Conspiratorial medievalism: History and hyperagency in the far-right Knights Templar security imaginary

Imagery associated with the Knights Templar appears in public discourse and symbolism of many white supremacist nationalist groups. The 2011 Norwegian mass murderer cited Templars his manifesto, as did 2019 New Zealand shooter. crosses were on display at 2017 rally Charlottesville, North Carolina. To understand security imaginary behind these racialised medievalisms their contemporary animation within right-wing extremism, this article develops concept ‘conspiratorial medievalism’. blends a specific, racialised, romanticised vision history grammar conspiracy theory. This is characterised by (a) belief decline victimisation ‘righteous’ White Christendom; (b) sense threat posed Others betrayal insiders; (c) an anachronistic view near-omnipotent individual agency. Significantly, conspiratorial medievalism demonstrates aspiration to not merely combat ‘undue’ agency Others, but reclaim perform extreme themselves. Agency cast idiom medieval chivalry framed moral obligation righteous men. Although imagery may appear superficial, finds it important justificatory enabling for racist violence.