Knights Templar

The Knights Templar were among the most famous of the Western Christian military orders. The organization existed for two centuries in the Middle Agesand were endorsed by the Roman Catholic Church around 1129. They became a favored charity throughout Christendom, and grew rapidly in membership and power. They also consisted of their distinguishable Templar knights, bearing white mantles with a red cross, were among the most skilled fighting units of the Crusades. In 1307, many of the Order's members in France were arrested and tortured to death because of their involvement in the crusades, which eventually led to the Templar being dumped by the church.

http://www.templarhistory.com/