in fortune telling. The word Source does derive from beginning, usually of a flow of water, but Sorcerer has zero historical connection to that word. Google it yourself. Another example is Jerusalem. The author says the name comes from Gar-esa-shalem which he translates as the perfect rock of Isis or something, again sounds interesting, but there is zero actual reference in any of the myriad of dictionaries and etymology sites that mention this interpretation. Neither of these definitions by the author are end noted, unlike nearly everything else in his book. The author has in effect become the Gnostic Master he claims the Templars are. He alone truly understands the true origin of these words.I learned from this book (I think), and honestly I am eager to continue to read it as I look for what will be his next claim to hidden knowledge the author alone is privy to, but at the end of the day I come away feeling like the author is doing an Ancient Aliens on me - "Could it be true, as the author believes, that...." Well I guess it could be, but likely not. Very disappointing.

The Templar Knights were warrior monks, they were very secretive because they had to be. They were strong Christians, but they were also syncretic in their beliefs, meaning they had to be careful in sharing such views. The members of their order (Knights, etc.) were sworn to protect & never reveal the most sacred of their secrets to outsiders; these secrets were only passed on to those members who believed and proved to be trustworthy, even on pain of torture/death. For many reasons, from then to today, there are questions as to what their true goals/aims were.I have ready many books on the Templar Knights. It was not until I read Freddy Silva's book, "First Templar nation", that I could see how much these particular knights were able to positively affect the whole of Western Europe & the Holy Lands from the earliest days of the Crusades until after the official end of their order in 1312 (arrest in 1307, execution of the last Grand Master, Jacques de Molay in 1314), by having established a strong Templar nation in Portugal (under the Burgundian Portuguese ruling dynasty), most notably by keeping the Moors from taking over the Iberian Peninsula (Portugal & Spain) and the rest of Western Europe for many decades.The banking procedures they initiated were controlled & kept safe due to their exceptional coding system. And their distinctive engineering skills were seen in the fortresses, buildings, and churches they built.The author, Freddy Silva, researched for 10 years, and was able to find documents/info unknown before, in Portugal, etc. He was born in Portugal.The Templar Knights were the richest & most powerful warrior monk order in Western Europe & the Holy Lands, for 200 years; this would never have happened, if they were just simple, peaceful monks living in the Holy Lands, during the Crusader period of wars/violence. Just because they were secretive & kept their archives hidden, one has to consider their prowess & presence, during the Crusader period & afterward, as stated above.

I have read several of Freddy Silva's books and this is my favorite! He details the creation of the Templars and WHY they were created. This book exposes that so much you think you know about the Templars is probably wrong. His story is carefully referenced (who knew so many documents from the 11th and 12th centuries can still be located?) and provides the answers to the questions of WHY the Templars went to the Holy Land, WHAT did they find there that caused this non-profit organization to become one of the richest in Europe, and WHERE is their richest treasure hidden? For anyone interested in the real story of the Templar Knights, this is a must-read!

These books are based on solid research, and are overflowing with information. In contrast to many other 'alternative-history' authors, Silva's books are all SUBSTANCE and no fluff. Every sentence carries some knowledges, no flowery rhetoric and empty, contrarian theories. If you watch his videos, you'll see what I mean, as they are the same way - just profoundly educational, very well done, and wonderfully presented. Just beware, sometimes it does feel like they were written in Portuguese and translated into English maybe not too skillfully, but if you take a moment, you'll get the meaning. Highly recommend.

Silva injects intelligent, questioning enthusiasm that makes the history come alive. This was most enjoyable and informative, even at times when it came close to stretching credulity. He takes the reader to the edge then draws back as if to invite the reader to exercise her own perspective and conclusions. This book will accompany me on my trek to Portugal as I trace it's history, interactions with other parts of the ancient (and not so ancient )world, and influences on the national gestalt. Obrigada, O Professor Silva! Apreciei o mundo que você revelou.

I have read this book twice! Thank you Freddy for doing an amazing job with your research. You have picked up the trail to the 'holy grail' and led us back to it. Your research and understanding of the principles of telluric currents, ancient architecture and esoteric principles are woven together into an amazing and understandable story that connects us to the spiritual lineage of the Essenes, our Self and true hermetic transformation. Your research into so many sources stems from a dedicated mind and pure heart. Now I have at least 5 more books I want to read above and beyond the rest of your books!This book weaves together and explains what many of us have searched for in esoterica. Too many dead ends and questions were left unanswered from the past. History books skimmed the surface. Much knowlege was destroyed by zealots during the Inquisition or was buried in the Vatican basement because it did not fit the political or religious regime at the time. After centuries of darkness, it is a work like this book that reveal the light that those before us left for us to follow.

This is definitely a book a fiction - an alternative history, a fantasy from the author's mind.The reader can clearly identify where the author's biases lie in his re-imagining of actual history and the origin of the Portuguese people and their language.It is an interesting read at certain brief moments but it would be terrible for any individual to accept any of the information in this book as factual.

There is so much of the Templar history, according to the historians, which did not ring true with me. This book throws all of it up in the air and comes to conclusions that actually make sense! The real reasoning behind the original formation of The Order explained, not the usual run of the mill... protecting the roads, treasure hunting, the original Illuminati. Freddy Silva has pieced together so much that other books take no notice of because they are simply reorganizing other peoples work. Rituals such as The Raising of the Dead Ceremony, so maligned by others, is explained here. If you want a truer view of these knights, read this, I can't recommend this book enough.

Certainly the best historical story of the Templars and the blood line since the “Holy Blood and the Grail.”Recommended to all seeking the truth about the Grail quest.

Fantastic read , full of information that would help anyone with any Interest in the subject explore more or less depending on where and what your looking for .Couldn't put it down , also leads onto more of freddys books .