The Suppression Of The Templars In England.

a popular movement in behalf of the Templars and no ruler in Europe ivho offered them an effectual aid ? Some light might probably be thrown upon these points and on others connected with the fate of the Templars in France ancl other countries of Europe , but they do not form part of the subject designed to be treated of here . Suffice it to indicate one esjjeciai source of hostility to the Templars which has hardly been touched by historiansviz .

, , the bitter hatred entertained against them by the mendicant orders . Wheiwer we find Templars accused , tortured , suffering , there are Dominicans and Franciscans taking- the lead in the attack upon them . In the space of the two hundred years of its history the Order planted by the little band of nine French gentlemen , to defend the pilgrims going to Jerusalem , had grown into marvellous proportions . By the end of that period

it possessed , besides its bead-quarters or court in tbe island , of Cyprus , preceptories or branch establishments in all the countries of Europe . It numbered fifteen thousand Knights and a far greater number of servitors or aspirants . It exercised sway over two kingdoms , those of Cyprus ancl the Lesser Armenia : Its Grand Master took tbe title of King , ancl styled himself "by tbe grace of God . " His court was more thronged ancl splendid than that

of any prince . He hacl his ministers , who , by a complete and thorough organization , regulated the affairs of the Order in all the countries of Europe , and drew supplies from them for the central expenditure . In the chief kingdoms of Europe , the Order AVUS represented by officers named Grand Priors , AVIIO dwelt in magnificent palaces and kept up the most brilliant state . Though regarded with jealousyno doubtbthe kings and princesthe Templars had

, , y , always been able to live well with them , shielded either by their own conduct or by the fear which attached to their poAver . The prestige of religion was tbroAvn around them . They were the soldiers of Christendom against the Infidel . Thousands of them had laid clown their lives in the fruitless strue'o-le

to win the Holy Land from the Pagans . A Pope had constituted their Order , and assigned to them the white mantle and red cross for their habit . The reigning pontiff . vas head of their Order . Their rule was diwwn from St . Augustine , and was enlarged and perfected by St . Bernard . Suddenly astonished Europe heard , with infinite amazement , that the Knights of this famous Order hacl , on a certain day ( October 13 th , 1307 ) , been seized throughout France ancl most of the countries of Europehad been thrown into prisonancl

, , subjected to the direst tortures to make them confess to charges so incredible , so abominable , that to impute them to the meanest miscreant ancl caitiff midit seem outrageously absurd . Wonder followed upon wonder . Men heard that these famous Kni ghts , the very flower of Christendom , had in the great majority of instances confessed tbe truth of these accusations , branded themselves as apostates , practicers of magic , addicted to abominable crimes . But

while good men throughout Europe crossed themselves with pious horror aud shuddered as they thought of the terrible power of the evil one , all this time a portentious lie was being enacted , and a body of gallant Knights , no worse in their morals than other knights of their era , and far above most in hbrii aims , disciplined valour , and ready self-sacrifice , were being immolated to glut the revenge and replenish tbe exhausted coffers of the most unscrupulous and

daring , as well as one of the ablest monarcbs who ever ruled in France . In bis _ fierce struggle against Boniface VIII ., the most pretentious of Popes , Phili p the Fair had been constantl y met and thwarted by tbe Templars , pledged to devotion to the head of their Order . In his attempt to debase the coinage of the land to meet his exigencies , men in the garb of Templars hacl beaded the revolt which nearlcost Philibis kingdom and his lifeHe had

y p . sworn to take vengeance upon the Order . Then came read y to his hand accusations from base men , who , having belonged to the Order and been expelled , desired at once to gratif y their revenge , and save the lives forfeited to the law by their misdeeds , by pandering to the king ' s violent passions . The accusations