The role of the Knights Templar in the Middle Ages was primarily as a military and religious order founded in the early 12th century. Originally established to protect Christian pilgrims traveling to the Holy Land, the Templars quickly gained power and wealth through donations, land holdings, and banking activities. They became known for their distinctive white mantles adorned with a red cross and played a significant role in the Crusades by fighting battles and establishing fortifications. Over time, their influence spread, but they eventually fell out of favor with the monarchy and were suppressed in the early 14th century, leading to their dissolution.