The Knights Templars .

from him an explanation . Clement informed them of the charges preferred against the Order , whereupon the Grand Master demanded an immediate examination into the matter , and pledged himself to submit to the severest punishment , if the

Knights were found guilty . The Pope at once acknowledged his complete faith in their innocence , and to silence the report , expressed his willingness to hear their justification , although he did not require such proof for his own satisfaction .

This satisfied De Molai , and having nothing further to arrange with the Pope , he returned with his companions to Paris , and took up his residence in the Temple * The King , who was cognisant of all their

movements , was much disturbed at the tidings of their interview with the Pope . He was aware that the Knights needed only to declare their innocence to sway to their interests the vacillating Clement . He was delighted , however , at the return of the Grand Master to Paris , for many of the principal members of the Order hastened from the

preceptories in France , to see and converse with him upon the affairs of their different houses . He had the heads thus under his hand , and could crush them when he pleased . He communicated his intention to Clement , who displayed the

greatest reluctance to countenance the project , but the King knew how to manage him . He promised , upon the abolition of the Order , to expend all its immense riches in equipping an army for the recovery of the Holy Land . This was a

fanciful project of the Pope , for it was well known that tho Holy Land could not be recovered , or at least long held , on account of the immense hordes of barbaric antagonists who rendered it the scene of many fierce battles . The proposal , however ,

swept away the scruples of the Pope . It thus became a question of money , and it proves what a short-sighted politician the Pope was , in supposing that the king would draw the nuts from the fire for his eating , and be satisfied with the

danger of hnming his fingers in the attempt . The king made this proposition merely to bind the Pope to his side . Without him the abolition could

not oe effected , he being the head of the Order , and the only one to whom it owed allegiance and obedience . The Pope , however , insisted that the crimes of the Knights should first be provod . f The King , having received the consent of the

The Knights Templars .

Pope to the abolition , did not trouble him with the mode in which he intended to proceed against the Order . He did not care to risk the danger of a regular suit , which , from its length and formalities , would give the Knights an opportunity of

proving the groundlessness of the charges brought against them ; while , by the usual appeals , they could lengthen out the action till his death . This would have also shown them his ulterior designs , and allowed them , by assembling their forces , to

decide the question in a manner agreeable to the spirit of the times . Philip had no desire to refer the cause to arms . This would bring against him every sovereign in Europe , glad to seize such an opportunity of breaking his power . *

He accordingly assembled a secret council , presided over by William de Nbgaret . f This council resolved upon a course which became a precedent for the butcherings of St . Bartholomew aud Glencoe . It was determined that on the same day , and at the same hour , all the Templars in

France should be seized , kept m separate dungeons , and stripped of all they possessed . It was furthermore resolved to write to all the sovereigns in whose dominions the Templars had possessions , giving an account of the crimes for

which they were charged in France , and exhorting these princes to imitate the example of the king . By these means , the council hoped to deprive the Templars in France , of the assistance of their brethren in other countries . Perfect

secrecy was commanded to be preserved in the execution of these orders . Had the Templars become cognisant of this plot , they would either have taken up arms to defend themselves , or repaired to Cyprus , and bidden defiance to the

world . But their hour had come , their work was finished , and the noble Order had to fall like some giant oak smote by lightning , but whose remains , scattered over the earth , amaze the beholder with its enormous size , and the terribleness of its fall .

Orders were immediately despatched to all the governors of provinces , bailiffs , and seneschals , and to all magistates , to arrest all Templars resident or found within their jimisdictions ; and for this purpose to employ force , and , if necessary , to call upon the military or people to aid them . Upon the arrests being effected , the Knights were to be placed