Early 12th-early 14th century AD. A silver ring with shield-shaped flanges to the shank and a hexagonal bezel with inlaid silver equal armed cross glass inlay to the outside and gold filling to the inside of the cross. 10 grams, 22.69mm overall diameter, 19.39mm internal diameter (approximate ring size S 3/4 British; 9 1/2 USA; 19 1/2 Europe; 19 Japanese) (1"). Property of a London gentleman; acquired before 1970. The Order of the Knights Templar were a military organisation that was established to protect pilgrims on their journey to the Holy Land and whilst in the city of Jerusalem. The Order became a favoured charity throughout Christendom and grew rapidly in membership and power. Templar knights, in their distinctive white mantles with a red cross, were among the most skilled fighting units of the Crusades. Non-combatant members of the Order were involved in financial techniques that were an early form of banking, as well as building fortifications across Europe and the Middle East. With the eventual loss of the Holy Land, the Order began to decline and their extreme wealth came under close scrutiny from the Church and State alike, particularly by the French monarch Philip IV who was deeply in debt to the Order. Rumours circulated of secret initiations and black magic and the remaining members were arrested, tortured and eventually executed. The hexagonal shape to the bezel of this ring recalls the shape of the Temple of Solomon in Jerusalem.

Very fine condition.