The Knights Templar were officially dissolved in 1312 by Pope Clement V through the papal bull Vox in excelso, issued during the Council of Vienne. The order, formally known as the Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Christ and of the Temple of Solomon, had been founded around 1119 to protect Christian pilgrims in the Holy Land. Over time, they amassed significant wealth, land, and political influence across Europe,operating an early form of bankingand maintaining a powerful military presence.