Chapters 13-24 (Binah 12-22, Hesed 23-24) Summary

Chapters 12-24 continue the flashback episode from the previous section. It is still early in Casaubon and Belbo's relationship, but Belbo and his associate Diotallevi have taken a liking to Casaubon and both men are eager to hear more about Casaubon's dissertation topics, the Templars. Belbo has noticed that many of the manuscripts that "lunatics" deliver to Garamond Press are related to the Knights Templar in some way and Belbo is eager to learn more about the group. The three men meet at Pilade's to have a drink and to talk.

Casaubon begins to tell a long tale covering the history of the Knights Templar. The knights began during the First Crusade. They were originally set up as a cross between a monastic order and a warrior society, monks that also fought to...