Las cofradías y la introducción del Temple en los reinos de Aragón y Pamplona: guerra, intereses y piedad religiosa

Abstract

The order of the Temple was introduced in kingdoms of Aragon and Pamplona during the final years of the rule of Alfonso I, and especially after the issue of his controversial will in Bayonne (October 1131). However, during the early years of the consolidation of the order in these territories, as important as the power from the public authorities lead by Garcia Ramirez in Navarra and Ramon Berenguer IV in Aragon was the role played by a large number of local noblemen grouped in brotherhoods of laymen associated with the Temple. Thanks to the influence of these noblemen, the order had a network of sympathisers and supporters which attracted donations for the institution and helped to consolidate its economic base.