Assassins vs Templars
Steve Tibble explores how fear, loyalty, and faith shaped the two medieval orders – and how myth and memory transformed them into enduring symbols of secrecy, power, and intrigue
The Assassins and the Knights Templar are two of history’s most intriguing, enigmatic and legendary groups. While they may seem vastly different on the surface, their intertwined stories reveal a surprising number of parallels – from an almost fanatical strategy fuelled by the 'promise of death' to the nature of their downfall. Speaking to Emily Briffett, Dr Steve Tibble compares their stories, and reveals what these two organisations can tell us about medieval conflict, religion and power — and why they continue to captivate us today.
Steve Tibble is the author of Assassins and Templars: A Battle in Myth and Blood (Yale University Press, 2025).
Authors
Emily is HistoryExtra’s Content Producer (Podcasts). Before joining the BBC History team in 2021, Emily graduated with an MA in Public History from Royal Holloway, University of London