The Knights Templars.

the parfciculers of the death of Walter le Bachelor , a knight , and Grand Preceptor of Ireland , whom the inquisitors stated had been slain by the Templars , because he would not conform fco their vicious practices . He answered that he Avas not

fully aware of the circumstances attending the brother ' s death . He had been guilty of disobedience to his superior , the Grand Prior of England , and the laAvs of the Order . He had been brought to London , and confined in fche

penetential cell , where he had died . Robert le Scott , a brother of twenty-six years standing , had been received at the Chateau Pelerin by the valiant Grand Master , William de Beaujeu . From levity of disposition he quitted the Order after it had been driven oufc of

Palestine , and absented himself for two years , during which period he cameto Rome , and confessed to the Pope's penetentiary , who imposed on him a heavy penance , and enjoined him to return to the Order , whereupon he went back , and resumed his habit

at Nicosia , in Cyprus , and was re-admifcfced by De Molar ' s command . On fche twenty-second clay of the inquiry , the following memorandum -was made ou the record of fche proceedings . " Brothers Philip de Mewes , Thomas de Burton ,

and Thomas de Staundon , were advised and earnestly exhorted to abandon their religious professions , who severally replied that they would rather die than do so . " Several lay witnesses , unconnected Avith the Order , Avere examined on

the 19 th and 20 th November , by the Inquisitor in the chapel of the Monastery of the Holy Trinity . William le Dorturer , a notary public ,

declared "that the Templars rose at midnight , and held their chapters before daAvn ; and he thought that the mystery and secrecy of the receptions were OAving fco a bad rather than a good motive , but declared that they had nofc acquired

or had attempted to acquire , anything unjustly . " Gilbert de Bruere , a clerk , knew of nothing , nor suspected them of anything more , than an excessive correction of their errring brethren . William Lambert , who had been formerly a

" messenger of the Temple , " knew nothing bad of the Templars , and thought them innocent of all the alleged crimes . Richard de Barton , a priest , and Radolp h de Rayndon , an old man , declared that they knew nothing oi the Order , or

of its members , but what was good and honourable . A provincial council of the clergy was held on

the 25 fch November , in Sfc . Paul ' s Cathedral , ivhen a Papal Bull was read . The Pope , in it , dwelt pathefcically upon the fearful crimes of fche Templars , and lamented the awful fall from their previous high estate ; that , hitherto , they had been

renowned throughout the world as the special champions of the faith , and the chief defenders of the Holy Land , whose affairs had been principally controlled by them ; the church had followed the Order Avith the plenfcifcude of its especial favour

and regard , had armed them with the emblem of the Cross againsfc fche enemies of Christ , had exalted fchem with much honour , enriched them with wealth , and strengthened them with many liberties and privileges . The Pope then Avrote of the sad report of their sins and iniquities Avhich

had reached his ears , a report which had filled him with bitterness and grief , disturbed his repose , smote him with horror , injured his health , and caused his body to waste away . He gave a long account of the crimes imputed to the Order ,

of the confessions and depositions that had been made in France , and then , in a paroxysm of grief , declared that the melancholy affair deeply moved all fche faithful , fchafc all Christianity was shedding tears of bitterness , overwhelmed with grief , and

clothed Avith mourning . He concluded by announcing , the assembly of a General Council afc Vienne , when the abolition of the Order should be pronounced , the disposal of its property settled , and that England should send representatives to this council .

Edward , finding that the Order was to be abolished , resolved to share in its wealth , aud seized upon its property . Thereupon the Pope wrote him ;—" Your conduct again begins to afford us no slight

cause of affliction , inasmuch as it hath been brought to our knowledge , from the report of several barons , that , in contempt of the Holy See , and without fear of offending the Divine Majesty , you have , of your own sole authority , distributed

to different persons the property which belonged formerly to the Order of the Temple in your dominions , Avhich you had got into your hands at our command , and which ought to have remained at our disposition We have ,

therefore , ordained that certain fit and proper persons shall be sent to your kingdom , and to all parts of the world Avhere the Templars are knoAvn to have had property , to take possession of the same , conjunctly with certain prelates specially deputed