Despite that, variations of the Knights Templar 'splayed cross' was displayed prominently on the sails of Christian sailing ship, including Christopher Columbus and Vasco da Gama. It was also stylized into what became the 'Jolly Roger' pirate flag. It was actually the Knights Templar 'battle flag' that they suddenly hoisted when approaching an enemy ship. In addition, it was a secret sign on the 'High Seas' to those that knew they were Knights Templar at war with their enemies. If they were not an enemy, they had no fear.

 To this day you see the Christian Knights Templar "Jolly Roger" painted on American military aircraft, warships, and often flown as a flag on military vehicles. Yet few people even know what it truly means. Now, ...you are one of the few that does. A surviving remnant of the Knights Templar did in fact became 'pirates' but only in the sense that they attacked French and English ships sailing under the authority of the Catholic church that betrayed them. Then plundered their immense wealth and land holdings, branded them heretics, then brutally tortured and slaughtered them. Little known, the entire Knights Templar sailing fleet disappeared (put to sea by escaping Templars), who sailed through the Pillars of Hercules and northward to Portugal and Scotland. The Royal Stewarts were instrumental in providing the Knights Templar safe refuge in Scotland. The great seafaring nation of Portugal played a key role in providing safe refuge as well. Many others escaped over the Alps into Switzerland where to this day every household is armed to the teeth as mandated by law, by the Swiss government. The Templars are said to have started the Swiss 'secret account' banking system during that time of which continues to this day. The Knights Templar 'Jolly Roger' remains to this day the archetype symbol of pirates. The reason is that the Knights Templar were perhaps the most notorious, if not the most secretive and misunderstood 'pirates' in history with few ever knowing that they were Knights Templar. It is important to know that they were actually at war (not pirating) against a vicious and unscrupulous Catholic Church, French and English enemy. Of course, history written by the victors seldom portrays fact...

Something happened to all my information...I left, came back a few hours later and *poof* - Gone! Rogue wizards? Devilish Goblins? Internet Gremlins? Either way, I've been hoodwinked! Now I have to muster up the initiative ALL OVER again to type in those tiny boxes...Oddly enough, I'm not even mad nor frustrated...just somewhat annoyed.

C'est La Vie'

 Quinn