The Knights Templars.

the enemy , and who had given so many of their own brethren as martyrs to one of the noblest , but worst requitted causes , for which man ever drew the sword , were obliged to make an apology for their conduct . Their valour and resignation were

stigmatised as pride and cowardice , their bravest actions censured , and their prudent councils characterised as favourable to the Infidels . It is a matter of wonder to us that the religious Orders did not tear the Cross from their shoulders , and

abandoning such a thankless cause in imitation of kings and nobles , leave the Palestinian Christians to their own resources . Had they done so no one could have blamed them . *

The affairs in Palestine had reached a crisis , and John de Brienne , wearied of the unsubstantial honour of King of Jerusalem sailed for Europe , taking with him his daughter Violante , then a girl of thirteen . John intended marrying her to

some one who would relieve him from the crown , and so permit him once more to take up his residence in the west , for he looked upon the throne of Jerusalem as little better than exile . A council was summoned by the Pope to meet at

Ferentino to consider the state of the Holy Land . Pope Honorius III ., the Emperor Frederick , the Grand Master of the Hospitallers , the Grand Preceptor of the Templars in Italy , and other important personages were present . -j- The crown of Jerusalem and the hand of Violante were offered Frederick upon condition of his setting out without delay to

Palestine . To this he agreed , the marriage was solemnised , and Frederick swore on the Gospels to head the crusaders in person . He left port for Acre in August , 1227 , but alter being three days sick at sea , he returned to laud , pleading ill-health .

For this the Pope excommunicated him . His treatment of Violante was cruel in the exteme , for not only did he neglect her , but debauched her cousin who had accompanied her . John de Brienne was bitterly mortified , and ceased to

interfere in his son-in-law's affairs . The next year without obtaining pardon from the Pope , the Empex'or set out for Acre which he reached in September . Here he was coldly received . The Templars refused to march under his banners , as

the Pope had sent them strict injunctions to have nothing to do with him . The other Christians likewise avoided him , as an excommunicated person .

Finding that war was out of the question Frederick sent to the Sultan of Damascus saying , that he had not come with hostile intentions , but as a simple pilgrim to pay his devotions at Jerusalem , and proposed a treaty of peace . This was

agreed to , Frederick was put in nominal possession of Jerusalem , and marching to the Holy City , finding no one to crown him , he crowned himself in the Church of the Resurrection . The farce

played out he returned to Acre . None of the military Orders established themselves at this time . in Jerusalem , for they were well aware of what was meant by the Musselmen in surrendering Jerusalem to the Emperor , a surrender in name , but not in fact .

The Emperor was filled with a deadly hatred at the Templar's , whose stern refusal to have anything to do with him , galled his pride . Upon his return to Acre he put all engines in force to annoy and harm them . He posted archers at the city

gates to prevent them entering or leaving it , and placed soldiers in all the streets leading from them quarters , with instructions to insult them and the priesthood whenever they should appear . * The hatred which all classes of the community bore

him , not only on account of his excommunication , but also on account of his malignant cruelty and friendship with the Infidel , caused him at length to quit the Holy Land , amid the congratulations of the inhabitants , who returned thanks to God for

delivering them from his presence . He did not cease to persecute the Templars upon his arrival in Europe . He accused them of having endeavoured to deliver him up to the Saracens , and they retorted , and with justice , that he not only had

leagued with the enemy , but had striven to give up all the Christian cities into the hands of the Sultan of Cairo . Frederick furthermore charged the Templars , that " their haughty religion reared on the pleasures of the native barons of the land , waxes wanton , and we know on good authority , that Sultans and their trains are received with

pompous alacrity , within the gates of the Temple and that the Templars suffer them to celebrate secular plays , f and to perform their superstitious rights with invocation of Mahomet . " The Emperor had given instructions to his

Lieutenant to seize all the property of the Order in his possessions , and in retaliation the Templars drove the Teutons and other Germans out of