A Templar's Apprentice (27 page)

There was a group of warrior monks, the Poor Knights of the Temple of Solomon (or Knights Templar), who were an important and influential political and military body that functioned for nearly two centuries in the Holy Land and on three continents. Sworn to vows of
poverty and chastity, they were nonetheless one of the wealthiest and most powerful governing bodies during the Middle Ages, with an impressive maritime presence. Their work in banking and finance was the precursor of many of the financial systems in use today. At their height they were the protectors of the treasuries and crown jewels of both France and England.

I came across the history of the Templars accidentally, while researching Scotland for an adult novel I was doing at the time. I was immediately drawn into their intrigue, and the more research I did, the more I felt the need to write about them. Their story demanded that I find and develop a knight of character and caring. Little did I know that I would find two.

To my boys, Jim, James, and Conor: Your influence is clear on every page. You have my thanks and love, always.

To my fabulous editors Andrea Davis Pinkney and Eleni Beja: I can't thank you enough for taking a chance on a newcomer and embracing this completely insanely complicated little novel.

Special thanks are also given to Walter Lorraine, David Macaulay, Allen Say, and Fran Hodgkins, friends who each in their way, spearheaded this project into being. To Em S.K. Michael S. Kaulback, Grand Commander of Knights Templar of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, my Templar historian, for checking and rechecking all of the facts pertaining to the Templars, you have my undying gratitude. To Karen Brooks, for querying and calling me on the many details of fourteenth-century life. To Wolfman, for catching the porcupine and reminding me about the myths surrounding werewolves in the dark and superstitious time. And, finally, an enormous thank you to my favorite women: Eden Edwards, editorial coach extraordinaire, and Mary Plourde and Kim Biggs, whose constant and amazing insight into the detail of characters and place I could not have done without. To my mom and Ralph, thank you for always being there; I love you both. To my niece Amanda: You will love book two. It's all you, babe.

To Michael Baigent, Richard Leigh, and Henry Lincoln, the authors of
Holy Blood, Holy Grail
, I give my unending thanks, for so many of the backstory details that launched my love of research and of the Templar intrigue.

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This book was originally published in hardcover by Scholastic Press in 2009.

Copyright © 2009 by Kat Black. All rights reserved. Published by Scholastic Inc. SCHOLASTIC, SCHOLASTIC PRESS, and associated logos are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Scholastic Inc.

Cover art by Scott M. Fischer
Cover design by Christopher Stengel

Map by Kayley LeFaiver

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e-ISBN: 978-0-545-31195-3