THEHISTORY

OF

TheKnightsTemplars

BYCHARLESG.ADDISON

SkyhorsePublishing

TheRedCrossKnights

“AndonhisbrestabloodiecrosseheboreThedeareremembranceofhisdyingLordForwhosesweetesakethatgloriousbadgeheboreAnddead(asliving)everhimador’dUponhisshieldthelikewasalsoscor’dForsovereignhopewhichinhishelpehehad;Rightfaithfultruehewasindeedandword;ButofhischeerdidseemtosolemnsadYetnothingdidhedreadbuteverwasydrad.

FaerieQueen

TheancientinscriptionontheTempleChurchasitstoodoverthedoorleadingintothecloister.

TOTHEMASTERSOFTHEBENCHOFTHEHONOURABLESOCIETIES

OFTHE

InnerandMiddleTemple,

THERESTORERSOF

TheAncientChurchoftheKnightsTemplars,THISWORK

IS

RESPECTFULLYDEDICATEDBY

THEAUTHOR.

PREFACE

THEextraordinaryandromanticcareerof theKnightsTemplars, theirexploitsandtheirmisfortunes,rendertheirhistoryasubjectofpeculiarinterest.

Born during the first fervour of the Crusades, they were flattered andaggrandizedaslongastheirgreatmilitarypowerandreligiousfanaticismcouldbemadeavailableforthesupportoftheEasternchurchandtheretentionoftheHolyLand, but when the crescent had ultimately triumphed over the cross, and thereligio-military enthusiasm of Christendom had died away, they encountered thebasestingratitudeinreturnfortheservicestheyhadrenderedtotheChristianfaith,and were plundered, persecuted, and condemned to a cruel death, by those whooughtinjusticetohavebeentheirdefendersandsupporters.Thememoryoftheseholywarriors is embalmed in all our recollectionsof thewarsof the cross; theywerethebulwarksoftheLatinkingdomofJerusalemduringtheshortperiodofitsexistence,andwerethelastbandofEurope’shostthatcontendedforthepossessionofPalestine.

Tothevowsofthemonkandtheausterelifeoftheconvent,theTemplarsaddedthedisciplineofthecamp,andthesterndutiesofthemilitarylife,joining

“Thefinevocationoftheswordandlance,Withthegrossaims,andbody-bendingtoilOfapoorbrotherhood,whowalktheearthPitied.”

Thevulgarnotion that theTemplarswereaswickedas theywere fearlessandbrave,hasnotyetbeenentirelyexploded;butitishopedthatthecopiousaccountofthe proceedings against the Order in this country, given in the ninth and tenthchaptersoftheensuingvolume,willtendtodispelmanyunfoundedprejudicesstillentertained against the fraternity, and excite emotions of admiration for theirconstancyandcourage,andofpityfortheirunmeritedandcruelfate.

MatthewParis,whowroteatSt.Albans,concerningeventsinPalestine,tellsusthattheemulationbetweentheTemplarsandHospitallersfrequentlybrokeoutintoopen warfare to the great scandal and prejudice of Christendom, and that, in apitchedbattlefoughtbetweenthem,theTemplarswereslaintoaman.ThesolitarytestimonyofMatthewParis,whowasnofriendtothetwoorders,isinvalidatedbythesilenceofcontemporaryhistorians,whowroteonthespot;anditisquiteevidentfromthelettersofthepope,addressedtotheHospitallers,theyearafterthedateoftheallegedbattle,thatsuchanoccurrencenevercouldhavetakenplace.

The accounts, even of the best of the ancient writers, should not be adopted

withoutexamination,andacarefulcomparisonwithothersourcesof information.WilliamofTyre,forinstance,tellsusthatNassr-ed-deen,sonofsultanAbbas,wastakenprisonerby theTemplars,andwhilst in theirhandsbecameaconvert to theChristian religion; that he had learned the rudiments of the Latin language, andearnestly sought to be baptized, but that the Templars were bribed with sixtythousand pieces of gold to surrender him to his enemies in Egypt,where certaindeath awaited him; and that they stood by to see him bound hand and foot withchains,andplacedinanironcage,tobeconductedacrossthedeserttoCairo.Nowthe Arabian historians of that period tell us that Nassr-ed-deen and his fathermurderedthecaliphandthrewhisbodyintoawell,andthenfledwiththeirretainersandtreasureintoPalestine;thatthesisterofthemurderedcaliphwroteimmediatelytothecommandantatGaza,whichplacewasgarrisonedbytheKnightsTemplars,offering a handsome reward for the capture of the fugitives; that they wereaccordingly intercepted, andNassr-ed-deen was sent to Cairo, where the femalerelationsof thecaliphcausedhisbody tobecut into smallpieces in the seraglio.The above act has constantly beenmade amatter of grave accusation against theTemplars;butwhatadifferentcomplexiondoesthecaseassumeonthetestimonyoftheArabianauthorities!

ItmustberememberedthatWilliamarchbishopofTyrewashostiletotheOrderonaccountofitsvastpowersandprivileges,andcarriedhiscomplaintstoageneralcouncilof thechurchatRome.He is abandoned, ineverything thathe says to theprejudiceof the fraternity,by JamesofVitry,bishopofAcre,a learnedandmosttalented prelate,whowrote inPalestine subsequently toWilliamofTyre, and hascopied largely from the history of the latter. The bishop of Acre speaks of theTemplarsinthehighestterms,anddeclaresthattheywereuniversallylovedbyallmen for theirpietyandhumility.“Nullimolestierant!” sayshe,“sed ab omnibuspropterhumilitatemetreligionemamabantur?”

The celebrated orientalistVonHammer has recently brought forward variousextraordinary and unfounded charges, destitute of all authority, against theTemplars; andWilcke, who haswritten aGerman history of theOrder, seems tohaveimbibedallthevulgarprejudicesagainstthefraternity.Imighthaveaddedtothe interest of the ensuingwork, bymaking the Templars horrible and atrociousvillains;butIhaveendeavouredtowriteafairandimpartialaccountoftheOrder,notslavishlyadoptingeverythingIfinddetailedinancientwriters,butsuchmattersonlyasIbelieve,afteracarefulexaminationofthebestauthorities,tobetrue.

It isasubjectofcongratulation tous thatwepossess, in theTempleChurchatLondon, the most beautiful and perfect memorial of the Order of the KnightsTemplarsnow inexistence.Noonewhohas seen thatbuilding in its latedressofplasterandwhitewashwill recognize itwhen restored to itsancientmagnificence.ThisvenerablestructurewasoneofthechiefecclesiasticaledificesoftheKnights

Templars inEurope,andstoodnext inrankto theTempleatJerusalem.AsIhaveperformed the pilgrimage to theHolyCity, andwandered amid the courts of theancientTempleof theKnightsTemplarsonMountMoriah, Icouldnotbut regardwithmorethanordinaryinteresttherestorationbythesocietiesoftheInnerandtheMiddleTempleoftheirbeautifulTempleChurch.

Thegreatestzealandenergyhavebeendisplayedbytheminthatpraiseworthyundertaking,andnoexpensehasbeenspared torepair theravagesof time,and tobringbackthestructuretowhatitwasinthetimeoftheTemplars.

In the summer I had the pleasure of accompanying one of the chief andmostenthusiasticpromotersof the restorationof thechurch (Mr.Burge,Q.C.)over theinteresting fabric, and at his suggestion the present work was commenced. I am,afraid that itwillhardlyanswerhisexpectations,andamsorry that the interestingtaskhasnotbeenundertakenbyanablerhand.

Temple,Nov.17,1841.

P.S.Mr.Willement,whoispreparingsomeexquisitelystainedglasswindowsforthe Temple Church, has just drawn my attention to the nineteenth volume of the“MÉMOIRESDELASOCIÉTÉROYALEDESANTIQUAIRESDEFRANCE,”publishedlastyear.ItcontainsamostcuriousandinterestingaccountofthechurchofBrelevennez,inthe department des Cotes-du-Nord, supposed to have formerly belonged to theOrderof theTemple,writtenby theChevalier duFREMANVILLE.Amongst variouscuriousdevices,crosses,andsymbolsfounduponthewindowsandthetombsofthechurch,isacoppermedallion,whichappearstohavebeensuspendedfromtheneckby a chain.This decoration consists of a small circle,withinwhich are inscribedtwoequilateraltrianglesplacedoneupontheother,soastoformasix-pointedstar.Inthemidstofthestarisasecondcircle,containingwithinittheLAMBoftheOrderof the Temple holding the banner in its fore-paw, similar to what we see on theancientsealoftheOrderdelineatedinthetitle-pageofthiswork.Mr.WillementhasinformedmethathehasreceivedanofferfromagentlemaninBrittanytosendovercastsofthedecorationsanddeviceslatelydiscoveredinthatchurch.Hehaskindlyreferred the letter tome for consideration, but I have not thought it advisable todelaythepublicationofthepresentworkforthepurposeofprocuringthem.

Mr.WillementhasalsodrawnmyattentiontoaverydistinctimpressionofthereverseofthesealoftheTempledescribedinpage106,whereonIreadveryplainlytheinterestingmotto,“TESTISSVMAGNI.”

CONTENTS

CHAPTERI.Origin of the Templars—The pilgrimages to Jerusalem—The dangers to which pilgrims were exposed—The

formationofthebrotherhoodofthepoorfellow-soldiersofJesusChristtoprotectthem—TheirlocationintheTemple—AdescriptionoftheTemple—OriginofthenameTemplars—HughdePayenschosenMasteroftheTemple—IssenttoEuropebyKingBaldwin—IsintroducedtothePope—TheassemblingoftheCouncilofTroyes—TheformationofaruleforthegovernmentoftheTemplars

CHAPTERII.

RegulaPauperumCommilitonumChristietCempliSalomonis.

Themostcuriouspartsof the ruledisplayed—Theconfirmationof the ruleby thePope—ThevisitofHughdePayens, theMasterof theTemple, toEngland—Hiscordial reception—Thefoundationof theOrder in thiscountry—LandsandmoneygrantedtotheTemplars—TheirpopularityinEurope—Therapidincreaseoftheirfraternity—St.Bernardtakesupthepenintheirbehalf—Hedisplaystheirvalourandpiety

CHAPTERIII.HughdePayensreturnstoPalestine—Hisdeath—RobertdeCraonmadeMaster—SuccessoftheInfidels—The

second Crusade—The Templars assume the Red Cross—Their gallant actions and high discipline—Lands,manors, and churches granted them in England—Bernard de TremelaymadeMaster—He is slain by theInfidels—Bertrand deBlanquefortmadeMaster—He is taken prisoner, and sent in chains toAleppo—ThePope writes letters in praise of the Templars—Their religious and military enthusiasm—Their war bannercalledBeauseant—Theriseoftherivalreligio-militaryorderoftheHospitalofSt.John

CHAPTERIV.The contests between Saladin and the Templars—The vast privileges of the Templars—The publication of the

bull, omne datum optimum—The Pope declares himself the immediate Bishop of the entire Order—Thedifferent classes of Templars—The knights—Priests— Serving brethren—The hired soldiers—The greatofficersoftheTemple—Punishmentofcowardice—TheMasteroftheTempleistakenprisoner,anddiesinadungeon—Saladin’s great successes—TheChristians purchase a truce—TheMaster of the Temple and thePatriarchHeracliusproceedtoEnglandforsuccour—TheconsecrationoftheTEMPLECHURCHATLONDON

CHAPTERV.TheTempleatLondon—ThevastpossessionsoftheTemplarsinEngland—TheterritorialdivisionsoftheOrder

—The different preceptories in this country— The privileges conferred on the Templars by the kings ofEngland—TheMastersoftheTempleatLondon—Theirpowerandimportance

CHAPTERVI.The Patriarch Heraclius quarrels with the king of England—He returns to Palestine without succour—The

disappointmentsandgloomyforebodingsoftheTemplars—TheypreparetoresistSaladin—Theirdefeatandslaughter—ThevaliantdeedsoftheMarshaloftheTemple—ThefatalbattleofTiberias—ThecaptivityoftheGrandMasterand the trueCross—ThecaptiveTemplarsareoffered theKoranordeath—Theychoosethe latter,andarebeheaded—Thefallof Jerusalem—TheMoslems takepossessionof theTemple—Theypurifyitwithrose-water,sayprayers,andhearasermon—TheTemplarsretiretoAntioch—TheirletterstothekingofEnglandandtheMasteroftheTempleatLondon—TheirexploitsatthesiegeofAcre

CHAPTERVII.RichardCoeurdeLionjoinstheTemplarsbeforeAcre—Thecitysurrenders,andtheTemplarsestablishthechief

houseof their orderwithin it—Coeurde lion takesuphis abodewith them—Hesells to them the islandofCyprus—TheTemplarsformthevanofhisarmy—Theirforagingexpeditionsandgreatexploits—CoeurdeLion quits theHolyLand in the disguise of aKnight Templar—TheTemplars build the Pilgrim’sCastle inPalestine—ThestateoftheOrderinEngland—KingJohnresidesintheTempleatLondon—Thebaronscometohimatthatplace,anddemandMagnaCharta—TheexploitsoftheTemplarsinEgypt—ThelettersoftheGrandMastertotheMasteroftheTempleatLondon—TheTemplarsreconquerJerusalem

CHAPTERVIII.TheconquestofJerusalembytheCarizmians—TheslaughteroftheTemplars,andthedeathoftheGrandMaster

—Theexploitsof theTemplars inEgypt—KingLouisofFrancevisits theTemplars inPalestine—Heassiststheminputtingthecountryintoadefensiblestate*HenryII.,kingofEngland,visitstheTempleatParis—ThemagnificenthospitalityoftheTemplarsinEnglandandFrance—Benocdar,sultanofEgypt,invadesPalestine—Hedefeats theTemplars, takes theirstrongfortresses,anddecapitatessixhundredof theirbrethren—TheGrandMaster comes to England for succour—The renewal of the war— The fall of Acre, and the finalextinctionoftheTemplarsinPalestine

CHAPTERIX.The downfall of theTemplars—The cause thereof—TheGrandMaster comes to Europe at the request of the

Pope—He is imprisoned,with all theTemplars inFrance, by commandofkingPhilip—Theyareput to thetorture, and confessions of the guilt of heresy and idolatry are extracted from them—Edward II. king ofEnglandstandsupindefenceof theTemplars,butafterwardspersecutes themat theinstanceof thePope—The imprisonment of the Master of the Temple and all his brethren in England—Their examination uponeighty-sevenhorribleandridiculousarticlesofaccusationbeforeforeigninquisitorsappointedbythePope—AcouncilofthechurchassemblesatLondontopasssentenceuponthem—ThecuriousevidenceadducedastothemodeofadmissionintotheOrder,andofthecustomsandobservancesofthefraternity

CHAPTERX.TheTemplarsinFrancerevoketheirrack-extortedconfessions—Theyaretriedasrelapsedheretics,andburntat

thestake—TheprogressoftheinquiryinEngland—ThecuriousevidenceadducedastothemodeofholdingthechaptersoftheOrder—Astothepenanceenjoinedtherein,andtheabsolutionpronouncedbytheMaster—TheTemplarsdrawupawrittendefence,whichtheypresenttotheecclesiasticalcouncil—Theyareplacedin separate dungeons, and put to the torture—Two serving brethren and a chaplain of theOrder thenmakeconfessions—ManyotherTemplarsacknowledgethemselvesguiltyofheresyinrespectoftheirbeliefinthereligiousauthorityoftheirMaster—Theymaketheirrecantations,andarereconciledtothechurchbeforethesouth door of Saint Paul’s cathedral—The order of theTemple is abolished by the Pope—The last of theMasters of the Temple in England dies in the Tower—The disposal of the property of the Order—ObservationsonthedownfalloftheTemplars

CHAPTERXI.

THETEMPLECHURCH.

The restoration of the Temple Church—The beauty andmagnificence of the venerable building—The variousstylesof architecturedisplayed in it—Thediscoveriesmadeduring the recent restoration—The sacrarium—The marble piscina—The sacramental niches—The penitential cell—The ancient Chapel of St. Anne—Historical matters connected with the Temple Church—The holy relics anciently preserved therein— Theinterestingmonumentalremains

CHAPTERXII.

THETEMPLECHURCH.

THEMONUMENTSOP THECRUSADERS—The tomb and effigy of Sir Geoffrey deMagnaville, earl ofEssex,andconstableoftheTower—Hislifeanddeath,andfamousexploits—OfWilliamMarshall,earlofPembroke, Protector of England—Of the Lord de Ross—Of William and Gilbert Marshall, earls ofPembroke—OfWilliam Plantagenet, fifth son ofHenry the Third—The anxious desiremanifested by kingHenrytheThird,queenEleanor,andvariouspersonsofrank,tobeburiedintheTempleChurch

CHAPTERXIII.

THETEMPLE.

Antiquities in the Temple—The history of the place subsequent to the dissolution of the Order of the KnightsTemplars—The establishment of a society of lawyers in the Temple—The antiquity of this society—Itsconnexion with the ancient society of the Knights Templars— An order of knights and serving brethrenestablishedinthelaw—Thedegreeoffrereserjen,orfraterserviens,borrowedfromtheancientTemplars—ThemodernTemplarsdividethemselvesintothetwosocietiesoftheInnerandMiddleTemple

CHAPTERXIV.

THETEMPLE.

TheTempleGarden—TheerectionofnewbuildingsintheTemple—ThedissolutionoftheOrderoftheHospitalof Saint John—The law societies become lessees of the crown— The erection of the magnificentMiddleTempleHall—Theconversionof theoldhall intochambers—Thegrantof the inheritanceof theTemple tothe two law societies— Their magnificent present to his Majesty—Their ancient orders and customs, andancienthospitality—Theirgrandentertainments—Reader’sfeasts—GrandChristmassesandRevels—Thefox-huntinthehall—ThedisputewiththeLordMayor—ThequarrelwiththecustosoftheTempleChurch

ERRATA.Innote,page6,forinfinitusreadinfinitis.page29,forcarrissime,readcarissime.page42,forAngli,readAnglia.page79,forpromptia,readpromptior.

page79forprincipos,readprincipes.page80forPatriarcha,readpatriarcham.

THE

KNIGHTSTEMPLARS

CHAPTERI.Origin of the Templars—The pilgrimages to Jerusalem—The dangers to which pilgrims were exposed—The

formationofthebrotherhoodofthepoorfellow-soldiersofJesusChristtoprotectthem—TheirlocationintheTemple—AdescriptionoftheTemple—OriginofthenameTemplars—HughdePayenschosenMasteroftheTemple—IssenttoEuropebyKingBaldwin—IsintroducedtothePope—TheassemblingoftheCouncilofTroyes—TheformationofaruleforthegovernmentoftheTemplars

“Yet‘midsthertoweringfanesinruinlaid,Thepilgrimsainthismurmuringvesperspaid;‘Twashistomountthetuftedrocks,androveThechequer’dtwilightoftheolive-grove:‘Twashistobendbeneaththesacredgloom,AndwearwithmanyakissMessiah’stomb.”

THE extraordinary and romantic institution of the Knights Templars, thosemilitaryfriarswhosostrangelyblendedthecharacterofthemonkwiththatofthesoldier,tookitsorigininthefollowingmanner:—

OnthemiraculousdiscoveryoftheHolysepulchrebytheEmpressHelena,themotherofConstantine,about298yearsafterthedeathofChrist,andtheconsequenterection,bycommandofthefirstChristianemperor,ofthemagnificentchurchoftheResurrection,or,asitisnowcalled,theChurchoftheHolySepulchre,overthesacred monument, the tide of pilgrimage set in towards Jerusalem, and went onincreasing in strength asChristianitygradually spread throughoutEurope.On thesurrenderoftheHolyCitytothevictoriousArabians,(A.D.637),theprivilegesandthe security of the Christian population were provided for in the followingguarantee, given under the hand and seal of the Caliph Omar to Sophronius thePatriarch.

“FromOMAREBNO‘LALCHITABtotheinhabitantsofÆLIA.”“Theyshallbeprotectedandsecuredbothintheirlivesandfortunes,andtheir

churchesshallneitherbepulleddownnormadeuseofbyanybutthemselves.”*Under the government of the Arabians, the pilgrimages continued steadily to

increase; the old and the young, women and children, flocked in crowds toJerusalem,and in theyear1064 theHolySepulchrewasvisitedbyanenthusiasticband of seven thousand pilgrims, headed by the Archbishop of Mentz and theBishops of Utrecht, Bamberg, and Ratisbon.† The year following, however,Jerusalemwas conquered by thewild Turcomans. Three thousand of the citizenswere indiscriminatelymassacred,and thehereditarycommandover theHolyCityandterritorywasconfidedtotheEmirOrtok,thechiefofasavagepastoraltribe.

Under the iron yoke of these fierce Northern strangers, the Christians werefearfully oppressed; they were driven from their churches; divine worship wasridiculedandinterrupted;andthepatriarchoftheHolyCitywasdraggedbythehair

ofhisheadoverthesacredpavementofthechurchoftheResurrection,andcastintoadungeon, toextortaransomfromthesympathyofhisflock.Thepilgrimswho,throughinnumerableperils,hadreachedthegatesoftheHolyCity,wereplundered,imprisoned,andfrequentlymassacred;anaureus,orpieceofgold,wasexactedasthepriceofadmissiontotheholysepulchre,andmany,unabletopaythetax,weredrivenbytheswordsoftheTurcomansfromtheverythresholdoftheobjectofalltheir hopes, the bourne of their long pilgrimage, and were compelled to retracetheirweary steps in sorrow and anguish to their distant homes.‡Themelancholyintelligenceoftheprofanationoftheholyplaces,andoftheoppressionandcrueltyof the Turcomans, aroused the religious chivalry of Christendom; “a nerve wastouchedofexquisitefeeling,andthesensationvibratedtotheheartofEurope.”

Then arose the wild enthusiasm of the crusades; men of all ranks, and evenmonksandpriests,animatedbytheexhortationsofthepopeandthepreachingsofPeter the Hermit, flew to arms, and enthusiastically undertook “the pious andglorious enterprize” of rescuing the holy sepulchre of Christ from the foulabominationsoftheheathen.

WhenintelligenceofthecaptureofJerusalembytheCrusaders(A.D.1099)hadbeen conveyed to Europe, the zeal of pilgrimage blazed forth with increasedfierceness;ithadgatheredintensityfromtheintervalofitssuppressionbythewildTurcomans,andpromiscuouscrowdsofbothsexes,oldmenandchildren,virginsandmatrons,thinkingtheroadthenopenandthejourneypracticable,successivelypressedforwardstowardstheHolyCity,withthepassionatedesireofcontemplatingtheoriginalmonuments of theRedemption.*The infidels had indeedbeendrivenoutofJerusalem,butnotoutofPalestine.The loftymountainsbordering thesea-coast were infested by bold and warlike bands of fugitive Mussulmen, whomaintained themselves in various impregnable castles and strongholds, fromwhence they issued forth upon the highroads, cut off the communication betweenJerusalem and the sea-ports, and revenged themselves for the loss of theirhabitationsandpropertybytheindiscriminatepillageofalltravellers.TheBedouinhorsemen,moreover,makingrapidincursionsfrombeyondtheJordan,frequentlykept up a desultory and irregular warfare in the plains; and the pilgrims,consequently,whethertheyapproachedtheHolyCitybylandorbysea,werealikeexposedtoalmostdailyhostility,toplunder,andtodeath.

*Elmacin,Hist.Saracen.Eutychius.† Ingulphus, the secretary ofWilliam the Conqueror, one of the number, states that he sallied forth from

Normandy with thirty companions, all stout and well-appointed horsemen, and that they returned twentymiserablepalmers,withthestaffintheirhandandthewalletattheirback—Baroniusadann.1064,No.43,56.

‡Will.Tyr.,lib.i.cap.10,ed.1564.

To alleviate the dangers and distresses to which these pious enthusiasts wereexposed,toguardthehonourofthesaintlyvirginsandmatrons,†andtoprotectthe

grayhairsofthevenerablepalmer,ninenobleknightsformedaholybrotherhoodin arms, and entered into a solemn compact to aid one another in clearing thehighways of infidels, and of robbers, and in protecting the pilgrims through thepassesanddefilesofthemountainstotheHolyCity.Warmedwiththereligiousandmilitary fervourof theday,andanimatedby the sacrednessof thecause towhichtheyhaddevoted their swords, they called themselves thePoorFellow-soldiers ofJesusChrist.Theyrenouncedtheworldanditspleasures,andintheholychurchoftheResurrection,inthepresenceofthepatriarchofJerusalem,theyembracedvowsofperpetualchastity,obedience,andpoverty,afterthemannerofmonks.‡Unitingin themselves the twomostpopularqualitiesof theage,devotionandvalour, andexercisingtheminthemostpopularofallenterprises,theprotectionofthepilgrimsandoftheroadtotheholysepulchre,theyspeedilyacquiredavastreputationandasplendidrenown.

*Omnibusmundipartibusdivitesetpauperes, juvenesetvirgines,senescumjunioribus, locasanctavisitaturiHierosolymampergerent.—Jac.deVitriaco.Hist.Hierosol.cap.Lxv

† “To kiss the holy monuments,” says William of Tyre, “came sacred and chaste widows, forgetful offemininefear,andthemultiplicityofdangersthatbesettheirpath.”—Lib.xviii.cap.5.

‡ QuidamautemDeoamabilesetdevotimilites,charitateferventes,mundorenuntiantes,etChristiseservitiomancipantes in manu Patriarchæ Hierosolymitani professione et voto solemni sese astrinxerunt, ut a prædictislatronibus, et viris sanguinum, defenderent peregrinos, et stratas publicas custodirent, more canonicorumregulariuminobedientiaet castitiateet sinepropriomilitaturi summon regi.Jac.DeVitr.Hist.Hierosol. apudGestaDeiperFrancos,cap.lxv.p.1083.––Will.Tyr. lib.xii.cap.7.Therewerethreekindsofpoverty.Thefirstand strictest (altissima) admitted not of the possession of any description of property whatever. The second(media) forbade thepossessionof individual property, but sanctioned any amount ofwealthwhen sharedby afraternityincommon.Thelowestwaswhereaseparatepropertyinsomefewthingswasallowed,suchasfoodandclothing,whilsteverythingelsewassharedincommon.Thesecondkindofpoverty(media)wasadoptedbytheTemplars.

Atfirst,wearetold,theyhadnochurchandnoparticularplaceofabode,butintheyearofourLord1118, (nineteenyears after the conquestof Jerusalemby theCrusaders), theyhad rendered suchgoodandacceptable service to theChristians,that Baldwin the Second, king of Jerusalem, granted them a place of habitationwithin thesacred inclosureof theTempleonMountMoriah,amid thoseholyandmagnificentstructures,partlyerectedbytheChristianEmperorJustinian,andpartlybuilt by theCaliphOmar,whichwere then exhibited by themonks and priests ofJerusalem,whoserestlesszealledthemtopractiseonthecredulityofthepilgrims,andtomultiplyrelicsandallobjectslikelytobesacredintheireyes,astheTempleofSolomon,whencethePoorFellow-soldiersofJesusChristcamethenceforthtobeknownbythenameof“theKnighthoodoftheTempleofSolomon.”*

AfewremarksinelucidationofthenameTemplars,orKnightsoftheTemple,maynotbealtogetherunacceptable.

By theMussulmen, the site of the great Jewish temple onMountMoriah hasalways been regardedwith peculiar veneration.Mahomet, in the first year of thepublicationoftheKoran,directedhisfollowers,whenatprayer,toturntheirfaces

towards it, andpilgrimageshaveconstantlybeenmade to theholyspotbydevoutMoslems.OntheconquestofJerusalembytheArabians,itwasthefirstcareoftheCaliph Omar to rebuild “the Temple of the Lord.” Assisted by the principalchieftainsofhisarmy,theCommanderoftheFaithfulundertookthepiousofficeofclearing thegroundwithhisownhands,andof tracingout the foundationsof themagnificent mosque which now crowns with its dark and swelling dome theelevatedsummitofMountMoriah.†

Thisgreathouseofprayer,themostholyMussulmanTempleintheworldafterthatofMecca,iserectedoverthespotwhere“SolomonbegantobuildthehouseoftheLordat JerusalemonMountMoriah,where theLordappeareduntoDavidhisfather, in the place that David had prepared in the threshing-floor of Ornan theJebusite.”Itremainstothisdayinastateofperfectpreservation,andisoneofthefinestspecimensofSaracenicarchitectureinexistence.Itisenteredbyfourspaciousdoorways,eachdoorfacingoneofthecardinalpoints;theBabelD’jannat,orgateof thegarden,on thenorth; theBabelKebla,orgateofprayer,on thesouth; theBabib’nelDaoud,orthegateofthesonofDavid,ontheeast;andtheBabelGarbi,onthewest.BytheArabiangeographersit iscalledBeitAllah, thehouseofGod,alsoBeitAlmokaddas,orBeitAlmacdes,theholyhouse.FromitJerusalemderivesits Arabic name, el Kods, the holy, el Schereef, the noble, and el Mobarek, theblessed; while the governors of the city, instead of the customary high-soundingtitlesofsovereigntyanddominion,takethesimpletitleofHami,orprotectors.

*Pantaleon,lib.iii.p.82.†D‘HerbelotBib.Orient,p.270,687,ed.1697.WilliamofTyre,wholivedatJerusalemshortlyafterthe

conquestofthecitybytheCrusaders,tellsusthattheCaliphOmarrequiredthePatriarchSophroniustopointoutto him the site of the temple destroyed by Titus, which being done, the caliph immediately commenced theerection of a fresh temple thereon, “Quo postea infra modicum tempus juxta conceptum mentis suæ feliciterconsummato,qualehodieHierosolymisessedinoscitur,multisetinfinitesditavitpossessionibus.”—Will.Tyr. lib.i.cap.2.

OntheconquestofJerusalembythecrusaders,thecrescentwastorndownfromthe summit of this famousMussulmanTemple, andwas replaced by an immensegoldencross,and theedificewas thenconsecrated to theservicesof theChristianreligion,butretaineditssimpleappellationof“TheTempleoftheLord.”William,Archbishop of Tyre and Chancellor of the Kingdom of Jerusalem, gives aninterestingaccountofthisfamousedificeasitexistedinhistime,duringtheLatindominion.Hespeaksofthesplendidmosaicwork,oftheArabiccharacterssettingforth thenameof the founder, and thecostof theundertaking, andof the famousrockunderthecentreofthedome,whichistothisdayshownbytheMoslemsasthespot whereon the destroying angel stood, “with his drawn sword in his handstretched out over Jerusalem.”* This rock he informs us was left exposed anduncoveredforthespaceoffifteenyearsaftertheconquestoftheHolyCitybythecrusaders,butwas,afterthatperiod,casedwithahandsomealtarofwhitemarble,

uponwhichthepriestsdailysaidmass.TothesouthofthisholyMussulmantemple,ontheextremeedgeofthesummit

ofMountMoriah,and restingagainst themodernwallsof the townofJerusalem,stands the venerable Christian church of the Virgin, erected by the EmperorJustinian, whose stupendous foundations, remaining to this day, fully justify theastonishingdescriptiongivenofthebuildingbyProcopius.Thatwriterinformsusthatinordertogetalevelsurfacefortheerectionoftheedifice,itwasnecessary,ontheeastandsouthsidesofthehill,toraiseupawallofmasonryfromthevalleybelow,andtoconstructavastfoundation,partlycomposedofsolidstoneandpartlyofarchesandpillars.Thestoneswereofsuchmagnitude,thateachblockrequiredtobetransportedinatruckdrawnbyfortyoftheemperor ’sstrongestoxen;andtoadmitofthepassageofthesetrucksitwasnecessarytowidentheroadsleadingtoJerusalem.TheforestsofLebanonyieldedtheirchoicestcedarsforthetimbersoftheroof,andaquarryofvariegatedmarble,seasonablydiscoveredintheadjoiningmountains,furnishedtheedificewithsuperbmarblecolumns.*Theinteriorofthisinteresting structure,which still remains at Jerusalem, after a lapse ofmore thanthirteencenturies,inanexcellentstateofpreservation,isadornedwithsixrowsofcolumns,fromwhencespringarchessupportingthecedarbeamsandtimbersoftheroof;andat theendof thebuilding isa roundtower,surmountedbyadome.Thevaststones,thewallsofmasonry,andthesubterraneancolonnaderaisedtosupportthe south-east angle of the platform whereon the church is erected, are trulywonderful, and may still be seen by penetrating through a small door, anddescending several flights of steps at the south-east corner of the inclosure.Adjoiningthesacrededifice,theemperorerectedhospitals,orhousesofrefuge,fortravellers, sick people, and mendicants of all nations; the foundations whereof,composed of handsome Roman masonry, are still visible on either side of thesouthernendofthebuilding.

* Erant porro in eodem Templi ædificio, intus et extra ex opere musaico, Arabici idiomatis literarumvetustissima monimenta, quibus et auctor et impensarum quantitas et quo tempore opus inceptum quodqueconsummatumfiieritevidenterdeclaratur…InhujussuperiorisaræmedioTemplumædificatumest,formaquidemoctogonum et laterum totidem, tectum habens sphericum plumbo artificiose copertum.… Intus vero in medioTempli,infrainterioremcolumnarumordinemrupesest,&c.—Will.Tyr. lib.i.cap2,lib.viii.cap.3.Inhocloco,suprarupemquæadhucineodemTemploconsistit,diciturstetisseetapparuisseDavidexterminatorAngelus.…Templum Dominicum in tanta veneratione habent Saraceni, ut nullus eorum ipsum audeat aliquibus sordibusmaculare; sed a remotis et longinquis regionibus, a temporibus Salomonis usque ad tempora præsentia, veniuntadorare.—Jac.deVitr.Hist.Hicrosol.cap.lxii.p1080.

On the conquest of Jerusalem by the Moslems, this venerable church wasconvertedintoamosque,andwascalledD’jaméalAcsa;itwasenclosed,togetherwiththegreatMussulmanTempleoftheLorderectedbytheCaliphOmar,withinalargeareabyahighstonewall,whichrunsaroundtheedgeofthesummitofMountMoriah, and guards from the profane tread of the unbeliever the whole of that

sacredgroundwhereononcestoodthegorgeoustempleofthewisestofkings.†When theHolyCitywas taken by the crusaders, theD’jamé alAcsa,with the

various buildings constructed around it, became the property of the kings ofJerusalem;andisdenominatedbyWilliamofTyre“thepalace,”or“royalhousetothesouthoftheTempleoftheLord,vulgarlycalledtheTempleofSolomon.”‡Itwasthis edificeor templeonMountMoriahwhichwas appropriated to theuseof thepoorfellow-soldiersofJesusChrist,astheyhadnochurchandnoparticularplaceofabode,andfromittheyderivedtheirnameofKnightsTemplars.*

*ProcopiusdeœdificiisJustiniani,lib.5.

‡ Quibus quoniamneque ecclesia erat, neque certumhabebant domicilium,Rex inPalatio suo, quod secusTemplumDominiadaustralemhabetpartem,eisconcessithabitaculum.—Will.Tyr.lib.xii.cap.7.Andinanotherplace, speaking of the Temple of the Lord, he says, Ab Austro vero domum habet Regiam, quæ vulgariappellationeTemplumSalomonwdicitur.—Ib.lib.viii.cap.3.

James ofVitry,Bishop ofAcre,who gives an interesting account of the holyplaces,thusspeaksoftheTempleoftheKnightsTemplars.“Thereis,moreover,atJerusalem another temple of immense spaciousness and extent, from which thebrethrenoftheknighthoodoftheTemplederivetheirnameofTemplars,whichiscalled the Temple of Solomon, perhaps to distinguish it from the one abovedescribed, which is specially called the Temple of the Lord.”† He moreoverinformsusinhisorientalhistory,that“intheTempleoftheLordthereisanabbotandcanonsregular;andbeitknownthattheoneistheTempleoftheLord,andtheothertheTempleoftheChivalry.Theseareclerks,theothersareknights.”‡

ThecanonsoftheTempleoftheLordconcededtothepoorfellow-soldiersofJesus Christ the large court extending between that building and the Temple ofSolomon; theking, thepatriarch,and theprelatesofJerusalem,and thebaronsoftheLatinkingdom,assignedthemvariousgiftsandrevenuesfortheirmaintenanceand support, § and the Order being now settled in a regular place of abode, theknightssoonbegan toentertainmoreextendedviews,and toseeka larger theatrefortheexerciseoftheirholyprofession.

Theirfirstaimandobjecthadbeen,asbeforementioned,simplytoprotectthepoor pilgrims, on their journey backwards and forwards, from the sea-coast toJerusalem;**butasthehostiletribesofMussulmen,whicheverywheresurroundedtheLatinkingdom,weregraduallyrecoveringfromthestupifyingterrorintowhichthey had been plunged by the successful and exterminating warfare of the firstcrusaders, and were assuming an aggressive and threatening attitude, it wasdeterminedthattheholywarriorsoftheTempleshould,inadditiontotheprotectionofpilgrims,makethedefenceoftheChristiankingdomofJerusalem,oftheeasternchurch,andofalltheholyplaces,apartoftheirparticularprofession.

ThetwomostdistinguishedmembersofthefraternitywereHughdePayensandGeoffreydeSt.Aldemar, orSt.Omer, twovaliant soldiersof the cross,whohadfoughtwithgreatcreditandrenownatthesiegeofJerusalem.HughdePayenswaschosenbytheknightstobethesuperiorofthenewreligiousandmilitarysociety,bythe title of “TheMaster of the Temple and he has, consequently, generally beencalledthefounderoftheOrder.

*QuiquoniamjuxtaTemplumDomini,utprædiximuinPalatioregiomansionemhabent,fratersmilitiæTemplidicuntur.—Will.Tyr.lib.xii.cap.7.

†EstpratereaHierosolymisTemplumaliud immensequantitatisetamplitudinis,aquo fratresmilitiæTempli,Templariinominantur, quodTemplumSalomonis nuncupatur, forsitan ad distinctionem alterius quod specialiterTemplumDominiappellatur.—Jac.deVitr.cap.62.

‡ InTemploDominiabbasestetcanonici regulares,et sciendumestquodaliudestTemplumDomini,aliudTemplummilitia.Isticlerici,illimilites.—Hist.Orient.JacdeVitr.apudThesaur.Nov.Anecd.Mariene, tom.iii.col.277.

§Will.Tyr.lib.xii.cap.7.** Prima autem eorum profession quodque eis a domino Patriarcha et reliquis episcopis in remissionem

peccatoruminjunctumest,utviasetitiners,adsalutemperegrinorumcontralatronumetincursantiuminsidias,proviribusconservarent.––Will.Tyr.lib.xii.Cap.7.

The name and reputation of theKnightsTemplars speedily spread throughoutEurope, and various illustrious pilgrims from the far west aspired to becomemembersoftheholyfraternity.AmongthesewasFulk,CountofAnjou,whojoinedthesocietyasamarriedbrother,(A.D.1120),andannuallyremittedtheOrderthirtypounds of silver. Baldwin, king of Jerusalem, foreseeing that great advantageswould accrue to theLatin kingdomby the increase of the power and numbers ofthese holy warriors, exerted himself to extend the Order throughout allChristendom,sothathemight,bymeansofsopoliticaninstitution,keepalivetheholyenthusiasmofthewest,anddrawaconstantsuccourfromtheboldandwarlikeracesofEuropeforthesupportofhisChristianthroneandkingdom.

St. Bernard, the holy abbot of Clairvaux, had been a great admirer of theTemplars.HewrotealettertotheCountofChampagne,onhisenteringtheOrder,(A.D.1123),praisingtheactasoneofeminentmeritinthesightofGod;anditwasdeterminedtoenlisttheall-powerfulinfluenceofthisgreatecclesiasticinfavourofthe fraternity. “By a vowof poverty and penance, by closing his eyes against thevisibleworld,by the refusalofallecclesiasticaldignities, theAbbotofClairvauxbecame theoracleofEurope,and the founderofonehundredandsixtyconvents.Princes and pontiffs trembled at the freedom of his apostolical censures: France,England,andMilan,consultedandobeyedhisjudgmentinaschismofthechurch:the debt was repaid by the gratitude of Innocent the Second; and his successor,EugeniustheThird,wasthefriendanddiscipleoftheholySt.Bernard.”*

Tothislearnedanddevoutprelatetwoknightstemplarsweredespatchedwiththefollowingletter:

“Baldwin,bythegraceoftheLordJesusChrist,KingofJerusalem,andPrinceof

Antioch,tothevenerableFatherBernard,AbbotofClairvaux,healthandregard.“The Brothers of the Temple, whom the Lord hath deigned to raise up, and

whom by an especial Providence he preserves for the defence of this kingdom,desiringtoobtainfromtheHolySeetheconfirmationoftheirinstitution,andarulefor their particular guidance,wehavedetermined to send toyou the twoknights,AndrewandGondemar,menasmuchdistinguishedbytheirmilitaryexploitsasbythesplendouroftheirbirth,toobtainfromthePopetheapprobationoftheirorder,andtodisposehisholinesstosendsuccourandsubsidiesagainsttheenemiesofthefaith,reunitedintheirdesigntodestroyus,andtoinvadeourChristianterritories.

*Gibbon.

“WellknowingtheweightofyourmediationwithGodandhisvicaruponearth,aswellaswiththeprincesandpowersofEurope,wehavethoughtfittoconfidetoyou these two importantmatters,whose successful issue cannotbeotherwise thanmostagreeable toourselves.Thestatutesweaskofyoushouldbesoorderedandarranged as to be reconcilablewith the tumult of the camp and the profession ofarms;theymust,infact,beofsuchanatureastoobtainfavourandpopularitywiththeChristianprinces.

“Doyouthensomanage,thatwemay,throughyou,havethehappinessofseeingthisimportantaffairbroughttoasuccessfulissue,andaddressforustoheaventheincenseofyourprayers.”*

SoonaftertheaboveletterhadbeendespatchedtoSt.Bernard,HughdePayenshimself proceeded to Rome, accompanied by Geoffrey de St. Aldemar, and fourother brothers of the Order, viz. Brother Payen de Montdidier, Brother Gorall,Brother Geoffrey Bisol, and Brother Archambauld de St. Amand. They werereceived with great honour and distinction by Pope Honorius, who warmlyapprovedof theobjects anddesignsof theholy fraternity.St.Bernardhad, in themeantime,takentheaffairgreatlytoheart;henegotiatedwiththePope,thelegate,and the bishops of France, and obtained the convocation of a great ecclesiasticalcouncilatTroyes,(A.D.1128),whichHughdePayensandhisbrethrenwereinvitedtoattend.Thiscouncilconsistedofseveralarchbishops,bishops,andabbots,amongwhichlastwasSt.Bernardhimself.TherulestowhichtheTemplarshadsubjectedthemselvesweretheredescribedbythemaster,andtotheholyAbbotofClairvauxwasconfidedthetaskofrevisingandcorrectingtheserules,andofframingacodeof statutes fit and proper for the governance of the great religious and militaryfraternityoftheTemple.

*Reg.ConstiletPrivileg.OrdinisCisterc.p.447.

CHAPTERII.

RegulaPauperumCommilitonumChristietCempliSalomonis.*

Themostcuriouspartsof the ruledisplayed—Theconfirmationof the ruleby thePope—ThevisitofHughdePayens, theMaster of theTemple, toEngland—His cordial reception—The foundation of theOrder in thiscountry—LandsandmoneygrantedtotheTemplars—TheirpopularityinEurope—Therapidincreaseoftheirfraternity—St.Bernardtakesupthepenintheirbehalf—Hedisplaystheirvalourandpiety.

“Parmi lescontradictionsquientrentdans legouvernementdecemondecen’enestpasunpetitequecetteinstitutiondemoinesarmées qui fontvoeudevivre là a fois enanachoretes etensoldats.”—Voltaire sur lesMaursetl’EspritdesNations.

“THERULEOFTHEPOORFELLOW-SOLDIERSOFJESUSCHRISTANDOFTHETEMPLEOFSOLOMON,” arranged by St. Bernard, and sanctioned by the Holy Fathers of theCouncilofTroyes,forthegovernmentandregulationofthemonasticandmilitarysocietyoftheTemple,isprincipallyofareligiouscharacter,andofanaustereandgloomycast.Itisdividedintoseventy-twoheadsorchapters,andisprecededbyashortprologue,addressed“toallwhodisdain to followafter theirownwills,anddesirewithpurityofmindtofightforthemosthighandtrueking,”exhortingthemtoputonthearmourofobedience,andtoassociatethemselvestogetherwithpietyand humility for the defence of the holy catholic church; and to employ a purediligence,andasteadyperseverance in theexerciseof their sacredprofession, sothat theymightshare in thehappydestinyreservedfor theholywarriorswhohadgivenuptheirlivesforChrist.

*Chron.Cisterc.AlbertusMiroeus.Brux.1641.Manricusadann.1128,cap.ii.Act.Syn.Tree. tom.x.edit.Labb.

The rule enjoins severe devotional exercises, self-mortification, fasting, andprayer,andaconstantattendanceatmatins,vespers,andonall theservicesof thechurch, “that being refreshed and satisfied with heavenly food, instructed andstablishedwithheavenlyprecepts,aftertheconsummationofthedivinemysteries,”nonemightbeafraidofthefight,butbepreparedforthecrown.Ifunabletoattendthe regular service of God, the absent brother is for matins to say over thirteenpater-nosters, for every hour seven, and for vespers nine. When any templardraweth nigh unto death, the chaplains and clerk are to assemble and offer up asolemnmassforhissoul;thesurroundingbrethrenaretospendthenightinprayer,andahundredpater-nostersaretoberepeatedforthedeadbrother.“Moreover,”saytheholyFathers,“wedostrictlyenjoinyou,thatwithdivineandmosttendercharityyedodailybestowasmuchmeatanddrinkaswasgiventothatbrotherwhenalive,untosomepoormanfor fortydays.”Thebrethrenare,onalloccasions, tospeaksparingly,and towearagraveandseriousdeportment.Theyare tobeconstant in

the exercise of charity and almsgiving, to have a watchful care over all sickbrethren,andtosupportandsustainalloldmen.Theyarenottoreceivelettersfromtheirparents,relations,orfriends,withoutthelicenseofthemaster,andallgiftsareimmediatelytobetakentothelatter,ortothetreasurer,tobedisposedofashemaydirect.Theyare,moreover,toreceivenoserviceorattendancefromawoman,andarecommanded,aboveallthings,toshunfemininekisses.

There is much that is highly praiseworthy in this rule, and some extractstherefromwillbereadwithinterest.

“VIII. In one common hall, or refectory,wewill that you takemeat together,where,ifyourwantscannotbemadeknownbysigns,yearesoftlyandprivatelytoaskforwhatyouwant.Ifatanytimethethingyourequireisnottobefound,youmustseekitwithallgentleness,andwithsubmissionandreverencetotheboard,inremembranceofthewordsoftheapostle:Eatthybreadinsilence,andinemulationof the psalmist, who says, I have set a watch upon my mouth; that is, I havecommunedwithmyselfthatImaynotoffend,thatis,withmytongue;thatis,Ihaveguardedmymouth,thatImaynotspeakevil.

“IX.Atdinnerandatsupper,lettherebealwayssomesacredreading.IfwelovetheLord,weoughtanxiously to longfor,andweought tohearwithmostearnestattention,hiswholesomewordsandprecepts…

“X.Letarepastoffleshthreetimesaweeksufficeyou,exceptingatChristmas,orEaster,orthefeastoftheBlessedMary,orofAllSaints.…OnSundaywethinkitclearlyfittingandexpedient that twomessesof fleshshouldbeservedup to theknightsandthechaplains.Butlettherest,towit,theesquiresandretainers,remaincontentedwithone,andbethankfultherefor.

“XI. Two and two ought in general to eat together, that onemay have an eyeuponanother…

“XII.On the secondand fourthdaysof theweek,anduponSaturday,we thinktwoor threedishesofpulse,orothervegetables,willbesufficientforallofyou,andsoweenjoinittobeobserved;andwhosoevercannoteatoftheonemayfeedupontheother.

“XIII.Butonthesixthday(Friday)werecommendtheLentenfood,inreverenceof thePassion, toallofyou,excepting suchasbe sick;and from the feastofAllSaintsuntilEaster,itmustbeeatenbutonceaday,unlessithappentobeChristmas-day,orthefeastofSaintMary,oroftheApostles,whentheymayeatthereoftwice;andsoatothertimes,unlessageneralfastshouldtakeplace.

“XIV.Afterdinnerandsupper,weperemptorilycommandthankstobegiventoChrist, thegreatProviderofall things,withahumbleheart,asitbecomesyou,inthechurch, if itbenearathand,andif itbenot, in theplacewherefoodhasbeeneaten. The fragments (the whole loaves being reserved) should be given withbrotherlycharitytothedomestics,ortopoorpeople.Andsoweorderit.

“XV. Although the reward of poverty, which is the kingdom of heaven, bedoubtlessdueuntothepoor,yetwecommandyoutogivedailyuntothealmonerthetenthofyourbreadfordistribution,athingwhichtheChristianreligionassuredlyrecommendsasregardsthepoor.

“XVI.Whenthesunleaveththeeasternregion,anddescendsintothewest,attheringingofthebell,orothercustomarysignal,yemustallgotocompline(eveningprayer;) butwewish you beforehand to take a general repast. But this repast weleavetotheregulationandjudgmentoftheMaster,thatwhenhepleasethyoumayhavewater,andwhenhecommandethyoumayreceiveitkindlytemperedwithwine:but thismustnotbedone tooplentifully,but sparingly,becausewe see evenwisemenfallawaythroughwine.

“XVII.Thecomplinebeingended,youmustgotobed.Afterthebrothershaveonce departed from the hall, itmust not be permitted any one to speak in public,exceptitbeuponurgentnecessity.Butwhateverisspokenmustbesaidinanundertone by the knight to his esquire. Perchance, however, in the interval betweenprayersandsleep,itmaybehoveyou,fromurgentnecessity,noopportunityhavingoccurredduringtheday,tospeakonsomemilitarymatter,orconcerningthestateofyourhouse,withsomeportionofthebrethren,orwiththeMaster,orwithhimtowhom the government of the house has been confided: this, then,we order to bedoneinconformitywiththatwhichhathbeenwritten:Inmanywordsthoushaltnotavoidsin;andinanotherplace,Lifeanddeathareinthehandsofthetongue.Inthatdiscourse, therefore, we utterly prohibit scurrility and idle words moving untolaughter,andongoingtobed,ifanyoneamongstyouhathutteredafoolishsaying,we enjoin him, in all humility, and with purity of devotion, to repeat the Lord’sPrayer.

“XVIII.Wedonotrequiretheweariedsoldierstorisetomatins,asitisplaintheothers must, but with the assent of the Master, or of him who hath been put inauthority by the Master, they may take their rest; they must, nevertheless, singthirteen appointed prayers, so that their minds be in unison with their voices, inaccordancewiththatoftheprophet:SingwiselyuntotheLord,andagain,Iwillsingunto thee in the sight of the angels. This, however, should always be left to thejudgmentoftheMaster…

“XX.Toalltheprofessedknights,bothinwinterandsummer,wegive,iftheycanbeprocured,whitegarments, that thosewhohavecastbehindthemadarklifemayknowthattheyaretocommendthemselvestotheirCreatorbyapureandwhitelife.Forwhatiswhitenessbutperfectchastity,andchastityisthesecurityofthesouland thehealthof thebody.Andunlesseveryknightshallcontinuechaste,heshallnotcometoperpetualrest,norseeGod,astheapostlePaulwitnesseth:Followafterpeacewithallmen,andchastity,withoutwhichnomanshallseeGod.…

“XXI.Letalltheesquiresandretainersbeclothedinblackgarments;butifsuch

cannotbefound,letthemhavewhatcanbeprocuredintheprovincewheretheylive,sothattheybeofonecolour,andsuchasisofameanercharacter,viz.brown.

“XXII. It is granted to none to wear white habits, or to have white mantles,exceptingtheabove-namedknightsofChrist.

“XXIII.Wehavedecreedincommoncouncil,thatnobrothershallwearskinsorcloaks, or anything serving as a covering for the body in the winter, even thecassockmadeofskins,excepttheybetheskinsoflambsoroframs…

“XXV.Ifanybrotherwishethasamatterofright,orfrommotivesofpride,tohavethefairestorbesthabit,forsuchpresumptionwithoutdoubthemeritstheveryworst.…

“XXX.Toeachoneof theknights let therebeallotted threehorses.Thenotedpovertyof theHouseofGod,andof theTempleofSolomon,doesnotatpresentpermitanincreaseofthenumber,unlessitbewiththelicenseoftheMaster…

“XXXI.Forthesamereasonwegrantuntoeachknightonlyoneesquire;butifthatesquireserveanyknightgratis,andforcharity,itisnotlawfultochidehim,nortostrikehimforanyfault.

“XXXII.WeorderyoutopurchaseforalltheknightsdesiringtoserveChristinpurityofspirit,horses fit for theirdailyoccasions,andwhatever isnecessaryfortheduedischargeoftheirprofession.Andwejudgeitfittingandexpedienttohavethehorsesvaluedbyeitherpartyequally,andletthepricebekeptinwriting,thatitmay not be forgotten. And whatsoever shall be necessary for the knight, or hishorses, or his esquire, adding the furniture requisite for the horses, let it bebestowed out of the same house, according to the ability of that house. If, in themeanwhile,bysomemischanceitshouldhappenthattheknighthaslosthishorsesintheservice,itisthedutyoftheMasterandofthehousetofindhimothers;but,onthis beingdone, theknight himself, through the loveofGod, shouldpayhalf theprice,theremainder,ifitsopleasehim,hemayreceivefromthecommunityofthebrethren.

“XXXIII.It is tobeholden, thatwhenanythingshallhavebeenenjoinedbytheMaster, or by him to whom the Master hath given authority, there must be nohesitation,butthethingmustbedonewithoutdelay,asthoughithadbeenenjoinedfromheaven:asthetruthitselfsays,Inthehearingoftheearhehathobeyedme.

“XXXV.When in the field,after theyshallhavebeensent to theirquarters,noknight,oresquire,orservant,shallgotothequartersofotherknightstoseethem,or to speak to them, without the Order of the superior before mentioned. We,moreover,incouncil,strictlycommand,thatinthishouse,ordainedofGod,nomanshallmakewarormakepeaceofhisownfreewill,butshallwhollyinclinehimselftothewilloftheMaster,sothathemayfollowthesayingoftheLord,Icamenottodomineownwill,butthewillofhimthatsentme.

“XXXVII.Wewillnot thatgoldorsilver,which is themarkofprivatewealth,

should ever be seen on your bridles, breastplates, or spurs, nor should it bepermittedtoanybrothertobuysuch.If,indeed,suchlikefurnitureshallhavebeencharitably bestowed upon you, the gold and silver must be so coloured, that itssplendour and beauty may not impart to the wearer an appearance of arrogancebeyondhisfellows.

“XL.Bags and trunks,with locks and keys, are not granted, nor can any onehavethemwithoutthelicenseoftheMaster,orofhimtowhomthebusinessofthehouse is intrusted after the Master. In this regulation, however, the procurators(preceptors)governinginthedifferentprovincesarenotunderstoodtobeincluded,northeMasterhimself.

“XLI. It is innowise lawful foranyof thebrothers to receive letters fromhisparents,orfromanyman,ortosendletters,withoutthelicenseoftheMaster,orofthe procurator. After the brother shall have had leave, they must be read in thepresenceoftheMaster,ifitsopleasethhim.If,indeed,anythingwhatevershallhavebeen directed to him from his parents, let him not presume to receive it untilinformationhasbeenfirstgiventotheMaster.ButinthisregulationtheMasterandtheprocuratorsofthehousesarenotincluded.

“XLII.Sinceeveryidlewordisknowntobegetsin,whatcanthosewhoboastoftheirownfaultssaybeforethestrictJudge?Theprophetshowethwisely,thatifweought sometimes tobe silent, and to refrain fromgooddiscourse for the sakeofsilence,howmuchtherathershouldwerefrainfromevilwords,onaccountofthepunishmentofsin.Weforbidtherefore,andweresolutelycondemn,alltalesrelatedbyanybrother,ofthefolliesandirregularitiesofwhichhehathbeenguiltyintheworld,orinmilitarymatters,eitherwithhisbrotherorwithanyotherman.Itshallnotbepermittedhim to speakwithhisbrotherof the irregularitiesofothermen,norofthedelightsofthefleshwithmiserablewomen;andifbychanceheshouldhearanotherdiscoursingofsuchthings,heshallmakehimsilent,orwiththeswiftfootofobedienceheshalldepartfromhimassoonasheisable,andshalllendnottheearofthehearttothevenderofidletales.

“XLIII.Ifanygiftshallbemadetoabrother,letitbetakentotheMasterorthetreasurer. If, indeed,his friendorhisparentwillconsent tomake thegiftonlyonconditionthatheusethithimself,hemustnotreceiveituntilpermissionhathbeenobtained from theMaster.Andwhosoever shall have receivedapresent, let it notgrievehimifitbegiventoanother.Yea,lethimknowassuredly,thatifhebeangryatit,hestrivethagainstGod.

“XLVI.Weareallofopinionthatnoneofyoushoulddaretofollowthesportofcatchingonebirdwithanother: for it isnotagreeableuntoreligionforyou tobeaddicteduntoworldlydelights,butratherwillinglytohearthepreceptsoftheLord,constantlytokneeldowntoprayer,anddailytoconfessyoursinsbeforeGodwithsighsandtears.Letnobrother,fortheaboveespecialreason,presumetogoforth

withamanfollowingsuchdiversionswithahawk,orwithanyotherbird.“XLVII.Forasmuchas itbecomethall religion tobehavedecentlyandhumbly

without laughter, and to speak sparingly but sensibly, and not in a loud tone, wespeciallycommandanddirecteveryprofessedbrotherthatheventurenottoshootinthewoodseitherwithalong-boworacrossbow;andforthesamereason,thatheventurenottoaccompanyanotherwhoshalldothelike,exceptitbeforthepurposeofprotectinghimfromtheperfidiousinfidel;neithershallhedaretohalloo,ortotalktoadog,norshallhespurhishorsewithadesireofsecuringthegame.

“LI.UnderDivineProvidence,aswedobelieve, thisnewkindofreligionwasintroduced by you in the holy places, that is to say, the union of warfare withreligion,so that religion,beingarmed,makethherwayby thesword,andsmiteththeenemywithoutsin.Thereforewedorightlyadjudge,sinceyearecalledKnightsof the Temple, that for your renowned merit, and especial gift of godliness, yeoughttohavelandsandmen,andpossesshusbandmenandjustlygovernthem,andthecustomaryservicesoughttobespeciallyrendereduntoyou.

“LII. Above all things, a most watchful care is to be bestowed upon sickbrothers,andlettheirwantsbeattendedtoasthoughChristhimselfwasthesufferer,bearing in mind the blessed words of the Gospel, I was sick, and ye visited me.These are indeed carefully andpatiently to be fostered, for by such is acquired aheavenlyreward.

“LIII.Wedirect the attendants of thosewhoare sick,with every attention, andwiththemostwatchfulcare,diligentlyandfaithfullytoadministertothemwhateverisnecessaryfortheirseveralinfirmities,accordingtotheabilityofthehouses,forexample,fleshandfowlsandotherthings,untiltheyarerestoredtohealth.

“LV.Wepermityoutohavemarriedbrothersinthismanner,ifsuchshouldseektoparticipateinthebenefitofyourfraternity; letboththemanandhiswifegrant,fromandaftertheirdeath,theirrespectiveportionsofproperty,andwhatevermoretheyacquireinafterlife,totheunityofthecommonchapter;and,intheinterim,letthemexerciseanhonestlife,andlabourtodogoodtothebrethren:buttheyarenotpermittedtoappearinthewhitehabitandwhitemantle.Ifthehusbanddiesfirst,hemustleavehisportionofthepatrimonytothebrethren,andthewifeshallhavehermaintenanceoutoftheresidue,andletherdepartforthwith;forweconsideritmostimproper that such women should remain in one and the same house with thebrethrenwhohavepromisedchastityuntoGod.

“LVI.Itismoreoverexceedinglydangeroustojoinsisterswithyouinyourholyprofession, for the ancient enemy hath drawnmany away from the right path toparadisethroughthesocietyofwomen:therefore,dearbrothers,thattheflowerofrighteousnessmayalwaysflourishamongstyou,letthiscustomfromhenceforthbeutterlydoneawaywith.

“LVIII.Ifanyknightoutofthemassofperdition,oranysecularman,wishethto

renounce the world and to choose your life and communion, he shall not beimmediately received, but, according to the saying of Paul, Prove the spirits,whether theybeofGod; and if so, let himbe admitted.Let the rule, therefore, bereadinhispresence;andifheshallhaveundertakendiligentlytoobeythepreceptsthereof,then,ifitpleasetheMasterandthebrotherstoreceivehim,letthebrothersbecalled together, and lethimmakeknownwith sincerityofmindhisdesire andpetitionuntoall.Then, indeed, the termofprobation shouldaltogether rest in theconsiderationandforethoughtoftheMaster,accordingtothehonestyoflifeofthepetitioner.

“LIX.We do not order all the brothers to be called, in every instance, to thecouncil, but thoseonlywhom theMaster shall know tobe circumspect, and fit togive advice; when, however, important matters are to be treated of, such as thegrantingofthelandofthefraternity,orwhenthethingdebatedimmediatelyaffectstheOrder itself, orwhen a brother is to be received, then it is fit that thewholesociety should be called together, if it please the Master, and the advice of thecommonchapterhavingbeenheard,thethingwhichtheMasterconsidereththebestandthemostuseful,thatlethimdo.…

“LXII.Althoughtheruleoftheholyfatherssanctionsthededicationofchildrentoareligiouslife,yetwewillnotsufferyoutobeburdenedwiththem,buthewhokindlydesirethtogivehisownsonorhiskinsmantothemilitaryreligion,lethimbringhimupuntilhearrivesatanagewhenhecan,withanarmedhand,manfullyrootout theenemiesofChrist from theHolyLand.Then, inaccordancewithourrule,letthefatherortheparentsplacehiminthemidstofthebrothers,andlayopenhispetitiontothemall.Foritisbetternottovowinchildhood,lestafterwardsthegrownmanshouldfoullyfallaway.

“LXIII. It behoves you to support, with pious consideration, all old men,according to their feebleness andweakness, anddutifully to honour them, and lettheminnowiseberestrictedfromtheenjoymentofsuchthingsasmaybenecessaryforthebody;theauthorityoftherule,however,beingpreserved.

“LXIV. The brothers who are journeying through different provinces shouldobservetherule,sofarastheyareable,intheirmeatanddrink,andletthemattendtoitinothermatters,andliveirreproachably,thattheymaygetagoodnameoutofdoors.Letthemnottarnishtheirreligiouspurposeeitherbywordordeed;letthemafford to all with whom they may be associated, an example of wisdom, and aperseveranceinallgoodworks.Lethimwithwhomtheylodgebeamanofthebestrepute,and,ifitbepossible,letnotthehouseofthehostonthatnightbewithoutalight, lest the dark enemy (from whom God preserve us) should find someopportunity. But where they shall hear of knights not excommunicated meetingtogether,weorder them tohasten thither,not considering somuch their temporalprofitastheeternalsafetyoftheirsouls.…

“LXVII.Ifanybrothershalltransgressinspeaking,orfighting,orinanyotherlight matter, let him voluntarily show his fault unto the Master by way ofsatisfaction.Iftherebenocustomarypunishmentforlightfaults,lettherebealightpenance;butif,heremainingsilent,thefaultshouldcometobeknownthroughthemediumofanother,hemustbesubjectedtogreaterandmoreseveredisciplineandcorrection. If indeed the offence shall be grave, let him be withdrawn from thecompanionshipofhisfellows,lethimnoteatwiththematthesametable,buttakehis repast alone. The whole matter is left to the judgment and discretion of theMaster,thathissoulmaybesavedatthedayofjudgment.

“LXVIII.But,aboveall things,caremustbetakenthatnobrother,powerfulorweak,strongor feeble,desirousofexaltinghimself,becomingproudbydegrees,or defending his own fault, remain unchastened. If he showeth a disposition toamend,letastrictersystemofcorrectionbeadded:butifbygodlyadmonitionandearnest reasoning hewill not be amended, butwill go onmore andmore liftinghimselfupwithpride,thenlethimbecastoutoftheholyflockinobediencetotheapostle,Takeawayevilfromamongyou.ItisnecessarythatfromthesocietyoftheFaithfulBrothersthedyingsheepberemoved.ButlettheMaster,whooughttoholdthe staff and the rod in his hand, that is to say, the staff that hemay support theinfirmities of the weak, and the rod that hemaywith the zeal of rectitude strikedownthevicesofdelinquents; lethimstudy,with thecounselof thepatriarchandwithspiritualcircumspection,toactsothat,asblessedMaximussaith,Thesinnerbenot encouraged by easy lenity, nor the sinner hardened in his iniquity byimmoderateseverity.…

“LXXI. Contentions, envyings, spite, murmurings, backbiting, slander, wecommandyou,withgodlyadmonition,toavoid,anddoyefleetherefromasfromthe plague. Let every one of you, therefore, dear brothers, studywith awatchfulmind that he do not secretly slander his brother, nor accuse him, but let himstudiously ponder upon the saying of the apostle, Be not thou an accuser or awhisperer among the people. But when he knoweth clearly that his brother hathoffended, let him gently and with brotherly kindness reprove him in private,accordingtothecommandmentoftheLord;andifhewillnothearhim,lethimtaketo him another brother, and if he shall take no heed of both, let him be publiclyreprovedintheassemblybeforeall.Fortheyhaveindeedmuchblindnesswhotakelittle pains toguard against spite, and thencebecome swallowedup in the ancientwickednessofthesubtleadversary.

“LASTLY. We hold it dangerous to all religion to gaze too much on thecountenance of women; and therefore no brother shall presume to kiss neitherwidow,norvirgin,normother,norsister,noraunt,noranyotherwoman.Let theknighthoodofChristshunfemininekisses,throughwhichmenhaveveryoftenbeendrawnintodanger,sothateach,withapureconscienceandsecurelife,maybeable

towalkeverlastinglyinthesightofGod.”*The above rule having been confirmed by a Papal bull, Hugh de Payens

proceeded to France, and from thence he came to England, and the followingaccountisgivenofhisarrival,intheSaxonchronicle.

“Thissameyear,(A.D.1128),HughoftheTemplecamefromJerusalemtotheking in Normandy, and the king received him with much honour, and gave himmuchtreasureingoldandsilver,andafterwardshesenthimintoEngland,andtherehewaswell receivedbyallgoodmen,andallgavehimtreasure,and inScotlandalso,and theysent inallagreat sum ingoldandsilverbyhim toJerusalem,andtherewentwithhimandafterhimsogreatanumberasneverbeforesincethedaysofPopeUrban.”†Grantsofland,aswellasofmoney,wereatthesametimemadeto Hugh de Payens and his brethren, some of which were shortly afterwardsconfirmed by King Stephen on his accession to the throne, (A.D. 1135). AmongtheseisagrantofthemanorofBisteleshammadetotheTemplarsbyCountRobertdeFerrara,andagrantofthechurchofLangefordeinBedfordshiremadebySimondeWahull,andSibyllahiswife,andWaltertheirson.

* Ego Joannes Michaelensis, Præsentis paginæ, jussu consilii ac venerabilis abbatis Clarævallensis, cuicreditumacdebitumhocfuit,humilisscribaesse,divinâgratiâmerui.––Chron.Cisterc.utsup.

†SeealsoHovedenapudXscript.page479.Hen.Hunting.ib.page384.

HughdePayens,beforehisdeparture,placedaKnightTemplarat theheadofthe Order in this country, who was called the Prior of the Temple, and was theprocurator and vicegerent of the Master. It was his duty to manage the estatesgranted to the fraternity, and to transmit the revenues to Jerusalem. He was alsodelegated with the power of admitting members into the Order, subject to thecontrolanddirectionoftheMaster,andwastoprovidemeansoftransportforsuchnewly-admittedbrethren to the far east, to enable them to fulfil thedutiesof theirprofession.AsthehousesoftheTempleincreasedinnumberinEngland,sub-priorscametobeappointed,andthesuperioroftheOrderinthiscountrywasthencalledtheGrandPrior,andafterwardsMasteroftheTemple.

ManyillustriousknightsofthebestfamiliesinEuropeaspiredtothehabitandthevows,buthoweverexaltedtheirrank,theywerenotreceivedwithinthebosomofthefraternityuntiltheyhadprovedthemselvesbytheirconductworthyofsuchafellowship. Thus, when Hugh d’Amboise, who had harassed and oppressed thepeopleofMarmontierbyunjustexactions,andhadrefusedtosubmittothejudicialdecisionoftheCountofAnjou,desiredtoentertheOrder,HughdePayensrefusedtoadmithimtothevows,untilhehadhumbledhimself,renouncedhispretensions,and given perfect satisfaction to those whom he had injured.* The candidates,moreover, previous to their admission, were required to make reparation andsatisfactionforalldamagedonebythematanytimetochurches,andtopublicorprivateproperty.

AnastonishingenthusiasmwasexcitedthroughoutChristendominbehalfoftheTemplars;princesandnobles,sovereignsandtheirsubjects,viedwitheachotherinheaping gifts and benefits upon them, and scarce awill of importancewasmadewithoutanarticleinit intheirfavour.Manyillustriouspersonsontheirdeathbedstookthevows,thattheymightbeburiedinthehabitoftheOrder;andsovereigns,quitting thegovernmentof theirkingdoms, enrolled themselvesamongst theholyfraternity,andbequeathedeventheirdominionstotheMasterandthebrethrenoftheTemple.

Thus,RaymondBerenger,CountofBarcelonaandProvence,ataveryadvancedage,abdicatinghisthrone,andshakingofftheensignsofroyalauthority,retiredtothe house of the Templars at Barcelona, and pronounced his vows (A.D. 1130)before brother Hugh de Rigauld, the Prior. His infirmities not allowing him toproceedinpersontothechiefhouseoftheOrderatJerusalem,hesentvastsumsofmoneythither,andimmuringhimselfinasmallcellintheTempleatBarcelona,hethereremainedintheconstantexerciseofthereligiousdutiesofhisprofessionuntilthe day of his death.*At the sameperiod, theEmperorLothaire bestowed on theOrder a large portion of his patrimony of Supplinburg; and the year following,(A.D.1131),AlphonsotheFirst,kingofNavarreandArragon,alsostyledEmperorofSpain,oneofthegreatestwarriorsoftheage,byhiswilldeclaredtheKnightsoftheTemplehisheirsandsuccessors in thecrownsofNavarreandArragon,andafewhoursbeforehisdeathhecausedthiswilltoberatifiedandsignedbymostofthebaronsofbothkingdoms.Thevalidityofthisdocument,however,wasdisputed,andtheclaimsoftheTemplarsweresuccessfullyresistedbythenoblesofNavarre;but in Arragon they obtained, by way of compromise, lands, and castles, andconsiderable dependencies, a portion of the customs and duties levied throughoutthekingdom,andofthecontributionsraisedfromtheMoors.†

*AnnalesBenedictini,tom.vi.page166.

ToincreasetheenthusiasminfavouroftheTemplars,andstillfurthertoswelltheir rankswith the best and bravest of theEuropean chivalry, St.Bernard, at therequestofHughdePayens,‡tookuphispowerfulpenintheirbehalf.Inafamousdiscourse“InpraiseoftheNewChivalry,”theholyabbotsetsforth,ineloquentandenthusiastic terms, the spiritual advantages and blessings enjoyed by the militaryfriars of the Temple over all other warriors. He draws a curious picture of therelative situations and circumstances of the secular soldiery and the soldiery ofChrist,andshowshowdifferentinthesightofGodarethebloodshedandslaughterperpetratedbytheone,fromthatcommittedbytheother.

This extraordinary discourse is written with great spirit; it is addressed “ToHugh,Knight ofChrist, andMaster of theKnighthoodofChrist,” is divided intofourteen parts or chapters, and commenceswith a short prologue. It is curiously

illustrativeofthespiritofthetimes,andsomeofitsmoststrikingpassageswillbereadwithinterest.

The holy abbot thus pursues his comparison between the soldier of theworldandthesoldierofChrist—thesecularandthereligiouswarrior.

“As often as thouwhowagest a secularwarfaremarchest forth to battle, it isgreatly to be feared lest when thou slayest thine enemy in the body, he shoulddestroytheeinthespirit,orlestperadventurethoushouldstbeatonceslainbyhimbothinbodyandsoul.Fromthedispositionoftheheart,indeed,notbytheeventofthe fight, is to be estimated either the jeopardyor the victoryof theChristian. If,fighting with the desire of killing another, thou shouldest chance to get killedthyself,thoudiestamanslayer;if,ontheotherhand,thouprevailest,andthroughadesire of conquest or revenge killest a man, thou livest a manslayer. … Ounfortunatevictory,when inovercoming thineadversary thou fallest intosin,andanger or pride having the mastery over thee, in vain thou gloriest over thevanquished…

*HistairedeLanguedoc,lib.xvii.p.407.†Hist,del’eglisedeGandersheim.MarianaderebusHispanis,lib.x.cap.15,17,18.Zuritaanalesdela

coronadeAragon,tom.i.lib.i.cap.52.Quarita,tom.ilib.ii.cap.4.‡ Semeletsecundo,ettertio,nifallor,petiistiame.Hugocarriaaime,uttibituisquecommilitonibusscriberem

exhortationissermonem,etadversushostilemtyrannidem,quia lanceamnon liceret, stilumvibrarem.ExhortatioS.BernardiadMilitesTempli,ed.Mabilom.Parisiis,1839,tom.i.col.1253to1278.

“What,therefore,isthefruitofthissecular,Iwillnotsay‘militia,’but‘malitia,’iftheslayercommittethadeadlysin,andtheslainperishetheternally?Verily,tousethewordsoftheapostle,hethatplowethshouldplowinhope,andhethatthreshethshould be partaker of his hope. Whence, therefore, O soldiers, cometh this sostupendous error?What insufferablemadness is this—towagewarwith so greatcostandlabour,butwithnopayexcepteitherdeathorcrime?Yecoveryourhorseswithsilkentrappings,andIknownothowmuchfineclothhangspendentfromyourcoatsofmail.Yepaintyourspears,shields,andsaddles;yourbridlesandspursareadornedonallsideswithgold,andsilver,andgems,andwithallthispomp,withashameful fury anda reckless insensibility, ye rushon todeath.Are thesemilitaryensigns,orare theynotrather thegarnishmentsofwomen?Canithappenthat thesharp-pointedswordof theenemywill respectgold,will it sparegems,will itbeunable to penetrate the silken garment? Lastly, as ye yourselves have oftenexperienced,threethingsareindispensablynecessarytothesuccessofthesoldier;hemust,forexample,bebold,active,andcircumspect;quickinrunning,promptinstriking;ye,however,tothedisgustoftheeye,nourishyourhairafterthemannerofwomen,yegatheraroundyourfootstepslongandflowingvestures,yeburyupyour delicate and tender hands in ample andwide-spreading sleeves.Among youindeed,noughtprovokethwarorawakenethstrife,buteitheranirrational impulseofanger,oran insane lustofglory,or thecovetousdesireofpossessinganother

man’slandsandpossessions.Insuchcausesitisneithersafetoslaynortobeslain.…

III.“ButthesoldiersofChristindeedsecurelyfightthebattlesoftheirLord,innowisefearingsineitherfromtheslaughteroftheenemy,ordangerfromtheirowndeath.When indeed death is to be given or received for Christ, it has nought ofcrimeinit,butmuchofglory.…

“And now for an example, or to the confusion of our soldiers fighting notmanifestlyforGodbutforthedevil,wewillbrieflydisplaythemodeoflifeoftheKnightsofChrist,suchasitisinthefieldandintheconvent,bywhichmeansitwillbemadeplainlymanifesttowhatextentthesoldieryofGODandthesoldieryoftheWORLDdifferfromoneanother.…ThesoldiersofChristlivetogetherincommonin an agreeable but frugal manner, without wives and without children; and thatnothing may be wanting to evangelical perfection, they dwell together withoutpropertyofanykind,*inonehouse,underonerule,carefultopreservetheunityofthespiritinthebondofpeace.Youmaysay,thattothewholemultitudethereisbutoneheart andone soul, aseachone inno respect followethafterhisownwillordesire,butisdiligenttodothewilloftheMaster.Theyareneveridlenorramblingabroad, but when they are not in the field, that they may not eat their bread inidleness, they are fitting and repairing their armour and their clothing, oremploying themselves in such occupations as thewill of theMaster requireth, ortheircommonnecessitiesrenderexpedient.Amongthemthere isnodistinctionofpersons; respect is paid to the best and most virtuous, not the most noble. Theyparticipateineachother ’shonour, theybearoneanother ’sburthens, that theymayfulfilthelawofChrist.Aninsolentexpression,auselessundertaking,immoderatelaughter, the leastmurmurorwhispering, if foundout,passethnotwithoutsevererebuke. They detest cards and dice, they shun the sports of the field, and take nodelight in that ludicrous catching of birds, (hawking), which men are wont toindulge in. Jesters, and soothsayers, and storytellers, scurrilous songs, shows andgames, they contemptuously despise and abominate as vanities and mad follies.Theycuttheirhair,knowingthat,accordingtotheapostle,itisnotseemlyinamantohave longhair.Theyarenevercombed,seldomwashed,butappear ratherwithroughneglectedhair, foulwithdust, andwith skinsbrownedby the sunand theircoatsofmail.

“Moreover,on theapproachofbattle theyfortify themselveswithfaithwithin,andwithsteelwithout,andnotwithgold,sothat,armedandnotadorned,theymaystrike terror into the enemy, rather than awaken his lust of plunder. They striveearnestly topossess strongandswifthorses,butnotgarnishedwithornamentsordeckedwithtrappings,thinkingofbattleandofvictory,andnotofpompandshow,andstudyingtoinspirefearratherthanadmiration

“SuchhathGodchosenforhisown,andhathcollectedtogetherashisministers

fromtheendsoftheearth,fromamongthebravestofIsrael,whoindeedvigilantlyandfaithfullyguardtheholysepulchre,allarmedwiththesword,andmostlearnedintheartofwar…”

“CONCERNINGTHETEMPLE.”“ThereisindeedaTempleatJerusaleminwhichtheydwelltogether,unequal,it

is true, as a building, to that ancient and most famous one of Solomon, but notinferior in glory. For truly, the entire magnificence of that consisted in corruptthings,ingoldandsilver,incarvedstone,andinavarietyofwoods;butthewholebeautyof this resteth in theadornmentofanagreeableconversation, in thegodlydevotion of its inmates, and their beautifully-ordered mode of life. That wasadmired for itsvariousexternalbeauties, this isvenerated for itsdifferentvirtuesandsacredactions,asbecomesthesanctityofthehouseofGod,whodelightethnotso much in polished marbles as in well-ordered behaviour, and regardeth puremindsmore than gildedwalls. The face likewise of this Temple is adornedwitharms,notwithgems,andthewall,insteadoftheancientgoldenchapiters,iscoveredaroundwithpendentshields.Insteadoftheancientcandelabra,censers,andlavers,thehouseisonallsidesfurnishedwithbridles,saddles,andlances,allwhichplainlydemonstratethatthesoldiersburnwiththesamezealforthehouseofGod,asthatwhichformerlyanimatedtheirgreatleader,when,vehementlyenraged,heenteredinto theTemple, andwith thatmost sacred hand, armed notwith steel, butwith ascourgewhichhehadmadeofsmall thongs,droveout themerchants,pouredoutthe changers’ money, and overthrew the tables of them that sold doves; mostindignantlycondemningthepollutionofthehouseofprayer,bythemakingofitaplaceofmerchandize.”

*i.e.Withoutanyseparateproperty.

“Thedevout armyofChrist, therefore, earnestly incitedby the exampleof itsking,thinkingindeedthattheholyplacesaremuchmoreimpiouslyandinsufferablypollutedbytheinfidelsthanwhendefiledbymerchants,abideintheholyhousewithhorsesandwitharms, so that from that, aswell as all theother sacredplaces, allfilthy and diabolical madness of infidelity being driven out, they may occupythemselvesbydayandbynight inhonourableandusefuloffices.TheyemulouslyhonourtheTempleofGodwithsedulousandsincereoblations,offeringsacrificesthereinwithconstantdevotion,notindeedofthefleshofcattleafterthemannerofthe ancients, but peaceful sacrifices, brotherly love, devout obedience, voluntarypoverty.”

“These thingsaredoneperpetuallyatJerusalem,and theworld isaroused, theislandshear,andthenationstakeheedfromafar.…”

St.BernardthencongratulatesJerusalemontheadventofthesoldiersofChrist,

anddeclaresthattheHolyCitywillrejoicewithadoublejoyinbeingridofallheroppressors, the ungodly, the robbers, the blasphemers, murderers, perjurers, andadulterers; and in receiving her faithful defenders and sweet consolers, under theshadowofwhoseprotection“MountZionshallrejoice,andthedaughtersofJudahsingforjoy.”

“Be joyful, O Jerusalem,” says he, “in the words of the prophet Isaiah, “andknowthatthetimeofthyvisitationhatharrived.Arisenow,shakethyselffromthedust,Ovirgincaptive,daughterofZion; arise, I say, and stand forthamongst themighty,andseethepleasantnessthatcomethuntotheefromthyGod.Thoushaltnomorebetermedforsaken,neithershallthylandanymorebetermeddesolate.…Liftup thine eyes round about, and behold; all these gather themselves together, andcometothee.ThisistheassistancesentuntotheefromonHigh.Now,now,indeed,through these is thatancientpromisemade to thee thoroughly tobeperformed. ‘Iwillmaketheeaneternaljoy,agloryfromgenerationtogeneration.’

“HAIL,therefore,Oholycity,hallowedbythetabernacleoftheMostHigh!HAIL,cityofthegreatKing,whereinsomanywonderfulandwelcomemiracleshavebeenperpetuallydisplayed.Hail,mistressofthenations,princessofprovinces,possessionofpatriarchs,motheroftheprophetsandapostles, initiatressofthefaith,gloryoftheChristian people,whomGod hath on that account always from the beginningpermitted to be visited with affliction, that thoumightest thus be the occasion ofvirtueaswellasofsalvation tobravemen.Hail, landofpromise,which, formerlyflowingonlywithmilkandhoneyforthypossessors,nowstretchestforththefoodof life, and themeans of salvation to the entireworld.Most excellent and happyland,Isay,whichreceivingthecelestialgrainfromtherecessofthepaternalheartin thatmost fruitful bosomof thine, hast produced such rich harvests ofmartyrsfromtheheavenlyseed,andwhosefertilesoilhastnolessmanifoldlyengenderedfruitathirtieth,sixtieth,andahundredfoldintheremainingraceofallthefaithfulthroughouttheentireworld.Whencemostagreeablysatiated,andmostabundantlycrammedwiththegreatstoreofthypleasantness,thosewhohaveseentheediffusearoundthem(eructant)ineveryplacetheremembranceofthyabundantsweetness,andtellofthemagnificenceofthyglorytotheveryendoftheearthtothosewhohavenotseenthee,andrelatethewonderfulthingsthataredoneinthee.”

“Gloriousthingsarespokenconcerningthee,CITYOFGOD!”

CHAPTERIII.HughdePayensreturnstoPalestine—Hisdeath—RobertdeCraonmadeMaster—SuccessoftheInfidels—The

second Crusade—The Templars assume the Red Cross—Their gallant actions and high discipline—Lands,manors, and churches granted them in England—Bernard de TremelaymadeMaster—He is slain by theInfidels—Bertrand deBlanquefortmadeMaster—He is taken prisoner, and sent in chains toAleppo—ThePope writes letters in praise of the Templars—Their religious and military enthusiasm—Their war bannercalledBeauseant—Theriseoftherivalreligio-militaryorderoftheHospitalofSt.John.

“Weheardthetecbir,sotheArabscallTheirshoutsofonset,whenwithloudappealTheychallengeheaven,asifdemandingconquest.”

HUGHDEPAYENS.A.D.1129.

HUGH DE PAYENS, having now laid in Europe the foundations of the greatmonastic and military institution of the Temple, which was destined shortly tospread its ramifications to the remotest quarters of Christendom, returned toPalestineattheheadofavaliantbandofnewly-electedTemplars,drawnprincipallyfromEnglandandFrance.

On their arrival at Jerusalem theywere receivedwith great distinction by theking, theclergy,and thebaronsof theLatinkingdom,agrandcouncilwascalledtogether, at which Hugh de Payens assisted, and various warlike measures wereundertakenfortheextensionandprotectionoftheChristianterritories.

ROBERTDECRAON.A.D.1136.

HughdePayensdied,however,shortlyafterhisreturn,andwassucceeded(A.D.1136) by the Lord Robert, surnamed the Burgundian, (son-in-law of Anselm,ArchbishopofCanterbury),who,afterthedeathofhiswife,hadtakenthevowsandthehabit of theTemplars.*Hewas a valiant and skillful general;† but theutmostexertionsofhimselfandhismilitarymonkswere found insufficient tosustain thetotteringempireoftheLatinChristians.

*Will.Tyr.lib.xiii.Cap.26;Anselmus,lib.iii.epistolarum.Epist.43,63,66,67;DuchesneinHist.Burg. lib.iv.cap.37

† Miles eximius et in armis strenus, nobilis carne et morinus, dominus Robertas cognomine BurgundioMagistermilitiæTempli.—Will.Tyr.lib.xv.cap.6.

ThefiercereligiousandmilitaryenthusiasmoftheMussulmenhadbeenagainaroused by the warlike Zinghis and his son Noureddin, two of the most famouschieftainsoftheage,whowereregardedbythedisciplesofMahometaschampionsthat could avenge the cause of the prophet, and recover to the civil and religiousauthorityofthecaliphthelostcityofJerusalem,andall theholyplacessodeeplyveneratedbytheMoslems.TheonewasnamedEmod-ed-deen,“Pillarofreligion;”andtheotherNour-ed-deen,“Lightofreligion,”vulgarly,Noureddin.TheTemplars

wereworstedbyoverpoweringnumbersinseveralbattles;andinoneofthesethevaliantTemplar,BrotherOdodeMontfaucon,wasslain.*EmodeddeentookTænza,Estarel,Hizam,Hesn-arruk,Hesn-Collis,&c.&c.,andclosedhisvictoriouscareerbythecaptureoftheimportantcityofEdessa.Noureddinfollowedinthefootstepsof the father: he obtained possession of the fortresses of Arlene, Mamoula,Basarfont,Kafarlatha; andoverthrewwith terrific slaughter theyoung JocelyndeCourtenay, in a rash attempt to recoverpossessionofhisprincipalityofEdessa.†The Latin kingdom of Jerusalem was shaken to its foundations, and the orientalclergy in trepidation and alarm sent urgent letters to thePope for assistance.TheholypontiffaccordinglycommissionedSt.Bernardtopreachthesecondcrusade.

EVERARDDESBARRES.A.D.1146.

TheLordRobert,MasteroftheTemple,wasatthisperiodBarkL.(A.D.1146)succeededbyEverarddesBarres,PriorofFrance,whoconvenedageneralchapterof theOrder at Paris,whichwas attended byPopeEugenius theThird, Louis theSeventh,kingofFrance,andmanyprelates,princes,andnobles, fromallpartsofChristendom.The second crusadewas there arranged, and theTemplars,with thesanctionofthePope,assumedtheblood-redcross,thesymbolofmartyrdom,asthedistinguishingbadgeoftheOrder,whichwasappointedtobewornontheirhabitsand mantles on the left side of the breast over the heart, whence they cameafterwardstobeknownbythenameoftheRedFriarsandtheRedCrossKnights.‡

EVERARDDESBARRES.A.D.1147.

At this famous assembly various donations were made to the Templars, toenablethemtoprovidemoreeffectuallyforthedefenceoftheHolyLand.BernardBaliol,throughloveofGodandforthegoodofhissoul,grantedthemhisestateofWedelee, in Hertfordshire, which afterwards formed part of the preceptory ofTempleDynnesley.ThisgrantisexpressedtobemadeatthechapterheldatEaster,inParis, in thepresenceof thePope, thekingofFrance,severalarchbishops,andonehundredandthirtyKnightsTemplarscladinwhitemantles.*Shortlybeforethis,theDukesofBrittanyandLorraine,andtheCountsofBrabantandFourcalquier,hadgiventotheOrdervariouslandsandestates;andthepossessionsandpowerofthefraternitycontinuedrapidlytoincreaseineverypartofEurope.†

*VireximiusfratermilitiæTempliOttodeMonteFalconis,omnesdemortesuâmoeroreetgemituconficiens,occisusest.––Will.Tyr.lib.xv.cap.6.

† Abulfeda, ad ann.Hegir. 534, 539.Will. Tyr. lib. xvi. cap. 4, 5, 7, 15, 16, who terras Zinghis, Sanguin.AbulfaradgeChron.’Syr.p.326,328.Will.Tyr.lib.xvi.cap,14.

‡OdodeDiogilo,p.33.Will,Tyr.lib.xii.cap.7;Jac.deVitr.cap.lxv.;Paul.Æmil.p.254;Monast.Angl.vol.vii.p.814.

Brother Everard des Barres, the newly-electedMaster of the Temple, havingcollected togetherall thebrethrenfromthewesternprovinces, joinedthestandard

ofLouis,theFrenchking,andaccompaniedthecrusaderstoPalestine.During the march through Asia Minor, the rear of the Christian army was

protected by theTemplars,who greatly signalized themselves on every occasion.OdoofDeuilorDiagolum, thechaplainofKingLouis,andhisconstantattendantupon this expedition, informs us that the king loved to see the frugality andsimplicity of the Templars, and to imitate it; he praised their union anddisinterestedness, admired above all things the attention they paid to theiraccoutrements, and their care in husbanding and preserving their equipage andmunitions ofwar: he proposed themas amodel to the rest of the army, and in acouncilofwaritwassolemnlyorderedthatallthesoldiersandofficersshouldbindthemselves in confraternity with the Templars, and should march under theirorders.‡

EVERARDDESBARRES.A.D.1148.

Conrad, emperor of Germany, had preceded King Louis at the head of apowerfularmy,whichwascuttopiecesbytheinfidelsinthenorthofAsia;hefledto Constantinople, embarked on board some merchant vessels, and arrived withonly a few attendants at Jerusalem,where hewas received and entertained by theTemplars,andwaslodgedintheTempleintheHolyCity.§ShortlyafterwardsKingLouisarrived,accompaniedbythenewMasteroftheTemple,EverarddesBarres;andtheTemplarsnowunfoldedforthefirsttimethered-crossbannerinthefieldofbattle.Thiswasawhitestandardmadeofwoollenstuff,havinginthecentreofittheblood-redcrossgrantedbyPopeEugenius.Thetwomonarchs,LouisandConrad,tookthefield,supportedbytheTemplars,andlaidsiegetothemagnificentcityofDamascus, “the Queen of Syria,” which was defended by the great Noureddin,“Lightofreligion,”andhisbrotherSaif-eddin,“Swordofthefaith.”

* In nomine sanctæ et individuæ Trinitatis omnibus dominis ct amicis suis, et Sanctæ Dei ecclesiae filiis,BernordusdeBalioloSalutem.Volonotumfieriomnibustamfuturisquampresentibus,quodprodilectioneDeietpro salute animae meae, antecesso-rumque meorum fratribus militibus de Templo Salomonis dedi et concessiWedelee,&c.….Hocdonumincapitulo,quodinOctavisPaschceParisiisfuitfeci,dominoapostolicoEugeniopræsente, et ipso rege Franciæ et archicpiscopo Seuver, et Bardell et Rothomagi, et Frascumme, et fratribusmilitibusTemplialbachlamideindutiscxxxpræsentibus.—Reg.Cart.S.Joh.Jerus. inBib.Cotton.NeroE.b.No.xx.fo.118.

†GalliaChristiananova,tom.i.col.486.‡OdodeDiogiiodeLudov.vii.profectioneinOrientem,p.67.

§RexperaliquotdiesinPalatioTemplariorum,ubiolimRegiaDomus,quæetTemplumSalomonisconstructafuitmanens,etsanctaubiquelocaperagrans,perSamariamadGalilæamPtolemaidamrediit.….ConveneratenimcumregemilitibusqueTempli,circaproximumJulium,inSyriamadexpugnationemDamasciexercitumducere.––OttoFrising,caг.58.

The services rendered by the Templars are thus gratefully recorded in the

followinglettersentbyLouis, theFrenchking, tohisministerandvicegerent, thefamousSuger,abbotofSt.Denis.

“Louis,by thegraceofGodkingofFranceandAquitaine, tohisbelovedandmost faithful friendSuger, thevery reverendAbbotofSt.Denis,healthandgoodwishes.

EVERARDDESBARRES.A.D.1148.

“…Icannotimaginehowwecouldhavesubsistedforeventhesmallestspaceoftimeintheseparts,haditnotbeenfortheir(theTemplars)supportandassistance,whichhaveneverfailedmefromthefirstdayIsetfootintheselandsuptothetimeofmydespatchingthisletter—asuccourablyaffordedandgenerouslyperseveredin. I therefore earnestlybeseech you, that as these brothers of the Temple havehitherto been blessed with the love of God, so now they may be gladdened andsustainedbyourloveandfavour.

“I have to inform you that they have lent me a considerable sum of money,whichmustberepaidtothemquickly,thattheirhousemaynotsuffer,andthatImaykeepmyword.…”*

Among the English nobilitywho enlisted in the second crusadewere the tworenowned warriors, Roger de Mowbray and William de Warrenne.† Roger deMowbraywasoneofthemostpowerfulandwarlikeofthebaronsofEngland,andwasoneof thevictorious leadersat the famousbattleof the standardhemarchedwithKingLouis toPalestine; fought under the banners of theTemple against theinfidels,and,smittenwithadmirationofthepietyandvalouroftheholywarriorsofthe Order, he gave them, on his return to England, many valuable estates andpossessions.AmongthesewerethemanorsofKilebyandWitheley,diverslandsinthe isle ofAxholme, the town ofBalshall in the county ofWarwick, and variousplaces in Yorkshire; and so munificent were his donations, that the Templarsconceded to him and to his heirs this special privilege, that as often as the saidRogerorhisheirsshouldfindanybrotheroftheOrderoftheTempleexposedtopublicpenance,accordingtotheruleandcustomofthereligionoftheTemplars,itshouldbelawfulforthesaidRogerandhisheirstoreleasesuchbrotherfromthepunishmentofhispublicpenance,without theinterferenceorcontradictionofanybrotheroftheOrder.*

EVERARDDESBARRES.A.D.1148.

Aboutthesameperiod,Stephen,kingofEngland,forthehealthofhisownsoulandthatofQueenMatildahiswife,andforthegoodofthesoulsofKingHenry,hisgrandfather,andEustace,hisson,andallhisotherchildren,grantedandconfirmedtoGodand theblessedVirginMary, and to thebrethrenof theknighthoodof theTempleofSolomonatJerusalem,allthemanorofCressynge,withtheadvowsonofthe churchof the samemanor, and also themanorsofEgle andWitham.†Queen

Matilda, likewise, for the good of the souls of Earl Eustace, her father, the LordStephen,kingofEngland,herhusband,andofallherotherchildren,granted“tothebrethren of the Temple at Jerusalem” the manor of Covele or Cowley inOxfordshire,twomillsinthesamecounty,commonofpastureinShotoverforest,andthechurchofStrettoninRutland.‡RalphdeHastingsandWilliamdeHastingsalso gave to the Templars, in the same reign, (A.D. 1152), lands at Hurst andWyxham in Yorkshire, afterwards formed into the preceptory of Temple Hurst.WilliamAshebygranted themtheestatewhereon thehouseandchurchofTempleBruere were afterwards erected;§ and the Order continued rapidly to increase inpower and wealth in England and in all parts of Europe, through the charitabledonationsofpiousChristians.

*LudoviciregisadabbatemSugeriumepist.58.—Duchesnehist,franc,scrip, tom,iv.p.512;seealsoepist.59,ibid.

†SimeonisDunelmensishist,adann.1148,apudXscript.

EVERARDDESBARRES.A.D.1149.

Afterthemiserablefailureofthesecondcrusade,**brotherEverarddesBarres,theMasterof theTemple, returned toParis,withhis friend andpatronLouis, theFrench king; and the Templars, deprived of their chief, were now left alone andunaided to withstand the victorious career of the fanatical Mussulmen. TheirmiserablesituationisthusportrayedinamelancholyletterfromthetreasureroftheOrder,writtentotheMaster,EverarddesBarres,duringhissojournatthecourtofthekingofFrance.

“Since we have been deprived of your beloved presence, we have had themisfortune to lose in battle the prince of Antioch†† and all his nobility. To thiscatastrophe has succeeded another. The infidels invaded the territory of Antioch;theydroveallbeforethem,andthrewgarrisonsintoseveralstrongplaces.Onthefirst intelligence of this disaster, our brethren assembled in arms, and in concertwiththekingofJerusalemwenttothesuccourofthedesolatedprovince.Wecouldonly get together for this expedition one hundred and twenty knights and onethousand serving brothers and hired soldiers, for whose equipment we expendedseven thousand crowns at Acre, and one thousand at Jerusalem. Your paternityknowsonwhatconditionweassented toyourdeparture,andourextremewantofmoney,ofcavalry,andofinfantry.Weearnestlyimploreyoutorejoinusassoonaspossible, with all the necessary succours for the Eastern Church, our commonmother.

*DugdateBaronage,tom.i.p.122.Dugd.Monast.vol.7,p.838.†Exregist.Hosp.S. Joh.JerusaleminAngli inBib.Cotton. fol.289,a-b.Dugd.Monast.Angl.Ed.1830,

vol.vii.p.820.‡Ex.cod.Vet.M.S.penesAntonWood,Oxon,fol.14a.Ib.p.843.§LiberJohannisStillingflete,M.S.inofficioarmorum(L.17)fol.141a,HarleianM.S.No.4937.**GeoffreyofClairvaux observes,however, that the secondcrusadecouldhardlybecalledunfortunate,

since,thoughitdidnotatallhelptheHolyLand,itservedtopeopleheavenwithmartyrs.†† His head and right hand were cut off by Noureddin, and sent to the caliph at Bagdad.––Abulfarag.

Chron.Syr.p.336.

“. … Scarce had we arrived in the neighbourhood of Antioch, ere we werehemmedinbytheTurcomansontheoneside,andthesultanofAleppo(Noureddin)ontheother,whoblockadeusintheenvironsofthetown,whilstourvineyardsaredestroyed, and our harvests laid waste. Overwhelmed with grief at the pitiablecondition to which we are reduced, we conjure you to abandon everything, andembarkwithoutdelay.Neverwasyourpresencemorenecessarytoyourbrethren;—atnoconjuncturecouldyourreturnbemoreagreeabletoGod.…ThegreaterpartofthosewhomweledtothesuccourofAntiocharedead.…

EVERARDDESBARRES.A.D.1149.

“Weconjureyoutobringwithyoufrombeyondseaallourknightsandservingbrotherscapableofbearingarms.Perchance,alas!withallyourdiligence,youmaynotfindoneofusalive.Use,therefore,allimaginablecelerity;prayforgetnotthenecessitiesofourhouse:theyaresuchthatnotonguecanexpressthem.Itisalsoofthe last importance toannounce to thePope, to theKingofFrance, and toall theprincesandprelatesofEurope,theapproachingdesolationoftheHolyLand,totheintentthattheysuccourusinperson,orsendussubsidies.Whateverobstaclesmaybeopposedtoyourdeparture,wetrusttoyourzealtosurmountthem,fornowhatharrivedthetimeforperfectlyaccomplishingourvowsinsacrificingourselvesforourbrethren,forthedefenceoftheeasternchurch,andtheholysepulcher.…

“For you, our dear brothers in Europe,whom the same engagements and thesamevowsought tomakekeenlyalive toourmisfortunes, joinyourselves toourchief,enter intohisviews,secondhisdesigns,failnot toselleverything;cometotherescue;itisfromyouweawaitlibertyandlife!”*

Onthereceiptofthisletter,theMasteroftheTemple,insteadofproceedingtoPalestine, abdicated his authority, and entered into the monastery of Clairvaux,where he devoted the remainder of his days to the most rigorous penance andmortification.

He was succeeded (A.D. 1151) by Bernard de Tremelay, a nobleman of anillustriousfamilyinBurgundy,inFrance,andavaliantandexperiencedsoldier.*

BERNARDDETREMELAY.A.D.1152.

TheinfidelsmadecontinualincursionsintotheChristianterritories,andshortlyafterhisaccessiontopowertheycrossedtheJordan,andadvancedwithinsightofJerusalem.Theiryellowandgreenbannerswavedon thesummitof theMountofOlives,andthewarlikesoundof theirkettle-drumsandtrumpetswasheardwithinthesacredprecinctsoftheholycity.TheyencampedonthemountoveragainsttheTemple; and had the satisfaction of regarding from a distance theBeit Allah, or

TempleoftheLord,theirholyhouseofprayer.Inanightattack,however,theyweredefeatedwith terrible slaughter, andwere pursued all theway to the Jordan, fivethousandoftheirnumberbeingleftdeadontheplain.†

*SpicilegiiDacheriani,tom.ii.p.511;seealsoWill.Tyr.lib.xvii.cap.9.

ShortlyafterthisaffairtheTemplarslosttheirgreatpatron,SaintBernard,whodied on the 20th of April, A.D. 1153, in the sixty-third year of his age. On hisdeathbedhewrotethreelettersinbehalfoftheOrder.ThefirstwasaddressedtothepatriarchofAntioch,exhortinghimtoprotectandencouragetheTemplars,athingwhichtheholyabbotassureshimwillprovemostacceptabletoGodandman.ThesecondwaswrittentoMelesinda,queenofJerusalem,praisinghermajestyforthefavour shown by her to the brethren of the Order; and the third, addressed toBrotherAndredeMontbard,aKnightTemplar,conveystheaffectionatesalutationsof St. Bernard to the Master and brethren, to whose prayers he recommendshimself.‡Thesameyear,atthesiegeofAscalon,theMasteroftheTempleandhisknightsattemptedaloneandunaidedtotakethatimportantcitybystorm.Atthedawnofdaytheyrushedthroughabreachmadeinthewalls,andpenetratedtothecentreof the town. There they were surrounded by the infidels and overpowered, and,according to the testimony of an eye-witness, whowas in the campaign from itscommencementtoitsclose,notasingleTemplarescaped:theywereslaintoaman,andthedeadbodiesoftheMasterandhisill-fatedknightswereexposedintriumphfromthewalls.§

BERTRANDDEBLANQEFORT.A.D.1154.

DeTremelaywassucceeded(A.D.1154)byBrotherBertranddeBlanquefort,aknightofanoblefamilyofGuienne,calledbyWilliamofTyreapiousandGod-fearingman.

The Templars continued to be the foremost in every encounter with theMussulmen,andtheMonkishwritersexultinthenumberofinfidelstheysenttohell.A proportionate number of the fraternitymust at the same time have ascended toheaven, for the slaughter amongst them was terrific. On Tuesday, June 19, A.D.1156, theywere drawn into an ambuscadewhilstmarchingwithBaldwin, king ofJerusalem,nearTiberias, threehundredof thebrethrenwere slainon the fieldofbattle,andeighty-sevenfellintothehandsoftheenemy,amongwhomwasBertrandde Blanquefort himself, and Brother Odo, marshal of the kingdom.* Shortlyafterwards, thirty Knights Templars put to flight, slaughtered, and captured, twohundredinfidels;†andinanightattackonthecampofNoureddin,theycompelledthatfamouschieftaintofly,withoutarmsandhalf-naked,fromthefieldofbattle.Inthis last affair the names ofRobertMansel, anEnglishman, andGilbert de Lacy,preceptoroftheTempleofTripoli,arehonourablymentioned.‡Theservicesofthe

TemplarsweregratefullyacknowledgedinEurope,andthePope,inaletterwrittenintheirbehalftotheArchbishopofRheims,hislegateinFrance,characterizesthemas “New Maccabees, far famed and most valiant champions of the Lord.” “Theassistance,” says the Pope, “rendered by those holywarriors to all Christendom,theirzealandvalour,anduntiringexertionsindefendingfromthepersecutionandsubtiltyofthefilthyPagans,thosesacredplaceswhichhavebeenenlightenedbythecorporal presence of our Saviour, we doubt not have been spread abroadthroughouttheworld,andareknown,notonlytotheneighbouringnations,but toall thosewhodwellat theremotestcornersoftheearth.”Theholypontiffexhortsthearchbishoptoprocureforthemallthesuccourpossible,bothinmenandhorses,andtoexerthimselfintheirfavouramongallhissuffraganbishops.§

*Will.Tyr.lib.xvii.cap.21.L’artdeverifierlesdates,p.340.NobiliatredeFranche-ComptéparDunod,p.140.

†Will.Tyr.lib.xvii.cap.20,adann.1152.‡S.Bernardieptitoke,288,289,392,ed.Mabillon.§AnselmiGemblacensisChron.adann.1153.Will.Tyr.lib.xvii.Cap.27.

The fiery zeal and warlike enthusiasm of the Templars were equalled, if notsurpassed, by the stern fanaticism and religious ardour of the followers ofMahomet.“Noureddinfought,”sayshisorientalbiographer,“likethemeanestofhissoldiers, saying, ‘Alas! it isnowa long time that Ihavebeen seekingmartyrdomwithout being able to obtain it.’ The Imaum Koteb-ed-din, hearing him on oneoccasionutterthesewords,exclaimed,‘InthenameofGoddonotputyourlifeindanger,donotthusexposeIslamandtheMoslems.Thouarttheirstayandsupport,andif(butGodpreserveustherefrom)thoushouldestbeslain,itwillbeallupwithus.‘Ah!Koteb-ed-deen,’saidhe,‘whathastthousaid,whocansaveIslam**andourcountry,butthatgreatGodwhohasnoequal?’‘What,’saidhe,onanotheroccasion,‘dowenot lookto thesecurityofourhousesagainstrobbersandplunderers,andshallwenotdefendreligion?’”*

BERTRANDDEBLANQEFORT.A.D.1154.

Like theTemplars,Noureddin fought constantlywith spiritual andwith carnalweapons.Heresistedtheworldanditstemptationsbyfastingandprayer,andbythedailyexerciseofthemoralandreligiousdutiesandvirtuesinculcatedbytheKoran.He fought with the sword against the foes of Islam, and employed his wholeenergies,tothelasthourofhislife,intheenthusiasticandfanaticstrugglefortherecoveryofJerusalem.†

* Captus est inter cæteros ibi Bertrandus de Blanquefort,MagisterMilitiæ Templi, vir religious ac timensDeum.Will.Tyr.lib.xviii.cap.14.Registr.epist.apudMartenevet.script.tom.ii.col.647.

†MilitesTemplicirca triginta,ducentosPaganorumeuntesadnuphasverterent in fugam,etdivinopræsidiocomitante,omnespartimccperunt,partimgladiotrucidarunt.Registr.epist.utsup.col.647.

‡Will.Tyr.lib.xix.cap.8.

§Epist. xvi.S.Remensi archiepiscopo et ejus suffiraganeis pro ecclesia Jerosoly-mitana etmilitibusTempli,apudMartenevet.Script.tom.ii.col.647.

**Islam,thenameoftheMahometanreligion.Thewordsignifiesliterally,deliveringoneselfuptoGod

Theclosepointsofresemblance,indeed,betweenthereligiousfanaticismoftheTemplarsandthatoftheMoslemsarestrikinglyremarkable.IntheMoslemcamp,we are told by the Arabian writers, all profane and frivolous conversation wasseverely prohibited; the exercises of religionwere assiduously practised, and theintervalsofactionwereemployedinprayer,meditation,andthestudyoftheKoran.

BERTRANDDEBLANQEFORT.A.D.1156.

The Templars style themselves “The Avengers of Jesus Christ,” and the“instrumentsandministersofGodforthepunishmentofinfidels,”andthePopeandtheholyfathersofthechurchproclaimthatitisspeciallyentrustedtothem“toblotout from the earth all unbelievers,” and they hold out the joys of paradise as theglorious reward for the dangers and difficulties of the task.‡ “In fighting forChrist,”declaresSt.Bernard,inhisaddresstotheTemplars,“thekingdomofChristis acquired…Go forth, therefore,O soldiers, in nowisemistrusting, andwith afearlessspiritcastdowntheenemiesofthecrossofChrist,inthecertainassurancethatneitherinlifenorindeathcanyebeseparatedfromtheloveofGodwhichisinChrist Jesus, repeating toyourselves ineverydanger,whetherwe liveorwhetherwediewearetheLord’s.Howgloriouslydothevictorsreturnfromthefight,howhappy do the martyrs die in battle! Rejoice, valiant champion, if thou livest andconquerest in the Lord, but rejoice rather and glory if thou shouldest die and bejoineduntotheLord.…IfthosearehappywhodieintheLord,howmuchmoresoarethosewhodiefortheLord!…PreciousinthesightofGodwillbethedeathofhisholysoldiers.”

“Thesword,”saystheprophetMahomet,ontheotherhand,“isthekeyofheavenandofhell;adropofbloodshedinthecauseofGod,anightspentinarms,isofmoreavailthantwomonthsoffastingandofprayer.Whosoeverfallsinbattle,hissins are forgiven him at the day of judgment.Hiswoundswill be resplendent asvermilion,andodoriferousasmusk,andthelossoflimbsshallbesuppliedbythewingsofangelsandofcherubims.”

Thus writes the famous Caliph Abubeker, the successor of Mahomet, to theArabiantribes:

“In thenameof themostmercifulGod,AbdollahAthichIb’nAbiKohapha, tothe restof the truebelievers.”…“This is toacquaintyou, that I intend tosend thetruebelieversintoSyria,totakeitoutofthehandsoftheinfidels,andIwouldhaveyoutoknow,thatthefightingforreligionisanactofobediencetoGod.”

**Islam,thenameoftheMahometanreligion.Thewordsignifiesliterally,deliveringoneselfuptoGod.*Keightley’sCrusaders.† ThevirtuesofNoureddinarecelebratedbytheArabicHistorianBen-Schunah,inhisRaoudhatAlmenadhir,

by Azzcddin Ebn-al-ather, by Khondemir, and in the work entitled, “The flowers of the two gardens,” byOmaddeddinKateb.SeealsoWill.Tyr.lib.xx.cap.33.

‡Regula,cap.xlviii.

“Remember,” said the same successor of the prophet and commander of thefaithful,totheholywarriorswhohadassembledinobediencetohismandate,“thatyouarealways in thepresenceofGod,on thevergeofdeath, in theassuranceofjudgment,andthehopeofparadise…WhenyoufightthebattlesoftheLord,acquityourselveslikemen,andturnnotyourbacks.”

TheprowessandwarlikedaringoftheTemplarsinthefieldarethusdescribedbySt.Bernard.

BERTRANDDEBLANQEFORT.A.D.1156.

“When the conflict has begun, then at length they throw aside their formermeekness andgentleness, exclaiming,Donot I hate them,OLord, that hate thee,andamInotgrievedwiththosewhoriseupagainstthee?Theyrushinupontheiradversaries,theyscatterthemlikesheep,innowisefearing,thoughfewinnumber,the fierce barbarism or the immense multitude of the enemy. They have learnedindeedtorely,notontheirownstrength,buttocountonvictorythroughtheaidoftheLordGodSabaoth,towhomtheybelieveiteasyenough,accordingtothewordsofMaccabees,tomakeanendofmanybythehandsofafew,forvictoryinbattledependethnotonthemultitudeofthearmy,butonthestrengthgivenfromonhigh,which,indeed,theyhaveveryfrequentlyexperienced,sinceoneofthemwillpursuea thousand,and twowillput to flight ten thousand.Yea,and lastly, inawonderfulandremarkablemanner,theyareobservedtobebothmoregentlethan lambs,andmore fierce than lions so that I almost doubtwhich I had better determine to callthem,monks forsooth,or soldiers,unlessperhaps,asmore fitting, I shouldnamethemboththeoneandtheother.”

Atalaterperiod,CardinaldeVitry,BishopofAcre,thefrequentcompanionoftheKnightsTemplarsontheirmilitaryexpeditions,thusdescribesthereligiousandmilitaryenthusiasmoftheTemplars:“Whensummonedtoarmstheyneverdemandthenumberoftheenemy,butwherearethey?Lionstheyareinwar,gentlelambsinthe convent; fierce soldiers in the field, hermits and monks in religion; to theenemies of Christ ferocious and inexorable, but to Christians kind and gracious.Theycarrybeforethem,”sayshe,“tobattle,abanner,halfblackandwhite,whichtheycallBeauseant,thatistosay,intheGallictongue,Bienseant,becausetheyarefairandfavourabletothefriendsofChrist,butblackandterribletohisenemies.”*

BERTRANDDEBLANQEFORT.A.D.1158.

AmongthemanyinstancesofthefanaticalardouroftheMoslemwarriors,arethefollowing,extractedfromthehistoryofAbuAbdollahAlwakidi,CadiofBagdad.“Methinks,”saidavaliantSaracenyouth,intheheatofbattleagainsttheChristians

underthewallsofEmesa—“methinksIseetheblack-eyedgirlslookinguponme,oneofwhom,shouldsheappear in thisworld,allmankindwoulddiefor loveofher; and I see in thehandofoneof themahandkerchiefofgreen silk, andacapmadeofpreciousstones,andshebeckonsme,andcallsout,Comehitherquickly,forI lovethee.”Withthesewords,chargingtheinfidels,hemadehavocwhereverhe went, until he was at last struck down by a javelin. “It is not,” said a dyingArabianwarrior,whenheembracedforthelasttimehissisterandmother—“itisnotthefadingpleasureofthisworldthathaspromptedmetodevotemylifeinthecauseofreligion,IseekthefavourofGodandhisapostle,andIhaveheardfromoneofthecompanionsoftheprophet,thatthespiritsofthemartyrswillbelodgedinthecropsofgreenbirdswhotastethefruitsanddrinkofthewatersofparadise.Farewell;weshallmeetagainamongthegrovesandthefountainswhichGodhaspreparedforhiselect.†

BERTRANDDEBLANQEFORT.A.D.1159.

TheMasteroftheTemple,BrotherBertranddeBlanquefort,wasliberatedfromcaptivity at the instanceofManuelComnenus,EmperorofConstantinople.‡Afterhis release he wrote several letters to Louis VII., king of France, describing theconditionandprospectsoftheHolyLand;theincreasingpowerandboldnessoftheinfidels; and the ruin and desolation caused by a dreadful earthquake, which hadoverthrownnumerous castles, prostrated thewalls anddefencesof several towns,andswallowedupthedwellingsoftheinhabitants.“Thepersecutorsofthechurch,”says he, “hasten to avail themselves of our misfortunes; they gather themselvestogetherfromtheendsoftheearth,andcomeforthasonemanagainstthesanctuaryofGod.”§

Itwas during hismastership, thatGeoffrey, theKnightTemplar, andHugh ofCaesarea,weresentonanembassyintoEgypt,andhadaninterviewwiththeCaliph.Theywere introduced into thepalaceof theFatimites throughaseriesofgloomypassages and glittering porticos, amid the warbling of birds and the murmur offountains;thescenewasenrichedbyadisplayofcostlyfurnitureandrareanimals;andthelongorderofunfoldingdoorswasguardedbyblacksoldiersanddomesticeunuchs.Thesanctuaryofthepresencechamberwasveiledwithacurtain,andthevizier who conducted the ambassadors laid aside his scimetar, and prostratedhimself three times on the ground; the veil was then removed, and they saw theCommanderoftheFaithful.*

*VexillumbipartitumexAlboetNigroquodnominantBeau-seantidestGallicâlinguâBien-seant;eoquodChristiamiciscandidisuntetbenigni, inimicisvero terribilesatquenigri,Jac.deVitr.Hist.HierosolapudGestaDei, cap. lxv. The idea is quite an oriental one, black and white being always used among the Arabsmetaphorically,inthesenseabovedescribed.Theircustomarysalutationis,Mayyourdaybewhite,i.e.mayyoubehappy.

†AlwakidiArab.Hist. translatedbyOckley.Hist.Saracen. It refers toaperiodantecedent to thecrusades,butthesamereligio-militaryenthusiasmprevailedduringtheholywarfortherecoveryofJerusalem.

‡Cinnamus,lib.iv.num.22.§GestaDei,interregumetprincipumepistolas,tom.i.p.1173,6,7.Hist.Franc.Script.tom.Iv.p.692,693.

BERTRANDDEBLANQEFORT.A.D.1164.

BrotherBertranddeBlanquefort, inhis letters to thekingofFrance,givesanaccountofthemilitaryoperationsundertakenbytheOrderofTempleinEgypt,andof the capture of the populous and important city of Belbeis, the ancientPelusium.† Duringtheabsenceof theMasterwith thegreaterpartof thefraternityonthatexpedition,thesultanNoureddininvadedPalestine;hedefeatedwithterribleslaughter the serving brethren and Turcopoles, or light horse of the Order, whoremainedtodefendthecountry,andsixtyoftheknightswhocommandedthemwereleftdeadontheplain.‡

ThezealanddevotionoftheTemplarsintheserviceofChristcontinuedtobethe theme of praise and of admiration both in the east and in the west. PopeAlexander III., in his letters, characterizes them as the stout champions of JesusChrist, who warred a divine warfare, and daily laid down their lives for theirbrethren, “We implore andwe admonish your fraternity,” says he, addressing thearchbishopsandbishops,“thatoutoflovetoGod,andofreverencetotheblessedPeterandourselves,andalsooutofregardforthesalvationofyourownsouls,yedo favour, and support, and honour them, and preserve all their rights entire andintact,andaffordthemthebenefitofyourpatronageandprotection.”§

Amalric,kingofJerusalem,thesuccessorofBaldwintheThird, inaletter“tohisdearfriendandfather,”LouistheSeventh,kingofFrance,beseechesthegoodofficesofthatmonarchinbehalfofallthedevoutChristiansoftheHolyLand;“butaboveall,” sayshe,“weearnestlyentreatyourMajestyconstantly toextend to theutmost your favour and regard to the Brothers of the Temple, who continuallyrenderuptheirlivesforGodandthefaith,andthroughwhomwedothelittlethatweareabletoeffect,forinthemindeed,afterGod,isplacedtheentirerelianceofallthoseintheeasternregionswhotreadintherightpath.”…*

PHILIPOFNAPLOUS.A.D.1167.

TheMaster, Brother Bertrand de Blanquefort, was succeeded (A.D. 1167), byPhilipofNaplous,thefirstMasteroftheTemplewhohadbeenborninPalestine.HehadbeenLordofthefortressesofKrakandMontrealinArabiaPetrea,andtookthevowsandthehabitoftheOrderoftheTempleafterthedeathofhiswife.†

Wemustnowpausetotakeaglanceattheriseofanothergreatreligio-militaryinstitutionwhich, fromhenceforth, takesa leadingpart in thedefenceof theLatinkingdom.

In the eleventh century,when pilgrimages to Jerusalemhad greatly increased,someItalianmerchantsofAmalfi,whocarriedona lucrativetradewithPalestine,purchasedoftheCaliphMonstasser-billahapieceofgroundintheChristianquarter

oftheHolyCity,neartheChurchoftheResurrection,whereontwohospitalswereconstructed,theonebeingappropriatedforthereceptionofmalepilgrims,andtheother for females. Several pious and charitable Christians, chiefly from Europe,devoted themselves in these hospitals to constant attendance upon the sick anddestitute. Two chapels were erected, the one annexed to the female establishmentbeingdedicatedtoSt.MaryMagdalene,andtheothertoSt.JohntheEleemosynary,a canonized patriarch of Alexandria, remarkable for his exceeding eharity. Thepiousandkind-heartedpeoplewhohereattendeduponthesickpilgrims,clothedthenakedandfedthehungry,werecalled“TheHospitallersofSaintJohn.”

*HistdeSaladin,parM.Marin,tom.i.p.120,1.Gibbon,cap.59.†GestaDei,epist.xiv.p.1178,9.‡ De fratribusnostriscecideruntLX.Milites fortissimo,præter fratersclientsetTurcopulos,necnisiseptem

tantumevasêrepericulum.Epist.GaufFulcheriiprocuratorisTempliLudovicoregiFrancorum.GestaDei, tom.i.p.1182,3,4.

§Registr.Epist.ApudMariene,velscript,tom.ii.col.846,847,883.

On the conquest of Jerusalemby theCrusaders, these charitablepersonswerenaturallyregardedwiththegreatestesteemandreverencebytheirfellow-Christiansfromthewest;manyofthesoldiersoftheCross,smittenwiththeirpietyandzeal,desired to participate in their goodoffices, and theHospitallers, animated, by thereligiousenthusiasmof theday,determinedtorenouncetheworld,anddevote theremainderoftheirlivestopiousdutiesandconstantattendanceuponthesick.Theytookthecustomarymonasticvowsofobedience,chastity,andpoverty,andassumedastheirdistinguishinghabitablackmantlewithawhitecrossonthebreast.Variouslandsandpossessionsweregranted themby the lordsandprincesof theCrusade,bothinPalestineandinEurope,andtheOrderof thehospitalofSt.Johnspeedilybecameagreatandpowerfulinstitution.*

Gerard,anativeofProvence,wasatthisperiodattheheadofthesociety,withthe title of “Guardian of the Poor.” He was succeeded (A.D. 1118) by RaymondDupuy,aknightofDauphine,whodrewupaseriesof rules for thedirectionandgovernmentofhisbrethren.IntheserulesnotracesarediscoverableofthemilitaryspiritwhichafterwardsanimatedtheOrderoftheHospitalofSt.John.TheAbbédeVertot, fromadesireperhaps topaycourt to theOrderofMalta,carriesback theassumption of arms by the Hospitallers to the year 1119, and describes them asfiercely engaged under the command of Raymond Dupuy, in the battle foughtbetween the Christians and Dol de Kuvin, Sultan of Damascus; but none of thehistorians of the period make any mention whatever of the Hospitallers in thataction.DeVertotquotesnoauthorityinsupportofhisstatement,anditappearstobeamerefiction.

*“.…præcipueprofratribusTempli,vestramexoramusMajestatem.…quiquotidiemoriunturproDominoetservitio,etperquospossumus,siquidpossumus.InillisenimtotasummapostDeumconaistitomniumeorum,qui

sanofiuntconsilioinpartibuflorientis.…“GestaDei,tom,iepist.xxi.p.1181.illisenimtotasummapostDeumconaistitomniumeorum,quisanofiuntconsilioinpartibuflorientis.…“GestaDei,tom,iepist.xxi.p.1181.

†DominusfuitArabiæsecundæ,quæeatPetracensis,quilocushodieCrachdicitur,etSyriaSobal…factusestMagisterMilitiaeTempli.—Will.Tyr.lib.xxii.cap.5.

ThefirstauthenticnoticeofanintentiononthepartoftheHospitallerstooccupythemselveswithmilitarymatters, occurs in the bull of Pope Innocent theSecond,datedA.D.1130.Thisbullisaddressedtothearchbishops,bishops,andclergyofthechurchuniversal,andinformsthemthattheHospitallersthenretained,attheirownexpense,abodyofhorsemenandfootsoldiers,todefendthepilgrimsingoingtoand in returning from the holy places; the pope observes that the funds of thehospital were insufficient to enable them effectually to fulfill the pious and holytask, and he exhorts the archbishops, bishops, and clergy, to minister to thenecessities of the Order out of their abundant property.† The Hospitallersconsequently at this period had resolved to add the task of protecting to that oftendingandrelievingpilgrims.

After theaccession (A.D.1168)ofGilbertd’Assalit to theguardianshipof theHospital—a man described by De Yertot as “bold and enterprising, and of anextravagant genius”—a military spirit was infused into the Hospitallers, whichspeedily predominated over their pious and charitable zeal in attending upon thepoorandthesick.Gilbertd’AssalitwasthefriendandconfidantofAmalric,kingofJerusalem,andplannedwiththatmonarchawickedinvasionofEgyptindefianceoftreaties.TheMasteroftheTemplebeingconsultedconcerningtheexpedition,flatlyrefusedtohaveanythingtodowithit,ortoallowasinglebrotheroftheOrderoftheTemple to accompany theking in arms; “For it appearedahardmatter to theTemplars,” says William of Tyre, “to wage war without cause, in defiance oftreaties,andagainstallhonourandconscience,uponafriendlynation,preservingfaith with us, and relying on our own faith.”* Gilbert d’Assalit consequentlydeterminedtoobtainforthekingfromhisownbrethrenthataidwhichtheTemplarsdenied;andtotempttheHospitallerstoarmthemselvesgenerallyasagreatmilitarysociety, in imitation of the Templars,† and join the expedition to Egypt, Gilbertd’Assalitwasauthorisedtopromisethem,inthenameoftheking,thepossessionofthe wealthy and important city of Belbeis, the ancient Pelusium, in perpetualsovereignty.‡

PHILIPOFNAPLOUS.A.D.1167.

According to De Vertot, the senior Hospitallers were greatly averse to themilitaryprojectsof theirchief:“Theyurged,”sayshe,“that theywereareligiousorder,andthatthechurchhadnotputarmsintotheirhandstomakeconquests;”§buttheyoungerandmoreardentofthebrethren,burningtoexchangethemonotonouslifeofthecloisterfortheenterprizeandactivityofthecamp,receivedtheproposalsoftheirsuperiorwithenthusiasm,andamajorityofthechapterdecidedinfavourof

theplansandprojectsoftheirGuardian.Theyauthorizedhimtoborrowmoneyofthe Florentine and Genoese merchants, to take hired soldiers into the pay of theOrder,andtoorganizetheHospitallersasagreatmilitarysociety.

*Will.Tyr.lib.xviii.cap.4,5.† Fratresejusdemdomusnonformidantesprofratribussuisanimasponere;cumservientibusetequitaturisad

hoc officium specialiter depulatis et propriis sumptibus retentis, tarn in eundo, quam redeundo ab incursibusPaganorumdefensant.—DeVeriot.Hist,deschev.DeMalte,liv.i.prevue9.

PHILIPOFNAPLOUS.A.D.1168.

Gilbert d’Assalit bestirred himselfwith great energy in the executionof theseschemes; he wrote letters to the king of France for aid and assistance,** andborrowedmoneyoftheemperorofConstantinople.“Assalit,”saysDeVertot,“withthismoneyleviedagreatbodyoftroops,whichhetookintothepayoftheOrder;andashisfancywasentirelytakenupwithflatteringhopesofconquest,hedrewbyhis indiscreet liberalities a great number of volunteers into his service,who likehimsharedalreadyinimaginationalltherichesofEgypt.”

ItwasinthefirstyearofthegovernmentofPhilipofNaplous(A.D.1168)thatthekingofJerusalemandtheHospitallersmarchedforthupontheirmemorableandunfortunateexpedition.TheEgyptiansweretakencompletelybysurprise;thecityofBelbeis was carried by assault, and the defenceless inhabitants were barbarouslymassacred;“theyspared,”saysDeVertot“neitheroldmennorwomen,norchildrenatthebreast,”afterwhichthedesolatedcitywasdelivereduptothebrethrenoftheHospitalofSt.John.Theyheldit,however,foraverybriefperiod;theimmorality,the cruelty, and the injustice of the Christians, speedily met with condignpunishment. The king of Jerusalem was driven back into Palestine; Belbeis wasabandonedwithprecipitation;andtheHospitallersfledbeforetheinfidelsinsorrowanddisappointment to Jerusalem.There theyvented their indignation and chagrinupon theunfortunateGilbertd’Assalit, their superior,whohadgot theOrder intodebt to the extent of 100,000 pieces of gold; they compelled him to resign hisauthority, and the unfortunate guardian of the hospital fled from Palestine toEngland,andwasdrownedintheChannel.*

Fromthisperiod,however,thecharacteroftheOrderoftheHospitalofSt.Johnwasentirelychanged; theHospitallersappearhenceforthasagreatmilitarybody;theirsuperiorstyleshimselfMaster,andleadsinpersonthebrethrenintothefieldofbattle.Attendanceupon thepoorand thesickstillcontinued, indeed,oneof thedutiesofthefraternity,butitmusthavebeenfeeblyexercisedamidtheclashofarmsandtheexcitementofwar.

*Will.Tyr.lib.xx.cap.5.† Prædicti enimHospitalis fraters ad imitationem fratrummilitiæTempli, armismaterialibus utentes,milites

cumservientibusinsuocollegioreceperunt.––Jac.DeVit.cap.lxv.‡Will.Tyr.lib.xx.cap.5.§ThisassumptionofarmsbytheHospitallerswasentirelyatvariancewiththeoriginalendandobjectoftheir

institution.PopeAnastasius,inabulldatedA.D.1154,observes,“omniavestrasustentationibusperegrinorumetpauperumdebentcedere,acperhocnullatenusaliisusibuseaconvenitapplicari.”––DeVeriot,liv.i.preuve13.

**Gest.DeiperFrancos,p.1177.*Will.Tyr.lib.xx.cap.5.HovedeninHen.2,p.622.DeVertot,Hist.desChevaliersdeMalte,liv.Ii.p.150

to161,ed.1726.

CHAPTERIV.The contests between Saladin and the Templars—The vast privileges of the Templars—The publication of the

bull, omne datum optimum—The Pope declares himself the immediate Bishop of the entire Order—Thedifferent classes of Templars— The knights—Priests—Serving brethren—The hired soldiers—The greatofficersoftheTemple—Punishmentofcowardice—TheMasteroftheTempleistakenprisoner,anddiesinadungeon—Saladin’s great successes—TheChristians purchase a truce—TheMaster of the Temple and thePatriarchHeracliusproceedtoEnglandforsuccour—TheconsecrationoftheTEMPLECHURCHatLONDON.

“ThefirmestbulwarkofJerusalemwasfoundedontheknightsoftheHospitalofSt.JohnandoftheTempleof Solomon; on the strange association of amonastic andmilitary life,which fanaticismmight suggest, but ofwhichpolicymustapprove.TheflowerofthenobilityofEuropeaspiredtowearthecrossandprofessthevowsof these respectable orders; their spirit and disciplinewere immortal; and the speedy donation of twenty-eightthousand farms ormanors enabled them to support a regular force of cavalry and infantry for the defence ofPalestine.”—Gibbon.

ODODEST.AMAND.A.D.1170.

THEMaster,PhilipofNaplous,resignedhisauthorityafterashortgovernmentofthreeyears,andwassucceededbyBrotherOdodeSt.Amand,aproudandfierywarrior, of undaunted courage and resolution; having, according to William,ArchbishopofTyre,thefearneitherofGodnorofmanbeforehiseyes.*

TheTemplarswerenowdestinedtomeetwithamoreformidableopponentthanany they had hitherto encountered in the field, one who was again to cause thecrescenttotriumphoverthecross,andtoplantthestandardoftheprophetuponthewallsoftheholycity.

When the Fatimite caliph had received intelligence of Amalric’s invasion ofEgypt,hesentthehairofhiswomen,oneofthegreatesttokensofdistressknownintheEast, to thepiousNoureddin,who immediatelydispatchedabodyof troops tohisassistance,headedbySheerkoh,andhisnephew,Youseef-Ben-Acoub-Ben-Schadi,the famous Saladin. Sheerkoh died immediately after his arrival, and Youseefsucceeded to his command, and was appointed vizier of the caliph. Youseef hadpassed his youth in pleasure and debauchery, sloth and indolence: he had quittedwithregretthedelightsofDamascusforthedustyplainsofEgypt;andbutfortheunjustifiable expeditionofKingAmalric and theHospitallers against the infidels,thepowerfultalentsandthelatentenergiesoftheyoungCourdishchieftain,whichaltogether changed the face of affairs in the East, would in all probability neverhavebeendeveloped.

*Will.Tyr.lib.xxicap.29.

AssoonasSaladingraspedthepowerofthesword,andobtainedthecommandofarmies,hethrewoffthefolliesofhisyouth,andledanewlife.Herenouncedthepleasuresoftheworld,andassumedthecharacterofasaint.Hisdresswasacoarsewoollen garment; water was his only drink; and he carefully abstained from

everything disapproved of by the Mussulman religion. Five times each day heprostratedhimself in public prayer, surroundedbyhis friends and followers, andhis demeanour becamegrave, serious, and thoughtful.He fought vigorouslywithspiritualweaponsagainstthetemptationsoftheworld;hisnightswereoftenspentinwatchingandmeditation,andhewasalwaysdiligent infastingand in thestudyoftheKoran.WiththesamezealhecombatedwithcarnalweaponsthefoesofIslam,and his admiring brethren gave him the name of Salah-ed-deen, “Integrity ofReligion,”vulgarlycalledSaladin.

Attheheadoffortythousandhorseandfoot,hecrossedthedesertandravagedthebordersofPalestine;thewildBedouinsandtheenthusiasticArabiansofthefarsouth were gathered together under his standard, and hastened with holy zeal toobtain thecrownofmartyrdomindefenceof thefaith.Thelongrememberedandgreatly dreaded Arab shout of onset, Allah achat, God is victorious, againresounded through the plains and the mountains of Palestine, and the grandreligious struggle for the possession of the Holy City of Jerusalem, equallyreverenced by Mussulmen and by Christians, was once more vigorouslycommenced. Saladin besieged the fortified city of Gaza, which belonged to theKnightsTemplars,andwasconsideredtobethekeyofPalestinetowardsEgypt.Theluxuriant gardens, the palm and olive groves of this city of thewilderness,weredestroyedby thewildcavalryof thedesert,and the innumerable tentsof theArabhostwere thicklyclusteredon theneighbouring sand-hills.ThewarlikemonksoftheTemplefastedandprayed,andinvokedtheaidoftheGodofbattles;thegatesofthecitywerethrownopen,andinanunexpectedsallyupontheenemy’scamptheyperformedsuchprodigiesofvalour, thatSaladin,despairingofbeingable to taketheplace,abandonedthesiege,andretiredintoEgypt.*

The year following, Pope Alexander ’s famous bull, omne datum optimum,confirming the previous privileges of the Templars, and conferring upon themadditionalpowersand immunities,waspublished inEngland. Itcommences in thefollowingterms:

ODODEST.AMAND.A.D.1172.

“Alexander, bishop, servantof the servantsofGod, tohisbeloved sons,Odo,MasterofthereligiouschivalryoftheTemple,whichissituatedatJerusalem,andtohissuccessors,andtoalltheregularlyprofessedbrethren.

“Every good gift and every perfect reward† cometh from above, descendingfrom the Father of light, with whom there is no change nor shadow of variety.Therefore,ObelovedchildrenintheLord,wepraisetheAlmightyGod,inrespectofyourholyfraternity,sinceyourreligionandveneratedinstitutionarecelebratedthroughout theentireworld.Foralthoughbynatureyearechildrenofwrath,andslaves to thepleasuresof this life,yetbyafavouringgraceyehavenot remaineddeafhearersof thegospel,but, throwingasideall earthlypompsandenjoyments,

andrejectingthebroadroadwhichleadethuntodeath,yehavehumblychosenthearduouspathtoeverlastinglife.FaithfullyfulfillingthecharacterofsoldieryoftheLord, ye constantly carry upon your breasts the sign of the life-giving cross.Moreover, like true Israelites, and most instructed fighters of the divine battle,inflamedwith true charity, ye fulfil by yourworks theword of the gospelwhichsaith, ‘Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for hisfriends;’sothat,inobediencetothevoiceofthegreatShepherd,yeinnowisefeartolaydownyourlivesforyourbrethren,andtodefendthemfromtheinroadofthepagans;andyemaywellbetermedholywarriors,sinceyehavebeenappointedbytheLorddefendersofthecatholicchurchandcombatantsoftheenemiesofChrist.”

ODODEST.AMAND.A.D.1172.

After this preamble, the pope earnestly exhorts the Templars to pursue withunceasing diligence their high vocation; to defend the eastern church with theirwholeheartsandsouls,andtostrikedowntheenemiesofthecrossofChrist.“BytheauthorityofGod,andtheblessedPeterprinceofapostles,”saystheholypontiff,“we have ordained and do determine, that the Temple in which ye are gatheredtogether to the praise and glory of God, for the defence of the faithful, and thedeliverance of the church, shall remain for evermore under the safeguard andprotection of the holy apostolic see, together with all the goods and possessionswhich ye now lawfully enjoy, and all that ye may hereafter rightfully obtain,throughtheliberalityofChristiankingsandprinces,andthealmsandoblationsofthefaithful.

*Will.Tyr.lib.xx.xxi.xxii.† Omnedatumoptimum etomnedonumperfectumdesursumest, descendensaPatre luminum,apudquem

nonesttransmutatio,neevicissitudinisobumbratio.

“Wemoreover by these presents decree, that the regular discipline,which, bydivinefavour,hathbeeninstitutedinyourhouse,shallbeinviolablyobserved,andthat the brethren who have there dedicated themselves to the service of theomnipotent God, shall live together in chastity andwithout property andmakinggoodtheirprofessionbothinwordanddeed,theyshallremainsubjectandobedientin all things to theMaster, or tohimwhom theMaster shall have set in authorityoverthem.

“Moreover,asthechiefhouseatJerusalemhathbeenthesourceandfountainofyoursacredinstitutionandorder,theMasterthereofshallalwaysbeconsideredtheheadandchiefofall thehousesandplacesappertainingthereunto.Andwefurtherdecree,thatatthedeceaseofOdo,ourbelovedsonintheLord,andofeachoneofhissuccessors,nomanshallbesetinauthorityoverthebrethrenofthesamehouse,excepthebeofthereligiousandmilitaryorder;andhasregularlyprofessedyourhabitandfellowship;andhasbeenchosenbyallthebrethrenunanimously,or,atall

events,bythegreaterpartofthem.“Andfromhenceforth it shallnotbepermitted toanyecclesiasticalor secular

person to infringeordiminish thecustomsandobservancesofyour religionandprofession, as instituted by theMaster and brethren in common; and those ruleswhichhavebeenputintowritingandobservedbyyouforsometimepast,shallnotbechangedoralteredexceptbytheauthorityoftheMaster,withtheconsentofthemajorityofthechapter

ODODEST.AMAND.A.D.1172.

“.….NoecclesiasticorsecularpersonshalldaretoexactfromtheMasterandBrethrenoftheTemple,oaths,guarantees,oranysuchsecuritiesasareordinarilyrequiredfromthelaity.

“Since your sacred institution and religious chivalry have been established bydivineProvidence, it isnot fit thatyou shouldenter intoanyotherorderwith theview of leading a more religious life, for God, who is immutable and eternal,approvethnottheinconstantheart;butwishethratherthegoodpurpose,whenoncebegun,tobeperseveredintotheendoflife.

“Howmanyandgreatpersonshavepleasedthelordofanearthlyempire,underthemilitarygirdleandhabit!Howmanyanddistinguishedmen,gatheredtogetherinarms,havebravelyfought,intheseourtimes,inthecauseofthegospelofGod,andindefenceofthelawsofourFather;and,consecratingtheirhandsinthebloodoftheunbelieversintheLord,have,aftertheirpainsandtoilinthisworld’swarfare,obtained the rewardofeverlasting life!Doye therefore,bothknightsandservingbrethren,assiduouslypayattention toyourprofession,and inaccordancewith thesaying of the apostle, ‘Let each one of you stedfastly remain in the vocation towhich you have been called.’We therefore ordain, that when your brethren haveoncetakenthevows,andhavebeenreceivedinyoursacredcollege,andhavetakenuponthemselvesyourwarfare,andthehabitofyourreligion,theyshallnolongerhave thepowerofreturningagain to theworld;norcanany,after theyhaveoncemade profession, abjure the cross and habit of your religion, with the view ofentering another convent ormonastery of stricter ormore lax discipline,withoutthe consent of the brethren, or Master, or of him whom the Master hath set inauthority over them; nor shall any ecclesiastic or secular person be permitted toreceiveorretainthem.

ODODEST.AMAND.A.D.1172.

“And since thosewho are defenders of the church ought to be supported andmaintained out of the good things of the church, we prohibit allmanner ofmenfrom exacting tithes fromyou in respect of yourmoveables or immoveables, oranyofthegoodsandpossessionsappertaininguntoyourvenerablehouse.

“And that nothingmay bewanting to the plenitude of your salvation, and the

careofyoursouls;and thatyemaymorecommodiouslyheardivineservice,andreceivethesacramentsinyoursacredcollege;weinlikemannerordain,thatitshallbelawfulforyoutoadmitwithinyourfraternity,honestandgodlyclergymenandpriests, as many as ye may conscientiously require; and to receive them fromwhateverpartstheymaycome,aswellinyourchiefhouseatJerusalem,asinalltheotherhousesandplacesdependinguponit,sothattheydonotbelongtoanyotherreligiousprofessionororder,andsothatyeaskthemof thebishop, if theycomefrom the neighbourhood; but if peradventure the bishop should refuse, yetneverthelessyehavepermission toreceiveandretain thembytheauthorityof theholyapostolicsee.

ODODEST.AMAND.A.D.1172.

“Ifanyofthese,aftertheyhavebeenprofessed,shouldturnouttobeuseless,orshould become disturbers of your house and religion, it shall be lawful for you,with the consent of themajor part of the chapter, to remove them, andgive themleave toenteranyotherorderwhere theymaywish to live in theserviceofGod,andtosubstituteothersintheirplaceswhoshallundergoaprobationofoneyearinyour society;which termbeingcompleted, if theirmorals render themworthyofyour fellowship, and they shall be found fit and proper for your service, then letthemmaketheregularprofessionoflifeaccordingtoyourrule,andofobedienceto theirMaster, so that they have their food and clothing, and also their lodging,withthefraternity.

“But it shall not be lawful for them presumptuously to take part in theconsultations of your chapter, or in the government of your house; they arepermittedtodoso,sofaronlyastheyareenjoinedbyyourselves.Andasregardsthe cureof souls, they are tooccupy themselveswith that business so faronly astheyarerequired.Moreover,theyshallbesubjecttonoperson,power,orauthority,exceptingthatofyourownchapter,butletthempayperfectobedience,inallmattersand upon all occasions, to thee our beloved son in the Lord, Odo, and to thysuccessors,astheirMasterandBishop.

“Wemoreoverdecree,thatitshallbelawfulforyoutosendyourclerks,whentheyare tobeadmitted toholyorders, forordination towhatevercatholicbishopyoumayplease,who,clothedwithourapostolicalpower,willgrantthemwhattheyrequire;butweforbidthemtopreachwithaviewofobtainingmoney,orforanytemporalpurposewhatever,unlessperchancetheMasteroftheTempleforthetimebeingshouldcauseittobedoneforsomespecialpurpose.Andwhosoeveroftheseare received into your college, they must make the promise of steadfastness ofpurpose,ofreformationofmorals,andthattheywillfightfortheLordallthedaysoftheirlives,andrenderstrictobediencetotheMasteroftheTemple;thebookinwhichthesethingsarecontainedbeingplaceduponthealtar.

ODODEST.AMAND.A.D.1172.

“Wemoreover,withoutdetracting from the rightsof thebishops in respectoftithes,oblations,andburyings,concedetoyouthepowerofconstructingoratoriesin theplacesbestowedupon the sacredhouseof theTemple,whereyouandyourretainersandservantsmaydwell;sothatbothyeandtheymaybeabletoassistatthedivineoffices,andreceivethere theriteofsepulture;for itwouldbeunbecomingandverydangeroustothesoulsofthereligiousbrethren,iftheyweretobemixedlipwithcrowdofsecularpersons,andbebroughtintothecompanyofwomenontheoccasionoftheirgoingtochurch.Butastothetithes,which,bytheadviceandwiththeconsentofthebishops,yemaybeablebyyourzealtodrawoutofthehandsof the clergy or laity, and those which with the consent of the bishops ye mayacquirefromtheirownclergy,weconfirmtoyoubyourapostolicalauthority.”

Theabovebullfurtherprovides,invariousways,forthetemporalandspiritualadvantageoftheTemplars,andexpresslyextendsthefavoursandindulgences,andtheapostolicalblessings,toalltheservingbrethren,aswellastotheknights.Italsoconfersuponthefraternitytheimportantprivilegeofcausingthechurchesoftownsandvillageslyingundersentenceofinterdicttobeopenedonceayear,anddivineservicetobecelebratedwithinthem.*

A bull exactly similar to the above appears to have been issued by PopeAlexander, on the seventh id. Jan.A.D. 1162, addressed to theMasterBertranddeBlanquefort.†BoththeaboveinstrumentsaretoagreatextentmerelyconfirmatoryoftheprivilegespreviouslyconcededtotheTemplars.

TheexerciseortheabuseofthesepowersandimmunitiesspeedilybroughttheTemplarsintocollisionwiththeecclesiastics.Atthegeneralcouncilofthechurch,held at Rome, (A.D. 1179), called the third of Lateran, a grave reprimand wasaddressed to them by the holy Fathers. “We find,” say they, “by the frequentcomplaintsofthebishopsourcolleagues,thattheTemplarsandHospitallersabusetheprivilegesgrantedthembytheHolySee;thatthechaplainsandpriestsoftheirrulehavecausedparochialchurchestobeconveyedovertothemselveswithouttheordinaries’ consent; that they administer the sacraments to excommunicatedpersons, and bury them with all the usual ceremonies of the church; that theylikewise abuse the permission granted the brethren of having divine service saidonce a year in places under interdict, and that they admit seculars into theirfraternity, pretending thereby togive them the same right to their privileges as ifthey were really professed.” To provide a remedy for these irregularities, thecouncil forbad the military orders to receive for the future any conveyances ofchurchesandtitheswithouttheordinaries’consent;thatwithregardtochurchesnotfounded by themselves, nor served by the chaplains of the Order, they shouldpresenttheprieststheydesignedforthecureofthemtothebishopofthediocese,and reserve nothing to themselves but the cognizance of the temporals which

belongedto them; that theyshouldnotcauseservice tobesaid, inchurchesunderinterdict,aboveonceayear,norgiveburialtheretoanypersonwhatever;andthatnone of their fraternity or associates should be allowed to partake of theirprivileges,ifnotactuallyprofessed.*

*ActaHymen,tom.i.adann.1172,p.30,31,32.†Wilcke,GeachichtedesTempelherrenordens,vol.ii.p.230.

Several bishops fromPalestinewere present at this council, togetherwith thearchbishopofCaesarea,andWilliamarchbishopofTyre,thegreathistorianoftheLatinkingdom.

TheorderoftheTemplewasatthisperioddividedintothethreegreatclassesofknights,priests,andservingbrethren,allboundtogetherbytheirvowofobedienceto theMaster of theTemple at Jerusalem, the chief of the entire fraternity.Everycandidate for admission into the first class must have received the honour ofknighthood in due form, according to the laws of chivalry, before he could beadmitted to the vows; and as no person of low degree could be advanced to thehonours of knighthood, the brethren of the first class, i. e. theKnights Templars,wereallmenofnoblebirthandofhighcourage.

ODODEST.AMAND.A.D.1172.

Previousto thecouncilofTroyes, theOrderconsistedofknightsonly,but therule framedby theholy fathersenjoins theadmissionofesquiresandretainers tothevows,inthefollowingterms.

“LXI. We have known many out of divers provinces, as well retainers asesquires, ferventlydesiring for the salvationof their souls tobeadmitted for lifeinto our house. It is expedient, therefore, that you admit them to the vows, lestperchancetheoldenemyshouldsuggestsomethingtothemwhilstinGod’sservicebystealthorunbecomingly,andshouldsuddenlydrive themfrom the rightpath.”Hencearose thegreatclassof servingbrethren, (fratresservientes),who attendedthe knights into the field both on foot and on horseback, and added vastly to thepowerandmilitaryreputationoftheOrder.Theservingbrethrenwerearmedwithbows,bills,andswords;itwastheirdutytobealwaysnearthepersonoftheknight,to supplyhimwith freshweaponsora freshhorse incaseofneed,and to renderhimeverysuccourintheaffray.TheesquiresoftheknightsweregenerallyservingbrethrenoftheOrder,buttheservicesofsecularpersonsmightbeaccepted.

*3Concil.Lat.cap.9.

TheorderoftheTemplealwayshadinitspayalargenumberofretainers,andofmercenarytroops,bothcavalryandinfantry,whichwereofficeredbytheknights.These,wereclothedinblackorbrowngarments,thattheymight,inobediencetothe

rule,* be plainly distinguished from the professed soldiers of Christ, who werehabited in white. The black or brown garment was directed to be worn by allconnectedwith theTemplarswhohadnotbeenadmitted to thevows, that theholysoldiers might not suffer, in character or reputation, from the irregularities ofsecularmentheirdependents.†

ODODEST.AMAND.A.D.1172.

ThewhitemantleoftheTemplarswasaregularmonastichabit,havingtheredcrossontheleftbreast;itwaswornoverarmourofchainmail,andcouldbeloopedupsoastoleavethesword-armatfullliberty.OnhisheadtheTemplarworeawhitelinencoif,andoverthatasmallroundcapmadeofredcloth.Wheninthefield,aniron scull-cap was probably added. We must now take a glance at the militaryorganizationoftheorderoftheTemple,andofthechiefofficersofthesociety.

NextinpowerandauthoritytotheMasterstoodtheMarshal,whowaschargedwiththeexecutionofthemilitaryarrangementsonthefieldofbattle.Hewassecondincommand,and incaseof thedeathof theMaster, thegovernmentof theOrderdevolved upon himuntil the new superiorwas elected. Itwas his duty to providearms,tents,horses,andmules,andallthenecessaryappendagesofwar.

The Prior or Preceptor of the kingdom of Jerusalem, also styled “GrandPreceptoroftheTemple,”hadtheimmediatesuperintendenceoverthechiefhouseof theOrder in theholycity.Hewas the treasurergeneralof thesociety,andhadchargeofall the receiptsandexpenditure.During theabsenceof theMaster fromJerusalem,theentiregovernmentoftheTempledevolveduponhim.

The Draper was charged with the clothing department, and had to distributegarments“freefromthesuspicionofarroganceandsuperfluity”toallthebrethren.Heisdirectedtotakespecialcarethatthehabitsbe“neithertoolongnortooshort,but properly measured for the wearer, with equal measure, and with brotherlyregard, that the eye of the whisperer or the accuser may not presume to noticeanything.”*

*Regula,cap.20†Cap21,22.

ODODEST.AMAND.A.D.1172.

TheStandardBearer (Balcanifer)bore thegloriousBeauseant,orwar-banner,to the field; hewas supported by a certain number of knights and esquires, whoweresworntoprotect thecoloursof theOrder,andnever to let themfall into thehandsoftheenemy.

TheTurcopilarwasthecommanderofabodyoflighthorsecalledTurcopoles(Turcopuli).ThesewerenativesofSyriaandPalestine, theoffspringfrequentlyofTurkish mothers and Christian fathers, brought up in the religion of Christ, andretained in the pay of the Order of the Temple. They were lightly armed, were

clothedintheAsiaticstyle,andbeinginuredtotheclimate,andwellacquaintedwiththecountry,andwiththeMussulmanmodeofwarfare, theywerefoundextremelyserviceableas lightcavalryandskirmishers,andwerealwaysattachedto thewar-battalionsoftheTemplars.

TheGuardianoftheChapel(CustosCapelloe)hadchargeoftheportablechapelandtheornamentsofthealtar,whichwerealwayscarriedbytheTemplarsintothefield.Thisportablechapelwasaroundtent,whichwaspitchedinthecentreofthecamp;thequartersofthebrethrenweredisposedaroundit,sothattheymight,inthereadiestandmostconvenientmanner,participateinthedivineoffices,andfulfillthereligiousdutiesoftheirprofession.

BesidestheGrandPreceptorofthekingdomofJerusalem,thereweretheGrandPreceptors of Antioch and Tripoli, and the Priors or Preceptors of the differenthousesoftheTempleinSyriaandinPalestine,allofwhomcommandedinthefield,andhadvariousmilitarydutiestoperformundertheeyeoftheMaster.

ODODEST.AMAND.A.D.1172.

The Templars and the Hospitallers were the constituted guardians of the truecross when it was brought forth from its sacred repository in the church of theResurrectiontobeplacedattheheadoftheChristianarmy.TheTemplarsmarchedon the right of the sacred emblem, and theHospitallers on the left; and the samepositionwastakenupbythetwoordersinthelineofbattle.†

Aneye-witnessoftheconductoftheTemplarsinthefieldtellsusthattheywerealwaysforemostinthefightandthelastintheretreat;thattheyproceededtobattlewith the greatest order, silence, and circumspection, and carefully attended to thecommandsoftheirMaster.Whenthesignaltoengagehadbeengivenbytheirchief,andthetrumpetsoftheOrdersoundedtothecharge;“then,”sayshe,“theyhumblysingthepsalmofDavid,Nonnobis,nonnobis,Domine,sednominituodagloriam,‘Notuntous,notuntous,OLord,butuntothynamegivethepraise;’andplacingtheir lances in rest, they either break the enemy’s line or die. If any one of themshouldbychanceturnback,orbearhimselflessmanfullythanheought,thewhitemantle,theemblemoftheirorder,isignominiouslystrippedoffhisshoulders,thecrosswornby the fraternity is taken away fromhim, andhe is cast out from thefellowshipofthebrethren;heiscompelledtoeatonthegroundwithoutanapkinora table-cloth for the spaceof oneyear; and thedogswhogather aroundhimandtormenthimheisnotpermittedtodriveaway.Attheexpirationoftheyear,ifhebetrulypenitent,theMasterandthebrethrenrestoretohimthemilitarygirdleandhispristinehabitandcross,andreceivehimagainintothefellowshipandcommunityofthebrethren.TheTemplarsdoindeedpractisetheobservanceofasternreligion,living inhumbleobedience to theirMaster,withoutproperty,andspendingnearlyallthedaysoftheirlivesundertentsintheopenfields.”*SuchisthepictureoftheTemplarsdrawnbyoneoftheleadingdignitariesoftheLatinkingdom.

*Cap.20,27,oftherule.† Jac.DeVitr.Hist.Orient.ApudMartenethesaur.nov.anecdot.tom.iii.col.276,277.

Wemust now resumeour narrative of the principal events connectedwith theOrder.

In the year 1172, the Knight TemplarWalter duMesnil was guilty of a foulmurder, which created a great sensation in the East. An odious religious sect,supposed to be descended from the Ismaelians of Persia, were settled in thefastnessesof themountainsaboveTripoli.Theydevoted their soulsandbodies inblindobediencetoachiefwhoiscalledbythewritersofthecrusades“theoldmanof the mountain,” and were employed by him in the most extensive system ofmurder and assassination known in the history of the world. Both Christian andMoslemwritersenumeratewithhorrorthemanyillustriousvictimsthatfellbeneaththeir daggers.They assumed all shapes and disguises for the furtherance of theirdeadlydesigns,andcarried,ingeneral,noarmsexceptasmallponiardconcealedinthe folds of their dress, called in the Persian tongue hassissin, whence thesewretcheswerecalledassassins,theirchieftheprinceoftheassassins;andtheworditself,inallitsodiousimport,haspassedintomostEuropeanlanguages.†

Raimond,sonofthecountofTripoli,wasslainbythesefanaticswhilstkneelingatthefootofthealtarinthechurchoftheBlessedVirginatCarchusaorTortosa;theTemplars flew toarms toavengehisdeath; theypenetrated into the fastnessesand strongholds of “the mountain chief,” and at last compelled him to purchasepeacebythepaymentofanannualtributeoftwothousandcrownsintothetreasuryoftheOrder.IntheninthyearofAmalric’sreign,SinanBenSuleiman,imaunoftheassassins,sentatrustycounsellortoJerusalem,offering,inthenameofhimselfandhispeople,toembracetheChristianreligion,providedtheTemplarswouldreleasethemfromthetributemoney.Thepropositionwasfavourablyreceived; theenvoywashonourablyentertainedforsomedays,andonhisdeparturehewasfurnishedbythekingwithaguideandanescorttoconducthiminsafetytothefrontier.TheIsmaelitehadreachedthebordersoftheLatinkingdom,andwasalmostinsightofthe castles of his brethren,whenhewas cruellymurderedby theKnightTemplarWalterduMesnil,whoattackedtheescortwithabodyofarmedfollowers.*

* Narratio Patriarchæ Hierosolymitani coram summon Pontifice de statu Terrs Sanctæ. Ex M. S. Cod.Bigotiano,apudMartenethesaur.nov.anecdot.tom.iii.col.276,277.

†Dissertation sur les Assassins, Académic des Inscriptions, tom. xvii. p. 127, 170.DeGuignes. Hist, desHuns.—Will.Tyr.lib.xx.cap.31.

Thekingof Jerusalem, justly incensedat thisperfidiousaction,assembled thebarons of the kingdom at Sidon to determine on the best means of obtainingsatisfaction for the injury; and itwasdetermined that twoof their number shouldproceedtoOdodeSt.Amandtodemandthesurrenderofthecriminal.ThehaughtyMasterof theTemplebadetheminformhismajesty theking, that themembersof

the Order of the Temple were not subject to his jurisdiction, nor to that of hisofficers;thattheTemplarsacknowledgednoearthlysuperiorexceptthePope;andthattotheholypontiffalonebelongedthecognizanceoftheoffence.Hedeclared,however, that the crime shouldmeetwith due punishment; that he had caused thecriminaltobearrestedandputinirons,andwouldforthwithsendhimtoRome,buttilljudgmentwasgiveninhiscase,heforbadeallpersonsofwhatsoeverdegreetomeddlewithhim.†

ODODEST.AMAND.A.D.1172.

Shortly afterwards, however, the Master found it expedient to alter hisdetermination,andinsistlessstronglyupontheprivilegesofhisfraternity.BrotherWalter duMesnilwas delivered up to the king, and confined in one of the royalprisons,ultimatefatehasnotbeenrecorded.

On the death of Noureddin, sultan of Damascus, (A.D. 1175), Saladin raisedhimselftothesovereigntybothofEgyptandofSyria.Heleviedanimmensearmy,andcrossingthedesertfromCairo,heagainplantedthestandardofMahometuponthesacredterritoryofPalestine.Hisforceswerecomposedoftwenty-sixthousandlightinfantry,eightthousandhorsemen,ahostofarchersandspearmenmountedondromedaries,andeighteen thousandcommonsoldiers.ThepersonofSaladinwassurrounded by a body-guard of a thousand Mamlook emirs, clothed in yellowcloakswornovertheirshirtsofmail.

InthegreatbattlefoughtnearAscalon,(Nov.1,A.D.1177),OdodeSt.Amand,theMaster of theTemple, at the head of eighty of his knights, broke through theguard of Mamlooks, slew their commander, and penetrated to the imperial tent,from whence the sultan escaped with great difficulty, almost naked, upon a fleetdromedary;theinfidels,thrownintoconfusion,wereslaughteredordrivenintothedesert,wheretheyperishedfromhunger,fatigue,ortheinclemencyoftheweather.*Theyearfollowing,SaladincollectedavastarmyatDamascus;andtheTemplars,in order to protect and cover the road leading from that city to Jerusalem,commenced theerectionofa strong fortresson thenorthern frontierof theLatinkingdom,close to Jacob’s fordon the river Jordan, at the spotwherenowstandsDjiss’rBeniYakoob,“thebridgeofthesonsofJacob.”Saladinadvancedattheheadofhisforcestoopposetheprogressofthework,andthekingofJerusalemandallthechivalryoftheLatinkingdomweregatheredtogetherintheplaintoprotecttheTemplars and their workmen. The fortress was erected notwithstanding all theexertions of the infidels, and the Templars threw into it a strong garrison.RedoubledeffortswerethenmadebySaladintodestroytheplace.

*Jac.DeVitr.Hist.Orient.Lib.iii.p.1142.Will.Tyr.lib.xx.cap.32.†Adjecitetiametaliaaspiritusuperbicæ,quoipseplurimumabundabat,dictate,quæpræsentinarrationino

multumnecessariumestinterserere.—Will.Tyr.lib.xx.cap.32.

ARNOLDDETORROGEA.D.1180.

Atagivensignal fromtheMussulman trumpets,“thedefendersof Islam”fledbefore “the avengers of Christ;” the Christian forces became disordered in thepursuit,andtheswiftcavalryofthedesert,wheelinguponbothwings,defeatedwithimmenseslaughtertheentirearmyofthecross.TheTemplarsandtheHospitallers,with the countofTripoli, stood firmon the summitof a small hillock, and for alongtimepresentedaboldandundauntedfronttothevictoriousenemy.ThecountofTripoliatlastcuthiswaythroughtheinfidels,andfledtoTyre;theMasteroftheHospital,afterseeingmostofhisbrethrenslain,swamacrosstheJordan,andfled,coveredwithwounds,tothecastleofBeaufort;andtheTemplars,afterfightingwiththeircustomaryzealandfanaticismaroundthered-crossbanner,whichwavedtothelastoverthefieldofblood,wereallkilledortakenprisoners,andtheMaster,OdodeSt.Amand,fellaliveintothehandsoftheenemy.†Saladinthenlaidsiegetothenewly-erectedfortress,whichwasofsomestrength,beingdefendedbythickwalls,flankedwithlargetowersfurnishedwithmilitaryengines.Afteragallantresistanceon thepartof thegarrison, itwas seton fire, and then stormed. “TheTemplars,”saysAbulpharadge,“flungthemselvessomeintothefire,wheretheywereburned,somecastthemselvesintotheJordan,somejumpeddownfromthewallsontotherocks, and were dashed to pieces: thus were slain the enemy.” The fortress wasreduced to a heap of ruins, and the enraged sultan, it is said, ordered all theTemplarstakenintheplacetobesawnintwo,exceptingthemostdistinguishedoftheknights,whowerereservedforaransom,andweresentinchainstoAleppo.*

SaladinofferedOdodeSt.Amandhislibertyinexchangeforthefreedomofhisownnephew,whowasaprisonerinthehandsoftheTemplars;buttheMasteroftheTemplehaughtilyreplied,thathewouldnever,byhisexample,encourageanyofhisknightstobemeanenoughtosurrender,thataTemplaroughteithertovanquishordie,andthathehadnothingtogiveforhisransombuthisgirdleandhisknife.†TheproudspiritofOdodeSt.Amandcouldbut illbrookconfinement;he languishedanddied in the dungeons ofDamascus, andwas succeededbyBrotherArnolddeTorroge,whohadfilledsomeofthechiefsituationsoftheOrderinEurope.‡

*Will.Tyr.lib.xxi.cap.20,22,23.AbulfedaAbulpharadge,Chron.Syr.p.379.†Capti sunt ibi de nostris,Otto de SanctoAmandomilitiæTempliMagister, homo nequaquam superbus et

arrogans,spiritumfurorishabens innaribus,necDeumtimens,necadhominesshabensreverentiam.—Will. Tyr.lib.xxi.cp.29.Abulpharadge,Chron.Syr.p.380,381.

TheaffairsoftheLatinChristianswereatthisperiodinadeplorablesituation.SaladinencampednearTiberias,andextendedhisravagesintoalmosteverypartofPalestine.HislightcavalrysweptthevalleyoftheJordantowithinaday’smarchofJerusalem, and the whole country as far as Panias on the one side, and Beisan,D’Jenneen, and Sebaste, on the other, was destroyed by fire and the sword. Thehouses of theTemplarswere pillaged andburnt; various castles belonging to the

Orderweretakenbyassault;§buttheimmediatedestructionoftheLatinpowerwasarrested by some partial successes obtained by theChristianwarriors, and by theskillfulgeneralshipoftheirleaders.SaladinwascompelledtoretreattoDamascus,afterhehadburntNaplous,anddepopulatedthewholecountryaroundTiberias.Atrucewasproposed,(A.D.1184),andastheattentionofthesultanwasthendistractedbytheintriguesoftheTurcomanchieftainsinthenorthofSyria,andhewasagainengagedinhostilitiesinMesopotamia,heagreedtoasuspensionofthewarforfouryears,inconsiderationofthepaymentbytheChristiansofalargesumofmoney.

ARNOLDDETORROGEA.D.1184.

Immediate advantage was taken of this truce to secure the safety of the Latinkingdom.AgrandcouncilwascalledtogetheratJerusalem,anditwasdeterminedthatHeraclius, the patriarch of theHolyCity, and theMasters of the Temple andHospital, should forthwithproceed toEurope, toobtain succour from thewesternprinces.ThesovereignmostlydependeduponforassistancewasHenrytheSecond,kingofEngland,*grandsonofFulk,thelatekingofJerusalem,andcousin-germanto Baldwin, the then reigning sovereign. Henry had received absolution for themurderofSaintThomasáBecket,onconditionthatheshouldproceedinpersonatthe head of a powerful army to the succour of Palestine, and should, at his ownexpense,maintaintwohundredTemplarsforthedefenceoftheholyterritory.†

*Abulpharadge,Chron.Syr.utsup.MenologiumCisterciente,p.194.BernardusThesuurariusdeacq.Terr.Sanc.cap.139.

†Dicens non esse consuetudinis militum Templi ut aliqua redemptio daretur pro eis prater cingulum etcultellum.Chron.TrivetapudHallvol.i.p.77.

‡Eodemannoquocaptusestinvinculisetsqualorecarceris,nullilugendus,diciturobiisBe.—Will.Tyr. lib.xxi.cap.29.Ib.lib.xxii.cap.7.GalliaChristiananova,tom.i.col.258;ibidp.172,instrumentorum.

§Abulfeda,adann.1182,3.Will.Tyr.lib.xxii.cap.16—20.

The Patriarch and the two Masters landed in Italy, and after furnishingthemselveswith the letters of the pope, threatening the Englishmonarchwith thejudgmentsofheaven if hedidnot forthwithperform thepenanceprescribedhim,theysetout forEngland.AtVerona, theMasterof theTemplefellsickanddied,‡buthiscompanionsproceedingontheirjourney,landedinsafetyinEnglandatthecommencementof theyear1185.Theywere receivedby thekingatReading,andthrowing themselves at the feet of theEnglishmonarch, theywithmuchweepingand sobbing saluted him in behalf of the king, the princes, and the people of thekingdomofJerusalem.Theyexplained theobjectof theirvisit,andpresentedhimwith thepope’s letters,with thekeysof theholysepulchre,of the towerofDavid,andofthecityofJerusalem,togetherwiththeroyalbanneroftheLatinkingdom.§Their eloquent and pathetic narrative of the fierce inroads of Saladin, and of themiserable condition of Palestine, drew tears fromKingHenry and all his court.*The English sovereign gave encouraging assurances to the patriarch and his

companions,andpromisedtobringthewholematterbeforetheparliament,whichwastomeetthefirstSundayinLent.

Thepatriarch,inthemeantime,proceededtoLondon,andwasreceivedbytheKnightsTemplarsattheTempleinthatcity,thechiefhouseoftheOrderinBritain,where, in the month of February, he consecrated the beautiful Temple church,dedicatedtotheblessedVirginMary,whichhadjustthenbeenerected.†

*Undo propter causas pradictas generali providentia statutum est, ut Jerosoly-mitanus Patriarch a, petendicontraimmanissimumhostemSaladinumauxiliigratia,adchristianosprinciposinEuroparamitteretur;sedmaximeadillustremAnglorumregent,cujusefficacioretpromptiaoperasperabatur.—Hemingford,cap.33;Radulph deDiceto,inter;Hist.Angl.X.script,p.622.

†Concil.Magn.Brit.tom.iv.p.788,789.‡ArnauldofTroy.RadulphdeDiceto,utsup.p.625.§Eodemanno(1185),BaldewinusrexJerusalem,etTemplaresetHospitalares,miseruntadregemAngliae

Heraclium,sanctocivitatisJerusalemPatriarcha,etsummosHospitalisetTempliMagistrosunacumvexilloregio,etclavibussepulchriDomini,ettunisDavid,etcivitatisJerusalem;postulantesabeoceleremsuccursum.…quistatim ad pedes regis provoluti cum fletu magno et singultu, verba salutationis ex parte regis et principum etuniverseplebisterraJerosolymitanaeproferebant.…tradiderunteivexillumregium,etc.etc.—Hoveden,adann.1185;RadulphdeDiceto,p.626.

**Matt.Westm.adann.1185;Guill.Neubr.tom.i.libiii.cap.12,13.Chron.Dunst.† † Speed.Hist.Britain,p.506.A.D.1185.

CHAPTERV.TheTempleatLondon—ThevastpossessionsoftheTemplarsinEngland—TheterritorialdivisionsoftheOrder

—The different preceptories in this country—The privileges conferred on the Templars by the kings ofEngland—TheMastersoftheTempleatLondon—Theirpowerandimportance.

Lifiere,liMestreduTempleQu’estoientremplietampleD’oretd’argentetderichesse,Etquimenoienttelnoblesse,Ousont-il?quesontdevenu?Quetantontdeplaitmaintenu,Quenulaelznes’ozoitprendreTozjorsachetoientsansvendreNulricheaelzn’estoitdeprise;Tantvapotaeuequ’ilbrise.Chron.àlasuiteduRomandeFavel.

THE Knights Templars first established the chief house of their order inEngland,withoutHolbornBars,onthesouthsideofthestreet,whereSouthamptonHouseformerlystood,adjoiningtowhichSouthamptonBuildingswereafterwardserected;* and it is stated, that about a century and a half ago, part of the ancientchapel annexed to this establishment, of a circular form, and built ofCaen stone,wasdiscoveredonpullingdownsomeoldhousesnearSouthamptonBuildings inChancery Lane.† This first house of the Temple, established by Hugh de Payenshimself,beforehisdeparturefromEngland,onhisreturntoPalestine,wasadaptedtothewantsandnecessitiesoftheOrderinitsinfantstate,whentheknights,insteadoflingeringinthepreceptoriesofEurope,proceededatoncetoPalestine,andwhenalltheresourcesofthesocietywerestrictlyandfaithfullyforwardedtoJerusalem,tobeexpendedindefenceofthefaith;butwhentheOrderhadgreatlyincreasedinnumbers, power, andwealth, and had somewhat departed from its original purityandsimplicity,wefindthatthesuperiorandtheknightsresidentinLondonbegantolook abroad for a more extensive and commodious place of habitation. Theypurchased a large space of ground, extending from theWhiteFriarswestward toEssexHousewithoutTempleBar,*andcommencedtheerectionofaconventonascaleofgrandeurcommensuratewiththedignityandimportanceofthechiefhouseofthegreatreligio-militarysocietyoftheTempleinBritain.ItwascalledtheNewTemple, to distinguish it from the original establishment atHolborn,which camethenceforthtobeknownbythenameoftheOldTemple.†

*Stowe’sSurvey;Tanner,Notit.Monast;Dugd.Orig.Jund.†Herbert,Antiq.InnsofCourt.

ThisNewTemplewas adapted for the residence of numerousmilitarymonksandnovices,servingbrothers,retainers,anddomestics.Itcontainedtheresidenceof

thesuperiorandoftheknights,thecellsandapartmentsofthechaplainsandservingbrethren, the council chamberwhere the chapterswere held, and the refectory ordining-hall, which was connected, by a range of handsome cloisters, with themagnificent church, consecrated by the patriarch. Alongside the river extended aspaciouspleasuregroundfortherecreationofthebrethren,whowerenotpermittedto go into the townwithout the leave of theMaster. Itwas used also formilitaryexercisesandthetrainingofthehorses.

Theyearof theconsecrationof theTempleChurch,Geoffrey, the superioroftheOrderinEngland,causedaninquisitiontobemadeofthelandsoftheTemplarsinthiscountry,andthenamesofthedonorsthereof,‡fromwhichitappears,thatthelargerterritorialdivisionsoftheOrderwerethencalledbailiwicks,theprincipalofwhich were London, Warwic, Couele, Meritune, Gutinge, Westune, Lincolnscire,Lindeseie, Widine, and Eboracisire, (Yorkshire). The number of manors, farms,churches,advowsons,demesnelands,villages,hamlets,windmills,andwatermills,rentsofassize,rightsofcommonandfreewarren,andtheamountofallkindsofproperty,possessedby theTemplars inEnglandat theperiodof the takingof thisinquisition,areastonishing.Uponthegreatestatesbelongingto theOrder,prioralhouses hadbeen erected,wherein dwelt the procurators or stewards chargedwiththe management of the manors and farms in their neighbourhood, and with thecollection of the rents. These prioral houses became regular monasticestablishments,inhabitedchieflybysickandagedTemplars,whoretiredtothemtospendtheremainderoftheirdays,afteralongperiodofhonourableserviceagainstthe infidels in Palestine.Theywere cells to the principal house atLondon.Therewere also under them certain smaller administrations established for themanagementofthefarms,consistingofaKnightTemplar,towhomwereassociatedsome serving brothers of the Order, and a priest who acted as almoner. Thecommissionsormandatesdirectedby theMastersof theTemple to theofficersattheheadoftheseestablishments,werecalledprecepts,fromthecommencementofthem,Proecipimustibiweenjoinordirectyou,&c.&c.TheknightstowhomtheywereaddressedwerestyledProeceptoresTempli,orPreceptorsof theTemple,andthedistrictsadministeredbythemProeceptoria,orpreceptories.

*“Yea,andapartof that too,”saysSirWilliamDugdale, inhisoriginesjuridi-ciales, as appears from thefirstgrantthereoftoSirWilliamPaget,Knight,Pat.ii.EdwardVI.p.2.

† We read on many old charters and deeds, “Datum apud vetus Templum Londoniæ.” See an example,Nichols’Leicestershire,vol.iii.p.959;seealsotheaccount,inMatt.Par.andHoveden,oftheking’svisittoHughbishopofLincoln,wholaysickofafeverattheOldTemple,anddiedthere,the16thNovember,A.D.1200.

‡ Anno ab incarnatione Domini MCLXXX Y. facta estista inquisitio de terrarum donate ribus, et earumpossessoribus,ecclesiarumscil.etmolendinorum,etterrarumassisarum,etindominicohabitarum,etderedditibusassisis perAngliam, per fratremGalfridum filiumStephani, quando ipse suscepit balliamdeAnglia, qui summostudio pradicta inquirendo curam sollicitam exhibuit, ut majoris notitise posteris expressionem generaret, etpervicacibus omnimodamnocendi rescinderet facultatem.Ex. cod.MS. in Scacc. penesRemor.Regis, fol. i. a.;Dugd.Monast.Angl.vol.vi.partii.p.820.

It will now be as well to take a general survey of the possessions andorganizationof theOrder both inEurope andAsia, “whose circumstances,” saithWilliam archbishop of Tyre, writing from Jerusalem about the period of theconsecrationatLondonoftheTempleChurch,“areinsoflourishingastate,thatatthisdaytheyhaveintheirconvent(theTempleonMountMoriah)morethanthreehundred knights robed in the white habit, besides serving brothers innumerable.Theirpossessionsindeedbeyondsea,aswellasintheseparts,aresaidtobesovast,thattherecannotnowbeaprovinceinChristendomwhichdoesnotcontributetothesupportof the aforesaidbrethren,whosewealth is said to equal thatof sovereignprinces.”*

TheeasternprovincesoftheOrderwere:1-Palestine,therulingprovince;2-TheprincipalityofAntioch;3-TheprincipalityofTripoli.

1. PALESTINE.—Some account has already been given of the Temple atJerusalem,thechiefhouseoftheOrder,andtheresidenceoftheMaster.Inadditionto thestronggarrison theremaintained, theTemplarspossessednumerousforces,distributed in various fortresses and strongholds, for the preservation andprotectionoftheholyterritory.

*Quorum res adeo crevit in immensum, ut hodie, trecentc in conventu habeant equites, albis chlamydibusindutos:exceptisfratribus,quorumpeneinfinitusestnumerus.Possessionesautem,tamultraquamcitramare,adeodicunturimmensashabere,utjamnonsitinorbechristianoprovinciaquæprædictisfratribussuorumportionemnoncontulerit,etregiisopulentiispareshodiedicunturhaberecopias.—Will.Tyr.lib.xii.cap.7.

ThefollowingcastlesandcitiesofPalestineareenumeratedbythehistoriansoftheLatinkingdom,ashavingbelongedtotheOrderoftheTemple.

ThefortifiedcityofGaza,thekeyofthekingdomofJerusalemonthesidenexttoEgypt,ancientlyoneofthefivesatrapiesoftheLordsofthePhilistines,andthestrongholdofCambyseswhenheinvadedEgypt.

“PlacedwhereJudea’sutmostboundsextend,TowardsfairPelusium,Gaza’stowersascend.FastbythebreezyshorethecitystandsAmidunboundedplainsofbarrensands,Whichhighinairthefuriouswhirlwindssweep,Likemountainbillowsonthestormydeep,Thatscarcetheaffrightedtraveller,spentwithtoil,Escapesthetempestoftheunstablesoil.”

It was granted to the Templars, in perpetual sovereignty, by Baldwin king ofJerusalem.*

TheCastleofSaphet, in the territoryof theancient tribeofNaphtali; thegreatbulwarkofthenorthernfrontieroftheLatinkingdomonthesidenexttoDamascus.TheCastleof thePilgrims, intheneighbourhoodofMountCarmel.TheCastleofAssurnearJaffa,andtheHouseoftheTempleatJaffa.ThefortressofFaba,orLaFeue, theancientAphek,not far fromTyre, in the territoryof theancient tribeof

Asher.Thehill-fortDok,betweenBethelandJericho.ThecastlesofLaCave,Marie,Citern Rouge, Castel Blanc, Trapesach, Sominelleria of the Temple, in theneighbourhoodofAcca,nowSt.Johnd’Acre.CastrumPlanorum,andaplacecalledGerinumParvum.†TheTemplarspurchased thecastleofBeaufortand thecityofSidon;‡ theyalsogot into theirhandsagreatpartof the townofSt. Jeand’Acre,where they erected their famous temple, and almost all Palestine was in the enddividedbetweenthemandtheHospitallersofSaintJohn.

2.THEPRINCIPALITY OF ANTIOCH.—The principal houses of the Temple in thisprovincewereatAntiochitself,atAleppo,Haram,&c.

*DominusBaldwinusillustrismemorial,Hierosolymorumrexquartus,GazammunitissimamfratribusmilitiaTempli donavit,Will. Tyr. lib. xx. cap. 21.Milites Templi Gazam antiquam Palæetinæ civitatem reædificant, etturribusearnmuniunt,Rob.deMonte,appen.adchron.Sig.p.631.

†Marin.Sanut,p.221.BernardThesaur.p.768.RadulphCoggleshale, p.249.Hoveden,p.636.RadulphdeDiceto,utsup.p.623.Matt.Par.p.142.Italiasacra,tom.iii.p.407.

‡TuncJulianusDominusSydonisvendiditSydonemetBelfortTemplariis,Marin.Sanut,cap.vi.p.221.

3. THE PRINCIPALITY OF TRIPOLI.—The chief establishments herein were atTripoli,atTortosa,theancientAntaradus;Castel-blancinthesameneighbourhood;LaodiceaandBeyrout,—allunder the immediate superintendenceof thePreceptorof Tripoli. Besides these castles, houses, and fortresses, the Templars possessedfarmsandlargetractsofland,bothinSyriaandPalestine.

Thewestern nations or provinces, on the other hand, fromwhence theOrderderiveditschiefpowerandwealth,were:

1.APULIAANDSICILY, theprincipalhouseswhereofwereatPalermo,Syracuse,Lentini, Butera, andTrapani. The house of the Temple at this last place has beenappropriatedtotheuseofsomemonksoftheOrderofSt.Augustin.InachurchofthecityisstilltobeseenthecelebratedstatueoftheVirgin,whichBrotherGuerregeandthreeotherKnightsTemplarsbroughtfromtheEast,withaviewofplacingitintheTempleChurchon theAventinehill inRome,butwhich theywereobliged todeposit in the islandofSicily.Thiscelebratedstatue isof themostbeautifulwhitemarble,andrepresentstheVirginwiththeinfantJesusrecliningonherleftarm;itisof about the natural height, and, from an inscription oil the foot of the figure, itappearstohavebeenexecutedbyanativeoftheislandofCyprus,A.D.733.*

The Templars possessed valuable estates in Sicily, around the base ofMountEtna, and large tracts of land betweenPiazza andCalatagirone, in the suburbs ofwhich last place therewas a Temple house, the churchwhereof, dedicated to theVirgin Mary, still remains. They possessed also many churches in the island,windmills,rightsoffishery,ofpasturage,ofcuttingwoodintheforests,andmanyimportant privileges and immunities. The chief house was atMessina, where theGrandPriorresided.†

2.UPPERANDCENTRAL ITALY.—Thehousesorpreceptoriesof theOrderof theTemple in this province were very numerous, and were all under the immediate

superintendence of the Grand Prior or Preceptor of Rome. There were largeestablishments at Lucca, Milan, and Perugia, at which last place the arms of theTemplearestilltobeseenonthetoweroftheholycross.AtPlacentiatherewasamagnificentandextensiveconvent,calledSantaMariadelTempio,ornamentedwithaveryloftytower.AtBolognatherewasalsoalargeTemplehouse,andonaclockinthecityisthefollowinginscription,“MagisterTosseolusdeMiolâmefecit…Fr.PetrusdeBon,Procur.MilitioeTempliincuriâRomanâ,MCCCIII.”InthechurchofSt.Maryinthesameplace,whichformerlybelongedtotheKnightsTemplars,istheinteresting marble monument of Peter de Rotis, a priest of the Order. He isrepresentedonhistomb,holdingachaliceinhishandswiththehostelevatedaboveit,andbeneaththemonumentaleffigyisthefollowingepitaph:—

*AtlasMarianus,p.156;SiciliæAntiq.,tom.iii.col.1000.†Gallia Christiana nova, tom. iii. col. 118; Probat. tom. ix. col. 1067, tom. x. col. 1292, tom. xi. col. 46;

RoccusPyrrhus,Sicil.Antiq.tom.iii.col.1093,4,5,6,7,&c.

StirpeRotis,Petrus,virtutismunereclarus,StrenuuseccepugilChristi,jacetordinecharus;Vesteferens,mentequecrucem,nuncsiderascandit,Exemplumnobisspectandicælicapandit:AnnistertrinisvigintimilletrecentisSextaquartemaiifregitluxorganamentis.”*

PORTUGAL.—In the province or nation of Portugal, the military power andresources of theOrder of the Templewere exercised in almost constantwarfareagainst theMoors, and Europe derived essential advantage from the enthusiasticexertionsof thewarlikemonks in thatquarteragainst the infidels. Ineverybattle,indeed,foughtinthesouthofEurope,aftertheyear1130,againsttheenemiesofthecross,theKnightsTemplarsaretobefoundtakinganactiveanddistinguishedpart,andinalltheconflictsagainsttheinfidels,bothinthewestandintheeast,theywereeverintheforemostrank,battlingnoblyindefenceoftheChristianfaith.Withallthe princes and sovereigns of the great Spanish peninsula they were extremelypopular, and they were endowed with cities, villages, lordships, and splendiddomains. Many of the most important fortresses and castles in the land wereentrusted to their safe keeping, and some were yielded to them in perpetualsovereignty. They possessed, in Portugal, the castles of Monsento, Idanha, andTomar; the citadel of Langrovia in the province of Beira, on the banks of theRiopisco; and the fortress of Miravel in Estremadura, taken from the Moors, astrongplaceperchedonthesummitofaloftyeminence.

They had large estates at Castromarin, Almural, and Tavirs in Algarve, andhouses, rents, revenues, and possessions, in all parts of the country. The GrandPrior or Preceptor of Portugal resided at the castle of Tomar. It is seated on theriver Narboan in Estremadura, and is still to be seen towering in gloomymagnificenceonthehillabovethetown.ThecastleatpresentbelongstotheOrder

ofChrist,andwaslatelyoneofthegrandestandrichestestablishmentsinPortugal.Itpossesseda splendid library,andahandsomecloister, thearchitectureofwhichwasmuchadmired.†

CASTILEANDLEON.—Thehousesorpreceptoriesof theTemplemostknowninthisprovinceornationoftheOrderwerethoseofCuencaandGuadalfagiara,TineandAvilesinthedioceseofOviedo,andPontevredainGalicia.InCastilealonetheOrderissaidtohavepossessedtwenty-fourbailiwicks.*

*PetrusMariaCampusHist.Placent.part ii.n.28;PauliM.Paciandi de cultuS. JohannisBapt.Antiq. p.297.

†Descriptionetdelicesd’Espagne,tom.iii.p.259;HistPortugal,LaClede,tom.i.p.200,202,&c.;Hispaniaillustrata,tom.iii.p.49.

ARAGON.—The sovereigns of Aragon, who had suffered grievously from theincursions of theMoors,were the first of the European princes to recognize theutilityoftheOrderoftheTemple.Theyendowedthefraternitywithvastrevenues,and ceded to them some of the strongest fortresses in the kingdom. TheKnightsTemplars possessed inAragon the castles ofDumbel, Cabanos, Azuda, Granena,Chalonere,Remolins,Corbins,LoMasdeBarbaran,Moncon,andMontgausi,withtheir territories and dependencies. They were lords of the cities of Borgia andTortosa;theyhadatenthpartoftherevenuesofthekingdom,thetaxesofthetownsofHuescaandSaragossa,andhouses,possessions,privileges,andimmunitiesinallparts.†

TheTemplars likewisepossessed landsandestates in theBalearic Isles,whichwereunderthemanagementofthePriororPreceptoroftheislandofMajorca,whowassubjecttotheGrandPreceptorofAragon.

GERMANYANDHUNGARY.—ThehousesmostknowninthisterritorialdivisionoftheOrderarethoseintheelectorateofMayence,atHomburg,Assenheim,Rotgenin the Rhingau, Mongberg in the Marché of Brandenbourg, Nuitz on the Rhine,Tissia Altmunmunster near Ratisbon in Bavaria, Bamberg, Middlebourg, Hall,Brunswick, &c. &c. The Templars possessed the fiefs of Rorich, Pausin andWildenheuhinPomerania,anestablishmentatBachinHungary,severallordshipsinBohemia andMoravia, and lands, tithes, and large revenues, the gifts of piousGermancrusaders.‡

GREECE.—TheTemplarswerepossessedof landsandhadestablishments intheMorea, and in several parts of the Greek empire. Their chief house was atConstantinople,inthequartercalled‘Oμovia,wheretheyhadanoratorydedicatedtotheholymartyrsMarinandPentaleon.§

FRANCE.—Theprincipal preceptories andhouses of theTemple, in thepresentkingdomofFrance,wereatBesancon,Dole,Salins,àlaRomagne,àlavilleDieu,ArboisinFrancheComté.**

Bomgarten, Temple Savigné nearCorbeil,Dorlesheim nearMolsheim,where

therestillremainsachapelcalledTemplehoff,Ribauvillier,andaTemplehouseintheplainnearBercheiminAlsace.

* Annales Minorum, tom. p. 247; tom. vi. p. 211, 218; tom. viii. p. 26, 27; tom. ix. p. 130, 141.—Campomanes.

† MaremHispanicæ,col.1291,1292,1304.Gallchrist.nov.tom.i.col.195.Mariana,de.reb.Hisp.lib.ii.cap.23.

‡Script,rer.Germ.tom.ii.col.584.AnnalesMinorum,tom.vi.p.6,95,177.SueviaandVertenbergiasacra,p. 74. Annal. Bamb. p. 186. Notitiæ episcopatûsMiddeIb. p. 11. Scrip, de rebusMarchiæ; Brandeburg, p. 13.Aventinusannal.lib.vii.cap.1.n.7.Gall.christ.nov.tom.viii.col.1382;tom.i.col.1129.

§Constantinopolischristians,lib.iv.p.157.**Hist,del’EglisedeBesancon,tom.ii.p.397,421,450,474,445,470,509,&c.

Bures,VoulainelesTempliers,Ville-sous-Gevrey,otherwiseSt.Philibert,Dijon,Fauverney,where a chapel dedicated to theVirgin still preserves the nameof theTemple,DesFeuilles,situateintheparishofVillett,nearthechateaudeVernay,St.Martin,LeChastel,Espesses,TessonesnearBourges,andLaMusse,situatebetweenBaujéandMaconinBurgundy.*

Montpelier,Sertelage,NogaradenearPamiers,Falgairas,NarbonneSt.Eulaliede Bezieres, Prugnanas, and the parish church of St. Martin d’Ubertas inLanguedoc.†

TempleCahor,TempleMarigny,Arras,LeParc, St.Vaubourg, andRouen, inNormandy.Therewere twohousesof theTempleatRouen;oneof themoccupiedthesiteofthepresentmaisonconsulaire,andtheotherstoodinthestreetnowcalledLaRuedesHermites.‡ThepreceptoriesandhousesoftheTempleinFrance,indeed,were so numerous, that it would be a wearisome and endless task to repeat thenames of them. Hundreds of places in the different provinces are mentioned byFrenchwritersashavingbelongedtotheTemplars.BetweenJoinvilleandSt.DiziermaystillbeseentheremainsofTempleRuet,anoldchateausurroundedbyamoat;andinthedioceseofMeauxaretheruinsofthegreatmanorialhouseofChoisyleTemple.Manyinterestingtombsaretherevisible,togetherwiththerefectoryoftheknights,whichhasbeenconvertedintoasheepfold.

The chief house of the Order for France, and also for Holland and theNetherlands, was the Temple at Paris, an extensive and magnificent structure,surroundedbyawall andaditch. It extendedover all that large spaceofground,nowcoveredwithstreetsandbuildings,whichliesbetweentherueduTemple,therueSt.Croix,andtheenvironsdelaVerrerie,asfarasthewallsandthefossesoftheportduTemple.Itwasornamentedwithagreattower,flankedbyfoursmallertowers, erected by the Knight Templar Brother Herbert, almoner to the king ofFrance,andwasoneofthestrongestedificesinthekingdom.§ManyofthemodernstreetsofPariswhichnowtraversethesiteofthisinterestingstructure,preserveinthenamesgiventothemsomememorialoftheancientTemple.Forinstance,LarueduTemple,LaruedesfossésduTemple,BoulevardduTemple,FaubourgduTemple,

ruedeFaubourgduTemple,VieillerueduTemple,&c.&c.

*Hist,del’EglisedeSt.EtienneàDijon,p.133,137,205.Hist,deBresse,tom.i.p.52,55,84.†Hist.gen.deLanguedoc,liy.ii.p.523;liv.xvi,p.362;liv.xvii.p.427;liv.xxii.p.25,226.Gall,christ.tom.

vi.col.727.MarteneThesaur.anecd.tom.i.col.575.‡Gall, christ. nor. tom. i. p. 32; tom. iii. col. 333; tom. ii. col. 46, 47, and 72.LaMartiniere diet, geogr.

Mariene,ampLcollect,tom.vi.col.226.Gloss,nov.tom.iii.col.223.§HistoiredelavilledeParis,tom.i.p.174.Gall,christ,nov.tom.vii.col.853.

All the houses of the Temple in Holland and the Netherlands were under theimmediate jurisdiction of theMaster of the Temple at Paris. The preceptories inthesekingdomswereverynumerous,andthepropertydependentuponthemwasofgreatvalue.Thosemostknownare thepreceptoriesofTrevesandDietrichontheSoure,theruinsofwhichlaststillremain;Coberne,ontheleftbankoftheMoselle,afewmilesfromCob-lentz;Belisch,TempleSpele,TempleRodtnearVianden,andthe Temple at Luxembourg, where in the time of Broverus there existedconsiderable remains of the refectory, of the church, and of some stone wallscoveredwithpaintings;TemplehuisnearGhent,thepreceptoryofAlphen,Braeckel,lamaisondeSlipesnearOstend,foundedbythecountsofFlanders;TempleCaestrenear Mount Cassel; Villiers le Temple en Condros, between Liege and Huy;Vaillenpont, Walsberge, Haut Avenes near Arras; Temploui near Fleuru in thedepartment of Namur; Vernoi in Hainault; Temple Dieu at Douai; Marles nearValenciennes;St.SymphoniernearMons,&c.&c.*

Inthesecountries,aswellasinallpartsofEuropewherevertheyweresettled,the Templars possessed vast privileges and immunities, which were conceded tothembypopes,kings,andprinces.

ENGLAND.—Therewere in bygone times the following preceptories ofKnightTemplarsinthepresentkingdomofEngland:

Aslakeby, Temple Bruere, Egle, Malteby, Mere, Wiiketon, and Witham, inLincolnshire.

NorthFeriby,TempleHurst,TempleNewsom,Pafflete,Flaxflete,andRibstane,inYorkshire.

TempleCumbeinSomersetshire.Ewell,StrodeandSwingfield,nearDover,inKent.Hadescoe,inNorfolk.BalsallandWarwick,inWarwickshire.TempleRothley,inLeicestershire.WilburghamMagna,Daney,andDokesworth,inCambridgeshire.Halston,inShropshire.TempleDynnesley,inHertfordshire.TempleCressingandSutton,inEssex.SaddlescombandChapelay,inSussex.Schepeley,inSurrey.

TempleCowley,Sandford,Bistelesham,andChalesey,inOxfordshire.TempleHockley,inWiltshire.UpledenandGarwy,inHerefordshire.SouthBadeisley,inHampshire.

*AnnalesTrevir.Tom.ii.p.91,197,479.Prodromushist.Trevir.p.1077Bertholethist.deLuxembourg,tom.v.p.145.Joh.Bapt.Antiq.FlandriæGandavum,p.24,207.Antiq.Bredanæ,p.12,23.Austroburgus,p.115.AubMiroeiDiplomat.tom.ii.p.1165,&c.

Getinges,inWorcestershire.GiselinghamandDunwich,inSuffolk.*There were also several smaller administrations established, as before

mentioned, for themanagementof the farmsand lands, and thecollectionof rentandtithes.AmongthesewereLiddeleandQuielyinthedioceseofChichester;EkeninthedioceseofLincoln;Adingdon,Wesdall,Aupledina,Cotona,&c.Thedifferentpreceptors of the Temple in England had under their management lands andpropertyineverycountyoftherealm.†

InLeicestershiretheTemplarspossessedthetownandthesokeofRotheley;themanorsofRolle,Babbegrave,Gaddesby,Stonesby,andMelton;Rothelywood,nearLeicester; the villages ofBeaumont,Baresby,Dalby,North and SouthMardefeld,Saxby,Stonesby,andWaldon,with land inaboveeightyothers!Theyhadalso thechurches of Rotheley, Babbegrave, and Rolle; and the chapels of Gaddesby,Grimston,Wartnaby,Cawdwell,andWykeham.‡

InHertfordshiretheypossessedthetownandforestofBroxbourne,themanorofChelsin Templars, (Chelsin Templariorum), and the manors of Laugenok,Broxbourne,Letchworth,andTempleDynnesley;demesnelandsatStanho,Preston,Charlton, Walden, Hiche, Chelles, Levecamp, and Benigho; the church ofBroxbourne, twowatermills,andalockontheriverLea:alsopropertyatHichen,Pyrton,Ickilford,OffeleyMagna,OffeleyParva,WaldenRegis,Furnivale,Ipolitz,Wandsmyll, Watton, Therleton, Weston, Gravele, Wilien, Leccheworth, Baldock,Datheworth,Russenden,Codpeth,Sumershale,Buntynford,&c.&c.,andthechurchofWeston.§

In the county of Essex they had the manors of Temple Cressynge, TempleRoydon,Temple Sutton,Odewell,Chingelford, Lideleye,Quarsing,Berwick, andWitham; the church ofRoydon, and houses, lands, and farms, both atRoydon, atRivenhall, and in the parishes of Prittlewall and Great and Little Sutton; an oldmansion-houseandchapelatSutton,andanestatecalledFinchinfeldeinthehundredofHinckford.**

In Lincolnshire the Templars possessed the manors of La Bruere, Roston,Kirkeby,Brauncewell,Carleton,Akele,withthesokeofLynderbyAslakeby,andthechurchesofBruere,Asheby,Akele,Aslakeby,Donington,Ele,Swinderby,Skarle,&c. There were upwards of thirty churches in the county which made annual

paymentstotheOrderoftheTemple,andaboutfortywindmills,theOrderlikewisereceived rents in respectof landsatBracebrig,Brancetone,Scapwic,Timberlaiid,Weleburne, Eringhton, and a hundred other places; and some of the land in thecountywaschargedwiththeannualpaymentofsumsofmoneytowardsthekeepingofthelightseternallyburningonthealtarsoftheTemplechurch.*

*Dugd.Monast.Angl.vol.vi.part2,p.800to817.ConciliaMagnæBritanniæ,tom.iii.p.333to382.ActaRymeri,tom.iii.p.279,288,291,295,&c.

†ActaRymeritom.iii.p.279,288,291,297,&c.‡Nichols’hist,ofLeicestershire.§Clutterbuck’shistHertfordshire.Chaunoey,antiq.HertActaRymeri,tom.iii.p.133134.DodsworthyM.S.

volxxiv.**Morant’shist.Essex,Rymer.tom.iii.p.290to294.

WilliamLord ofAsheby gave to theTemplars the perpetual advowson of thechurchofAshebyinLincolnshire,andtheyinreturnagreedtofindhimapriesttosingforevertwiceaweekinhischapelofSt.Margaret.†

InYorkshire theTemplars possessed themanors of templeWerreby, Flaxflete,Etton, South Cave, &c.; the churches of Whitcherche, Kelintune, &c.; numerouswindmillsandlandsandrentsatNehus,Skelture,Pennel,andmorethansixtyotherplacesbesides.‡

InWarwickshire they possessed the manors of Barston, Shirburne, Balshale,Wolfhey,Cherlecote,Herbebure,Stodleye,Fechehampstead,Cobington,TyshoandWarwick; lands at Chelverscoton, Herdwicke, Morton, Warwick, Hetherburn,Chesterton, Aven, Derset, Stodley, Napton, andmore than thirty other places, theseveral donorswhereof are specified inDugdale’s history ofWarwickshire; alsothechurchesofSireburne,Cardinton,&c.,andmorethanthirteenwindmills.In12Hen.II.,WilliamEarlofWarwickbuiltanewchurchforthematWarwick.§

In Kent they had the manors of Lilleston, Hechewayton, Saunford, Sutton,Dartford, Halgel, Ewell, Cocklescomb, Strode, Swinkfield Mennes, WestGreenwich, and the manor of Lydden, which now belongs to the archbishop ofCanterbury; the advowsons of the churches ofWest Greenwich and KingeswodejuxtaWaltham;extensivetractsoflandinRomneymarsh,andfarmsandassizerentsinallpartsofthecounty.**

InSussextheyhadthemanorsofSaddlescombandShipley;landsandtenementsat Compton and other places; and the advowsons of the churches of Shipley,Wodmancote,andLuschwyke.††

InSurreytheyhadthemanorformofTempleElfandorElfante,andanestateatMerrow in the hundred of Woking. In Gloucestershire, the manors of LowerDowdeswell, Pegsworth, Amford, Nishange, and five others which belonged tothemwhollyorinpart,thechurchofDownAmmey,andlandsinFramton,TempleGuting,andLittleRissington.InWorcestershirethemanorofTemplarsLawern,andlandsinFlavel,TempleBroughton,andHanbury.*InNorthamptonshire,themanors

ofAsheby,Thorp,Watervill,&c.&c.; theyhad theadvowsonof thechurchof themanor of Hardwicke in Orlington hundred, and we find that “Robert Saunford,MasterofthesoldieryoftheTempleinEngland,”presentedtoitintheyear1238.†InNottinghamshire,theTemplarspossessedthechurchofMarnham,landsandrentsatGrettonandNorthCarleton;inWestmoreland,themanorofTempleSowerby;inthe Isle of Wight, the manor of Uggeton, and lands in Kerne.‡ But it would betediousfurthertocontinuewithadrydetailofancientnamesandplaces;sufficienthasbeensaidtogiveanideaoftheenormouswealthoftheOrderinthiscountry,where it is known tohavepossessed somehundredsofmanors, the advowsonorright of presentation to churches innumerable, and thousands of acres of arableland,pasture,andwoodland,besidesvillages,farm-houses,mills,andtithes,rightsofcommon,offishing,ofcuttingwoodinforests,&c.&c.

*Redditusomniumecclesiarumetmolendinorumet terrarumdebailliâdeLincolnscire.Inquis. terrar.utsup.fol.41bto48band49a.Peck’sMS.inMuseoBritannico,vol.iv.fol.95etseq.

†Peck’sMS.utsup.fol.95.‡Inquis.ut.sup.58bto65b.§Inquis.terror.utsup.fol.12ato23a.DodsworthMS.vol.xx.p.65,67,exquodamrotulotangenteterras

Templariorum.Rot.42,46,p.964.Dugd.Baron,tom.i.p.70.**Monast.Angl.utsup.p.840.Hasted.hist.Kent.††Excod.MS.inofficioarmorum,L.xvii.fol.141a.CalendariumInquis.postmortem,p.13.18.

There were also several preceptories in Scotland and Ireland, which weredependentontheTempleatLondon.

The annual income of theOrder inEurope has been roughly estimated at sixmillions sterling! According to Matthew Paris, the Templars possessed ninethousand manors or lordships in Christendom, besides a large revenue andimmenserichesarisingfromtheconstantcharitablebequestsanddonationsofsumsofmoneyfrompiouspersons.§“Theywerealsoendowed,”saysJamesofYitry,bishopofAcre,“withfarms,towns,andvillages,toanimmenseextentbothintheEastandintheWest,outoftherevenuesofwhichtheysendyearlyacertainsumofmoneyforthedefenceoftheHolyLandtotheirheadMasteratthechiefhouseoftheir order in Jerusalem.”** The Templars, in imitation of the other monasticestablishments,obtainedfrompiousandcharitablepeoplealltheadvowsonswithintheir reach, and frequently retained the tithe and the glebe in their own hands,deputing a priest of the Order to perform divine service and administer thesacraments.

*Manning’sSurrey.Atkyn’sGloucestershire;andseethereferencesinTannerNash’sWorcestershire.† Bridge’sNorthamptonshire,vol.ii.p.100.‡Thoroton’sNottinghamshire.BurnandNicholson’sWestmoreland.Worsley’sIsleofWight.§Habuerunt insuperTemplarii inChristianitatenovemmilliamaneriorum .… . præter emolumenta et varios

proventuexfraternitatibusetprædicationibusprovenientes,etperprivilegiasuaaccrescent.Mat.Par.p.615,ed.Lond.1640.

**Amplisautempossesaionibustamcitramarequamultraditatisuntinimmensum,villas,civitatesetoppida,

exquibuscertampecuniaesummam,prodefensioneTerraSanctse,summoeorummagirocujussedesprincipaliseratinJerusalem,mittuntannuatim.—Jac.deVitr.Hist.Hierosol.p.1084.

ThemanorsoftheTemplarsproducedthemrenteitherinmoney,corn,orcattle,andtheusualproduceofthesoil.Bythecustominsomeofthesemanors,thetenantswereannuallytomowthreedaysinharvest,oneatthechargeofthehouse;andtoplough threedays,whereofoneat the likecharge; to reaponeday,atwhich timethey should have a ram from the house, eight-pence, twenty-four loaves, and acheeseofthebestinthehouse,togetherwithapailfulofdrink.Thetenantswerenotto sell their horse-colts, if they were foaled upon the land belonging to theTemplars,without theconsentof the fraternity,normarry theirdaughterswithouttheir license. Therewere also various regulations concerning the cocks and hensandyoungchickens.*

WehavepreviouslygivenanaccountoftheroyaldonationsofKingHenrytheFirst,ofKingStephenandhisqueen, to theOrderof theTemple.Thesewere farsurpassedbythepiousbenefactionsofKingHenrytheSecond.Thatmonarch,forthegoodofhissoulandthewelfareofhiskingdom,grantedtheTemplarsaplacesituateontheriverFleet,nearBarnard’sCastle,withthewholecurrentofthatriveratLondon,forerectingamill;†alsoamessuagenearFleet-street;thechurchofSt.Clement (“quæ dicitur Dacorum extra civitatem Londoniæ”) and the churches ofElle,SwinderbyandSkarleinLincolnshire,KingeswodejuxtaWalthaminKent,themanorofStroder in thehundredofSkamele, thevillofKele inStaffordshire, thehermitageofFlikeamstede,andallhislandsatLangeCureway,ahouseinBrosal,and themarket ofWitham; lands at Berghotte, amill at the bridge of PembrokeCastle,thevillofFinchingfelde,themanorofRotheleywithitsappurtenances,andtheadvowsonofthechurchanditsseveralchapels,themanorofBlalcolvesley,thepark of Haleshall, and three fat bucks annually, either from Essex or WindsorForest.HelikewisegrantedthemanannualfairatTempleBruere,andsuperaddedmanyrichbenefactionsinIreland.*

*Masculum poll am, si natus sit super terram domus, vendere non possunt sine licentiâ fratrum. Si filiamhabent,darenonpossuntsinelicentiâfratrum.Inquisitioterrarum,utsupr.fol.18a.

† The Templars, by diverting the water, created a great nuisance. In A.D. 1290, the Prior et fratres deCarmelo (thewhite friars) complained to the king in parliament of the putrid exhalations arising from theFleetriver,whichweresopowerfulastoovercomeall thefrankincenseburntat theiraltarduringdivineservice,andhadoccasioned thedeathsofmanyof theirbrethren.Theybeg that thestenchmaybe removed, lest theyalsoshouldperish.TheFriarspreachers (black friars) and thebishopofSalisbury (whosehouse stood inSalisbury-court)madeasimilarcomplaint;asdidalsoHenryLacy,EarlofLincoln,whoallegesthattheTemplars(ipsidenovoTemplo)hadturnedoffthewateroftherivertotheirmillsatCastleBaignard.—Rot.Parl.vol.i.p.60,200.

The principal benefactors to theTemplars amongst the nobilitywereWilliamMarshall,earlofPembroke,andhissonsWilliamandGilbert;Robert,lorddeRos;the earl of Hereford; William, earl of Devon; the king of Scotland; William,archbishopofYork;PhilipHarcourt,deanofLincoln;theearlofCornwall;Philip,

bishop of Bayeux; Simon de Senlis, earl of Northampton; Leticia and William,countandcountessofFerrara;Margaret,countessofWarwick;SimondeMontfort,earl of Leicester; Robert deHarecourt, lord ofRosewarden;William deVernon,earlofDevon,&c.&c.†

TheTemplars,inadditiontotheiramazingwealth,enjoyedvastprivilegesandimmunitieswithin this realm. In the reign ofKing John theywere freed fromallamerciamentsintheExchequer,andobtainedtheprivilegeofnotbeingcompelledtopleadexceptbefore thekingorhischief justice.KingHenry theThirdgrantedthemfreewarreninalltheirdemesnelands;andbyhisfamouscharter,datedthe9thof February, in the eleventh year of his reign, he confirmed to them all thedonationsof his predecessors andof their other benefactors;with soc‡ and sac,§tol|| and theam,¶ infangenethef,** and unfangenethef,†† and hamsoca, andgrithbrich, and blodwite, and flictwite, and hengewite, and learwite, andflemenefrith, murder, robbery, forestal, ordel, and oreste; and he acquitted themfrom the royal and sheriff’s aids, and from hidage, carucage, danegeld andhornegeld, and frommilitary andwapentake services, scutages, tallages, lastages,stallages, fromshiresandhundreds,pleasandquarrels, fromwardandwardpeny,andaverpeni,andhundredespeni,andborethalpeni,andthethingepeni,andfromtheworksofparks,castles,bridges,thebuildingofroyalhousesandallotherworks;andalsofromwasteregardandviewofforesters,andfromtollinallmarketsandfairs, and at all bridges, and upon all highways throughout the kingdom.And healsogavethemthechattelsoffelonsandfugitives,andallwaifswithintheirfee.‡‡

In addition to these particular privileges, the Templars enjoyed, under theauthorityof thePapalbulls,various immunitiesandadvantages,whichgavegreatumbragetotheclergy.Theywerefreed,asbeforementioned,fromtheobligationofpayingtithes,andmight,withtheconsentofthebishop,receivethem.NobrotheroftheTemplecouldbeexcommunicatedbyanybishoporpriest,norcouldanyofthe churches of the Order be laid under interdict except by virtue of a specialmandate from the holy see.When any brother of the Temple, appointed tomakecharitable collections for the succour of the Holy Land, should arrive at a city,castle, or village, which had been laid under interdict, the churches, on theirwelcome coming, were to be thrown open, (once within the year), and divineservicewastobeperformedinhonouroftheTemple,andinreverencefortheholysoldiersthereof.Theprivilegeofsanctuarywasthrownaroundtheirdwellings;andbyvariouspapalbullsitissolemnlyenjoinedthatnopersonshalllayviolenthandseither upon the persons or the property of those flying for refuge to theTemplehouses.*

* Ex cod.MS. in officio armorum, L. xvii. fol. 141 a.Dugd.Monast. Angl. at sup. p. 838.Tanner, Notit.Monast.

† Dugd.Baronage.Monast.Angl.p.800to844.‡Powertoholdcourts;§toimposeandlevyfinesandamerciamentsupontheirtenants;||tobuyandsell,or

toholdakindofmarket;¶tojudgeandpunishtheirvillainsandvassals;**totrythievesandmalefactorsbelongingtotheirmanors,andtakenwithintheprecinctsthereof;††tojudgeforeignthievestakenwithinthesaidmanors,&c.‡‡Cart.11.Hen.3.M.33.Dugd.Monast.P.844.

Sir Edward Coke, in the second part of the Institute of the Laws of England,observes, that “theTemplars did so overspread throughoutChristendome, and soexceedingly increased in possessions, revenues, and wealth, and specially inEngland,asyouwillwondertoreadeinapprovedhistories,andwithallobtainedsogreatandlargepriviledges,liberties,andimmunitiesforthemselves,theirtenants,and farmers,&c., as no other order had the like.”†He further observes, that theKnights Templars were cruce signati, and as the cross was the ensign of theirprofession,and their tenantsenjoyedgreatprivileges, theydiderectcrossesupontheirhouses,totheendthatthoseinhabitingthemmightbeknowntobethetenantsof the Order, and thereby be freed from many duties and services which othertenantsweresubjectunto;“andmanytenantsofotherlords,perceivingthestateandgreatnesseoftheknightsofthesaidorder,andwithallseeingthegreatpriviledgestheirtenantsenjoyed,didsetupcrossesupontheirhouses,astheirverytenantsusedtodototheprejudiceoftheirlords.”

ThisabuseledtothepassingofthestatuteofWestminster,thesecond,chap.33,‡whichrecites,thatmanytenantsdidsetupcrossesorcausethemtobesetupontheirlandsinprejudiceoftheirlords,thatthetenantsmightdefendthemselvesagainstthechieflordofthefeebytheprivilegesofTemplarsandHospitallers,andenactsthatsuchlandsshouldbeforfeitedtothechieflordsortotheking.

Sir Edward Coke observes, that the Templars were freed from tenths andfifteenthstobepaidtotheking;thattheyweredischargedofpurveyance;thattheycould not be sued for any ecclesiastical cause before the ordinary, sed coramconservatoribussuorumprivilegiorum;andthatofancient timetheyclaimedthatafelonmighttaketotheirhouses,havingtheircrossesforhissafety,aswellastoanychurch. * And concerning these conservers or keepers of their privileges, heremarks, that theTemplarsandHospitallers“heldanecclesiasticallcourtbeforeacanonist, whom they termed conservator privilegiorum suorum, which judge hadindeedmoreauthoritythanwasconvenient,anddiddayly,inrespectoftheheightofthesetwoorders,andattheirinstanceanddirection,incroachuponandholdpleaofmattersdeterminablebythecommonlaw,forcuipluslicetquamparest,plusvultquamlicet;andthiswasonegreatmischiefe.Anothermischiefewas,thatthisjudge,likewiseattheirinstance,incaseswhereinhehadjurisdiction,wouldmakegeneralcitations as pro salute animoe, and the like, without expressing the matterwhereupon the citation was made, which also was against law, and tended to thegrievousvexationofthesubject.”†Toremedytheseevils,anotheractofparliamentwaspassed,prohibitingHospitallersandTemplarsfrombringinganymaninpleabefore the keepers of their privileges, for any matter the knowledge whereof

belonged to the king’s court, and commanding such keepers of their privilegesthenceforthtograntnocitationsattheinstanceofHospitallersandTemplars,beforeitbeexpresseduponwhatmatterthecitationoughttobemade.‡

*ActeRymeri,tomi.p.54,298,574,575.†Page431.‡13EdwardI.

HavinggivenanoutlineofthegreatterritorialpossessionsoftheOrderoftheTempleinEurope,itnowremainsforustopresentasketchofitsorganisationandgovernmentTheMasteroftheTemple,thechiefoftheentirefraternity,rankedasasovereignprince,andhadprecedenceofallambassadorsandpeers in thegeneralcouncils of the church. He was elected to his high office by the chapter of thekingdomofJerusalem,whichwascomposedofalltheknightsoftheEastandoftheWest who could manage to attend. The Master had his general and particularchapters.The firstwerecomposedof theGrandPriorsof theeasternandwesternprovinces, and of all the knights present in the holy territory. The assembling ofthesegeneralchapters,however, in thedistant landofPalestine,wasauselessandalmost impracticable undertaking, and it is only on the journeys of theMaster toEurope, thatwehearof theconvocationof theGrandPriorsof theWest toattendupontheirchief.ThegeneralchapterscalledtogetherbytheMasterinEuropewereheldatParis,andtheGrandPriorofEnglandalwaysreceivedasummonstoattend.Theordinarybusinessandthegovernmentofthefraternityinsecularmatterswereconducted by theMasterwith the assistance of his particular chapter of the Latinkingdom,whichwascomposedofsuchoftheGrandPriorsandchiefdignitariesoftheTempleashappened tobepresent in theEast,andsuchof theknightsasweredeemedthewisestandmostfittogivecounsel.Intheselastchaptersvisitors-generalwereappointedtoexamineintotheadministrationofthewesternprovinces.

*2Inst.p.432.†2Inat.p.465.‡Stat.Westr.2,cap.43,13Ed.I.

The western nations or provinces of the Order were presided over by theprovincial Masters,* otherwise Grand Priors or Grand Preceptors, who wereoriginally appointed by the chief Master at Jerusalem, and were in theory meretrusteesorbareadministratorsoftherevenuesofthefraternity,accountabletothetreasurergeneralatJerusalem,andremoveableatthepleasureoftheChiefMaster.As the numbers, possessions, and wealth of the Templars, however, increased,variousabusessprangup.ThemembersoftheOrder,after theiradmittancetothevows,very frequently, insteadofproceedingdirect toPalestine towaragainst theinfidels,settleddownupontheirpropertyinEurope,andconsumedathomealargeproportion of those revenues which ought to have been faithfully and strictly

forwardedtothegeneraltreasuryattheHolyCity.Theyerectednumerousconventsorpreceptories,withchurchesandchapels,andraisedupineachwesternprovinceaframeworkofgovernmentsimilartothatoftherulingprovinceofPalestine.

ThechiefhouseoftheTempleinEngland,forexample,afteritsremovalfromHolbornBars to the banks of the Thames,was regulated and organised after themodel of the house of the Temple at Jerusalem. The superior is always styled“MasteroftheTemple,”andholdshischaptersandhashisofficerscorrespondingto those of the chief Master in Palestine. The latter, consequently, came to bedenominated Magnus Magister, or Grand Master,† by our English writers, todistinguishhimfromtheMasteratLondon,andhenceforthhewillbedescribedbythat title to prevent confusion. The titles given indeed to the superiors of thedifferentnationsorprovincesintowhichtheOrderoftheTemplewasdivided,arenumerousandsomewhatperplexing.IntheEast,theseofficerswereknownonly,inthefirstinstance,bythetitleofPrior,asPriorofEngland,PriorofFrance,PriorofPortugal,&c.,andafterwardsPreceptorofEngland,preceptorofFrance,&c.;butinEurope theywere calledGrandPriors andGrandPreceptors, to distinguish themfromtheSubpriorsandSub-preceptors,andalsoMastersoftheTemple.ThePriorand Preceptor of England, therefore, and the Grand Prior, Grand Preceptor, andMasteroftheTempleinEngland,wereoneandthesameperson.TherewerealsoattheNewTempleatLondon, in imitationof theestablishmentat thechiefhouse inPalestine, in addition to the Master, the Preceptor of the Temple, the Prior ofLondon, the Treasurer, and the Guardian of the church, who had three chaplainsunderhim,calledreaders.*

*ThetitleMasteroftheTemplewassogenerallyappliedtothesuperiorsofthewesternprovinces,thatwefindintheGreekofthelowerempire,thewords Ducange.Gloss

†Alsosummusmagister,magistergeneralis.

The Master at London had his general and particular, or his ordinary andextraordinary chapters. The first were composed of the grand preceptors ofScotland and Ireland, and all the provincial priors and preceptors of the threekingdoms,whoweresummonedonceayeartodeliberateonthestateof theHolyLand,toforwardsuccour,togiveanaccountoftheirstewardship,andtoframenewrules and regulations for the management of the temporalities.† The ordinarychapters were held at the different preceptories, which theMaster of the Templevisitedinsuccession.InthesechaptersnewmemberswereadmittedintotheOrder;landswerebought,sold,andexchanged;andpresentationsweremadebytheMastertovacantbenefices.Manyofthegrantsandotherdeedsof thesechapters,withthesealoftheOrderoftheTempleannexedtothem,aretobemetwithinthepublicandprivatecollectionsofmanuscripts in thiscountry.Oneof themost interestingandbestpreserved,istheHarleiancharter(83,c.39),intheBritishMuseum,whichisagrantoflandmadebyBrotherWilliamdelaMore,themartyr,thelastMasterofthe

Temple inEngland, to theLordMilo de Stapleton. It is expressed to bemade byhim,withthecommonconsentandadviceofhischapter,heldatthePreceptoryofDynneslee, on the feast ofSaintBarnabas theApostle, and concludes, “Inwitnesswhereof, we have to this present indenture placed the seal of our chapter.”‡ Afacsimile of this seal is given on the page above.On the reverse of it is aman’shead,decoratedwithalongbeard,andsurmountedbyasmallcap,andarounditarethe letters TESTISV-MAGI. The same seal is to be met with on various otherindenturesmadebytheMasterandChapteroftheTemple.§Themoreearlysealsaresurroundedwiththewords,SigillumMilitisTempli,“SealoftheKnightoftheTemple;”asinthecaseofthedeedofexchangeoflandsatNormantonintheparishof Botisford, in Leicestershire, entered into between Brother Amadeas deMorestello,MasterofthechivalryoftheTempleinEngland,andhischapter,oftheone part, and the Lord Henry de Colevile, Knight, of the other part. The sealannexedtothisdeedhastheadditionofthewordMilitis,butinotherrespectsitissimilartotheoneabovedelineated.**

TheMasteroftheTemplewascontrolledbythevisitors-generaloftheOrder,††whowereknightsspeciallydeputedbytheGrandMasterandconventofJerusalemto visit the different provinces, to reform abuses, make new regulations, andterminate such disputes as were usually reserved for the decision of the GrandMaster.Thesevisitors-generalsometimesremovedknightsfromtheirpreceptories,andevensuspendedthemastersthemselves,anditwastheirdutytoexpeditetotheEast all such knights as were young and vigorous, and capable of fighting. TworegularvoyageswereundertakenfromEuropetoPalestineinthecourseoftheyear,under the conduct of theTemplars andHospitallers, called thepassagiumMartis,andthepassagiumSanctiJohannis,whichtookplacerespectivelyinthespringandsummer,when thenewly-admittedknights left thepreceptoriesof theWest, takingwith them hired foot soldiers, armed pilgrims, and large sums of money, theproduceoftheEuropeanpossessionsofthefraternity,bywhichmeansacontinualsuccour was afforded to the Christian kingdom of Jerusalem. One of the grandpriorsorgrandpreceptorsgenerally took thecommandof theseexpeditions, andwas frequently accompanied by many valiant secular knights, who cravedpermissiontojoinhisstandard,andpaidlargesumsofmoneyforapassagetothefar East. In the interval between these different voyages, the young knights werediligently employed at the different preceptories in the religious and militaryexercisesnecessarytofitthemfortheirhighvocation.

*Concil.Mag.Brit.tom.ii.p.335,339,340.Monast.Angl.p.818.†Concil.Mag.Brit.Tom.ii.p.355,356.‡Incujusreitestimoniumhuicpræsentiscriptoindentatosigilluncapitulinostrilapposuimus.§MS.ApudBelvoir.Peck’sMS.InMuseoBritannico,vol.iv.p.65.**Nicholl’sHist.Leicestershire,vol.iii.pl.cxxvii.fig.947,p.943.;vol.ii.pl.v.fig.13.††Twoofthesevisitors-generalhavebeenburiedintheTempleChurch.

On any sudden emergency, or when the ranks of the Order had been greatlythinnedbythecasualtiesofwar,theGrandMastersentcircularletterstothegrandpreceptorsormastersofthewesternprovinces,requiringinstantaidandassistance,on thereceiptofwhichcollectionsweremade in thechurches,andall theknightsthatcouldbesparedforthwithembarkedfortheHolyLand.

TheMaster of the Temple in England sat in parliament as first baron of therealm,(primusbaroAngliæ),butthatistobeunderstoodamongpriorsonly.Totbeparliament holden in the twenty-ninth year of King Henry the Third, there weresummonedsixty-fiveabbots,thirty-fivepriors,andtheMasteroftheTemple.*Theoathtakenbythegrandpriors,grandpreceptors,orprovincialMastersinEurope,ontheirassumptionofthedutiesoftheirhighadministrativeoffice,wasdrawnupinthefollowingterms:—

“I,A.B.,Knightof theOrderof theTemple, justnowappointedMasterof theknightswhoarein————promisetoJesusChristmySaviour,andtohisvicarthe sovereignpontiff andhis successors,perpetualobedienceand fidelity. I swearthat I will defend, not only with my lips, but by force of arms and with all mystrength,themysteriesofthefaith;thesevensacraments,thefourteenarticlesofthefaith, thecreedof theApostles,and thatofSaintAthanasius; thebooksof theOldand theNewTestament,with thecommentariesof theholy fathers,as receivedbythe church; theunityofGod, thepluralityof thepersonsof theholyTrinity; thatMary, thedaughterofJoachimandAnna,of the tribeofJudah,andof theraceofDavid,remainedalwaysavirginbeforeherdelivery,duringandafterherdelivery.IpromiselikewisetobesubmissiveandobedienttotheMaster-generaloftheOrder,inconformitywiththestatutesprescribedbyourfatherSaintBernard;thatIwillatall times in case of need pass the seas to go and fight; that I will always affordsuccouragainsttheinfidelkingsandprinces;thatinthepresenceofthreeenemiesIwillflynot,butcopewiththem,iftheyareinfidels;thatIwillnotsellthepropertyof theOrder, nor consent that it be sold or alienated; that Iwill always preservechastity;thatIwillbefaithfultothekingof————;thatIwillneversurrendertotheenemythetownsandplacesbelongingtotheOrder;andthatIwillneverrefusetothereligiousanysuccourthatIamabletoaffordthem;thatIwillaidanddefendthembywords,byarms,andbyallsortsofgoodoffices;andinsincerityandofmyownfreewillIswearthatIwillobserveallthesethings.”*

*Rot.claus.49.H.III.m.xi.d.ActaRymeri,tom.iii.p.802.

Among the earliest of theMasters, or Grand Priors, or Grand Preceptors ofEngland,whosenamesfigureinhistory,isRicharddeHastings,whowasattheheadof the Order in this country on the accession of King Henry the Second to thethrone,† (A.D. 1154), and was employed by that monarch in various importantnegotiations.Intheyear1160hegreatlyoffendedthekingofFrance.ThePrincess

Margaret,thedaughterofthatmonarch,hadbeenbetrothedtoPrinceHenry,sonofHenrytheSecond,kingofEngland;andinthetreatyofpeaceenteredintobetweenthe two sovereigns, itwas stipulated thatGizors and twoother places, part of thedowryof theprincess, shouldbe consigned to the custodyof theTemplars, tobedeliveredintoKingHenry’shandsafterthecelebrationofthenuptials.ThekingofEngland(A.D.1160)causedtheprinceandprincess,bothofwhomwereinfants,tobemarriedinthepresenceofRicharddeHastings,theGrandPriororMasteroftheTemple in England, and two otherKnights Templars,who, immediately after theconclusionoftheceremony,placedthefortressesinKingHenry’shands.*Thekingof France was highly indignant at this proceeding, and some writers accuse theTemplarsoftreachery,butfromthecopyofthetreatypublishedbyLordLittleton†itdoesnotappearthattheyactedwithbadfaith.

*L’histoiredesCisteaux,Chrisost.Henrique,p.479.† Ricardus de Hastinges,Magister omniummilitum et fratrum Templi qui sunt in AngliA, salutem. Notum

vobis facimusquodomniscontroversiaquæfuit internosetmonachosdeKirkested .… . terminataet finitaestassensu et consilio nostro et militum et fratrum,&c., anno ab incarnationeDomini 1155, 11 die kal. Feb. Thearchbishop of Canterbury, the papal legate, the bishop of Lincoln, and several abbots, are witnesses to thisinstrument.—LansdownMS. 207E, fol. 467, p. 162, 163; see also p. 319,where he ismentioned asMaster,A.D.1161.

The above Richard de Hastings was the friend and confidant of Thomas áBecket. During the disputes between that haughty prelate and the king, thearchbishop,wearetold,withdrewfromthecouncilchamber,whereallhisbrethrenwere assembled, and went to consult with Richard de Hastings, the Prior of theTempleatLondon,whothrewhimselfonhiskneesbeforehim,andwithmanytearsbesoughthimtogiveinhisadherencetothefamouscouncilsofClarendon.‡

RicharddeHastingswassucceededbyRichardMallebeench,whoconfirmedatreatyofpeaceandconcordwhichhadbeenentered intobetweenhispredecessorandtheabbotofKirkested§andthenextMasteroftheTempleappearstohavebeenGeoffrey sonofStephen,who received thePatriarchHeraclius ashisguest at thenewTemple on the occasionof the consecrationof theTemple church,He styleshimself“MinisterofthesoldieryoftheTempleinEngland.”**

InconsequenceofthehighestimationinwhichtheTemplarswereheld,andtheprivilegeofsanctuaryenjoyedbythem,theTempleatLondoncametobemade“astorehouseoftreasure.”Thewealthoftheking,thenobles,thebishops,andoftherichburghersofLondon,wasgenerallydepositedtherein,underthesafeguardandprotectionofthemilitaryfriars.††ThemoneycollectedinthechurchesandchapelsforthesuccouroftheHolyLandwasalsopaidintothetreasuryoftheTemple,tobeforwarded to itsdestination: and the treasurerwasatdifferent timesauthorised toreceive the taxes imposed upon themoveables of the ecclesiastics, also the largesumsofmoney extortedby the rapacious popes from theEnglish clergy, and theannuitiesgrantedbythekingtothenoblesofthekingdom.*Themoneyandjewels

ofHubertdeBurgh,earlofKent,thechiefjusticiary,andatonetimegovernorofthe king and kingdom of England, were deposited in the Temple, and when thatnoblemanwasdisgracedandcommittedtotheTower,thekingattemptedtolayholdofthetreasure.

* Et Paulo post rexAngliæ fecutHenricum filium suum desponsareMargaritam filiam regis Franciæ, cumadhuc essent pueruli in cunis vagientes; videntibus et consentientibus Roberto de Pirou et Toster de SanctoHomeroetRicardodeHastinges,Templariis,quicustodiebantpræfatacastella,etstatimtradideruntillacastellaregiAngilæ,unde rexFranciæpluimumiratus fugavit illos tresTemplariosde regnoFranciæ,quos rexAngliæbenignesuscipiens,multisditavithonoribus.––Rog.Hoveden,script.PostVedam,p.492.GuilielmiNeubrigiensishist.lib.ii.cap.4,apudHearne.

† LifeofHenryII.tom.iv.p.203.‡Ib.tom.ii.p.356.Hist.quad.P.38.Hoveden,453.Chron.Gervasii,p.1386,apudXscript.§RicardusMallebeench,magisteromniumpauperummilitumetfratrumTempliSalomonisinAngliâ,&c.…

Confirmavimus pacem et concordiam quam Ricardus de Hastings fecit cum Waltero abbate de Kirkested.––LansdownMS.207E.,fol.467.

**Gaufridus,filiusStephant,militiæTempliinAngliâMinister,assensutotiuscapitulinostrildedi,&c.,totumilludtenementuminvillâdeScamtrunquodEmmauxorWalteriCameraiitenetdedomonostrâ,&c.Ib.fol.201.

††Post.

MatthewParisgivesthefollowingcuriousaccountoftheaffair:“Itwas suggested,” says he, “to the king, thatHubert had no small amount of

treasuredepositedintheNewTemple,underthecustodyoftheTemplars.Theking,accordingly, summoning to his presence the Master of the Temple, brieflydemandedofhim if itwasso.He indeed,notdaring todeny the truth to theking,confessed that he had money of the said Hubert, which had been confidentiallycommittedtothekeepingofhimselfandhisbrethren,butofthequantityandamountthereofhewasaltogetherignorant.Thenthekingendeavouredwiththreatstoobtainfromthebrethrenthesurrendertohimoftheaforesaidmoney,assertingthatithadbeen fraudulently subtracted from his treasury. But they answered to the king,thatmoney confided to them in trust they would deliver to no man without thepermissionofhimwhohadintrustedittohekeptintheTemple.Andtheking,sincetheabove-mentionedmoneyhadbeenplacedundertheirprotection,venturednottotakeitbyforce.Hesent,therefore,thetreasurerofhiscourt,withhisjusticesoftheExchequer, to Hubert, who had already been placed in fetters in the Tower ofLondon,thattheymightexactfromhimanassignmentoftheentiresumtotheking.ButwhenthesemessengershadexplainedtoHuberttheobjectoftheircoming,heimmediatelyansweredthathewouldsubmithimselfandallbelongingtohimtothegoodpleasureofhissovereign.HethereforepetitionedthebrethrenofthechivalryoftheTemplethattheywould,inhisbehalf,presentallhiskeystohislordtheking,thathemightdowhathepleasedwiththethingsdepositedintheTemple.Thisbeingdone, the king ordered all that money, faithfully counted, to be placed in histreasury, and the amount of all the things found to be reduced into writing andexhibitedbeforehim.Theking’sclerks,indeed,andthetreasureractingwiththem,found deposited in the Temple gold and silver vases of inestimable price, and

moneyandmanypreciousgems, anenumerationwhereofwould in truthastonishthehearers.Ӡ

The kings of England frequently resided in the Temple, and so also did thehaughtylegatesoftheRomanpontiffs,whotheremadecontributionsinthenameofthepopeupon theEnglishbishoprics.MatthewParisgivesa livelyaccountof theexactionsofthenuncioMartin,whoresidedformanyyearsattheTemple,andcametherearmedbythepopewithpowerssuchasnolegatehadeverbeforepossessed.“He made,” says he, “whilst residing at London in the New Temple, unheard ofextortions of money and valuables. He imperiously intimated to the abbots andpriorsthattheymustsendhimrichpresents,desirablepalfreys,sumptuousservicesforthetable,andrichclothing;whichbeingdone,thatsameMartinsentbackwordthat the things sent were insufficient, and he commanded the givers thereof toforwardhimbetterthings,onpainofsuspensionandexcommunication.*

*Themoneyisorderedtobepaid“dilectofilionostroThesaurariodomusmilitiæTempliLondonien.”ActaRymeri,tom.i.p.442,4,5.WilkinsConcilia,tom.ii.p.230.

†Matt.Par.p.381.

The convocations of the clergy and the great ecclesiastical councils werefrequentlyheldattheTemple,andlawsweretheremadebythebishopsandabbotsforthegovernmentofthechurchandmonasteriesinEngland.†

*Matt.Par.p.253,645.† Wilkins,ConciliaMagnæBritaniæ,tom.ii.p.19,26,93,239,253,272,292.

CHAPTERVI.The Patriarch Heraclius quarrels with the king of England—He returns to Palestine without succour—The

disappointmentsandgloomyforebodingsoftheTemplars—TheypreparetoresistSaladin—Theirdefeatandslaughter—Thevaliantdeedsof theMarshalof theTemple—ThefatalbattleofTiberias—ThecaptivityoftheGrandMasterand the trueCross—ThecaptiveTemplarsareoffered theKoranordeath—Theychoosethe latter,andarebeheaded—The fallof Jerusalem—TheMoslems takepossessionof theTemple—Theypurifyitwithrose-water,sayprayers,andhearasermon—TheTemplarsretiretoAntioch—TheirletterstothekingofEnglandandtheMasteroftheTempleatLondon—TheirexploitsatthesiegeofAcre.

“Gloriosa civitas Dei Jerusalem, ubi dominus passus, ubi sepultus, ubi gloriam resurrectionis ostendit, hostispuriosubjiciturpolluenda,necestdolorsicutdoloriste,cumsepulchrumpossideantquisepulchrumpersequuntur,crucem teneant qui crucifixum contemnunt.”—The Lamentation of Geoffrey de Vinisauf over the Fall ofJerusalem.

“Theearthquakesandtremblesbecausethekingofheavenhathlosthisland,thelandonwhichhisfeetoncestood.The foesof theLordbreak intohisholy city, even into thatglorious tombwhere thevirginblossomofMarywaswrapt up in linen and spices, andwhere the first and greatest flower on earth rose up again.”—St.Bernard,epist.cccxxii.

GERARDDERIDERFORT.A.D.1185.

THEGrandMaster,ArnolddeTorroge,whodiedonhisjourneytoEngland,asbeforementioned,wassucceededbyBrotherGerarddeRiderfort.*

On the tenth of the calends of April, a month after the consecration by thepatriarchHeraclius of theTemple church, the grand council or parliament of thekingdom,composedofthebishops,earls,andbarons,assembledinthehouseoftheHospitallersatClerkenwellinLondon.ItwasattendedbyWilliamkingofScotlandandDavidhisbrother,andmanyofthecountsandbaronsofthatdistantland.†Theaugustassemblywasacquainted, in theking’sname,with theobjectof thesolemnembassyjustsenttohimfromJerusalem,andwiththedesireoftheroyalpenitenttofulfil his vow and perform his penance; but the barons were at the same timeremindedoftheoldageoftheirsovereign,ofthebadstateofhishealth,andofthenecessityofhispresenceinEngland.TheyaccordinglyrepresentedtoKingHenrythatthesolemnoathtakenbyhimonhiscoronationwasanobligationantecedenttothepenanceimposedonhimbythepope;thatbythatoathhewasboundtostayathomeandgovernhisdominions,andthat,intheiropinion,itwasmorewholesomefortheking’ssoultodefendhisowncountryagainstthebarbarousFrench,thantodesert it for the purpose of protecting the distant kingdom of Jerusalem. They,however,offeredtoraisethesumoffiftythousandmarksforthelevyingoftroopstobesentintoAsia,andrecommendedthatallsuchprelatesandnoblesasdesiredtotake the cross should be permitted freely to leave the kingdom on so pious anenterprise.*

*BernardThesaur.cap.157,apudMuratoriscript.Rer.Ital.p.792.CottonMS.,NeroE.vi.p.60,fol.466.†RadulphdeDiceto,utBup.p.626.Matt.Par.adann.118.

GERARDDERIDERFORT.A.D.1185.

Fabiangivesthefollowingquaintaccountoftheking’sanswertothepatriarch,fromtheChron.JoanBromton:“Lasteley, thekyngegaueanswere,andsayde thathemyghte not leue hys landewythoute kepynge, nor yet leue yt to the praye androbberyofFrenchemen.Buthewoldegyue largelyofhysownetosuchaswoldetakeupontheymthatvyaffe.Wyththysanswerethepatryarkewasdyscontente,andsayde,‘Wesekeaman,andnotmoney;welnereeuerycrystenregyonsendythuntous money, but no lande sendyth to us a prince. Therefore we aske a prynce thatnedethmoney, andnotmoney thatnedeth aprynce.’But thekynge layde forhymsucheexcuses,thatthepatryarkedepartedfromhymdyscontentydandcomforteless,whereof the kynge beynge aduertysed, entendynge somwhat to recomforte hymwyth pleasauntewordes, folowed hym unto the see syde.But themore the kyngethought to satysfye liyni wyth hys fay re speche, the more the patryarke wasdiscontented,insomyelinthatatthelastehesaydeuntohym,‘Hythertothouhastereygnedgloryously,buthereafterthoushaltbeforsakenofhimwhomthouatthystyme forsakeste.Thynkeon hymwhat he hath gyuen to thee, andwhat thouhasteyeldentohimagayne:howefyrstethouwerefalseuntothekyngeofFraunce,andafterslewethatholymanThomasofCaunterburye,andlastelythouforsakestetheproteccyonofCrystesfaith.’Thekyngewasamouedwyththesewordes,andsaydeunto the patryarke, ‘Though all themen ofmy landewere one bodye, and spakewithonemouth,theydurstenotspeketomesuchwordys.’‘Nowonder,’saydethepatriarke, ‘for they loue thyneandnot the; thatys tomeane, they loue thygoodestemporall, and fere the for losseofpromocyon,but they louenot thysoule.’Andwhenhehadde so sayde, heofferydhyshedde to thekynge, sayenge, ‘DobymeryghteasthoudyddestbythatblessedmanThomasofCaunterburye,forIhadleurtobeslayneofthe,thenoftheSarasyns,forthouartworsethananySarasyn.’Butthekyngekeptehyspacyence,andsayde, ‘Imaynotwendeouteofmy lande, formyneownsonneswyllaryseagaynemewhanIwereabsente.’‘Nowonder,’saydethepatryarke,‘forofthedeuylltheycome,andtothedeuylltheyshallgo,’andsodepartydfromthekyngeingreatire.”*

*Hovedenannal.apudrer.Angl.script,postBedam,p.636,637.

According to Roger de Hoveden, however, the patriarch, on the 17th of thecalendsofMay,accompaniedKingHenryintoNormandy,whereaconferencewasheld between the sovereigns of France and England concerning the proposedsuccour to the Holy Land. Both monarchs were liberal in promises and fairspeeches;butasnothingshortofthepresenceofthekingofEngland,orofoneofhissons,inPalestine,wouldsatisfythepatriarch,thathaughtyecclesiasticfailedinhisnegotiations,andreturnedindisgustanddisappointmenttotheHolyLand.†Onhis arrival at Jerusalem with intelligence of his ill success, the greatest

consternationprevailedamongsttheLatinChristians;anditwasgenerallyobservedthat the true cross, which had been recovered from the Persians by the EmperorHeraclius,wasabouttobelostunderthepontificate,andbythefaultofapatriarchofthesamename.

A resident inPalestinehasgivenus somecuriousbiographicalnoticesof thisworthy consecrator of ourTemple church atLondon.He says that hewas a veryhandsome parson, and, in consequence of his beauty, the mother of the king ofJerusalemfellinlovewithhim,andmadehimarchbishopofCæsarea,(biauclercestoit, etpar sabeauté l’ama lamerede roi, et le fistarcevesquedeCesaire). Hethendescribeshowhecametobemadepatriarch,andhowhewassuspectedtohavepoisonedthearchbishopofTyre.AfterhisreturnfromRomehefellinlovewiththewifeofahaberdasherwholivedatNaplous,twelvemilesfromJerusalem.Hewentto see her very often, and, not long after the acquaintanceship commenced, thehusbanddied.ThenthepatriarchbroughttheladytoJerusalem,andboughtforheraveryfinestonehouse.“Lepatriarche lafistvenirenJerusalem,et liachetabonnemaisondepierre.Silatenoitvoiantlesiecleausicomlihonsfaitsafame,forstantqueelen’estoitmieavec lui.Quantelealoitaumostier,eleestoitausiatornéederichesdras,comcefustunemperris,etsiserjantdevantlui.Quantaucunesgenslaveoientquinelaconnoissoientpas,ildemandoientquiceledameestoit.Cilquilaconnoissoient,disoientquecestoit lafamedupatriarche.EleavoitnomPasquedeRiveri. Enfans avoit du patriarche, et les barons estoient, que là où il seconseilloient,vintun foloupatriarche, si lidist; ‘SirePatriarche,donesmoibondon, car je vous aport bones novellesPasque de Riveri, vostre fame, a une belefile!’”* “When Jesus Christ,” says the learned author, “saw the iniquity andwickednesswhichtheycommittedintheveryplacewherehewascrucified,hecouldnolongersufferit.”

*TheabovepassageisalmostliterallytranslatedfromAbbotBromton’sChronicle.ThePatriarchtheresaystotheking,“Hactenusglorioseregnasti,sedamodoipsetedeseretquerntudeseruisti.Recolequædominustibicontulit, et qualia illi reddidisti; quomodo regi Franciæ infidus fuisti, beatum Thomam occidisti, et nuncprotectionemChristianorumabjecisti.Cumqueadhocrexexcandesceret,obtulitpatriarchacaputsuumetcollumextensum,dicens,‘FacdemequoddeThomáfecisti.AdeolibentervoloateoccidiinAnglia,sicutaSaracenisin Syria, quia tu omni Saraceno pejor es.’ Cui rex, ‘Si omnes homines mei unura corpus essent, unoque oreloquerentur,taliamihidicerenonauderent.’Cuiille,‘Nonestmirum,quiatuetnontediligunt,prasdametiametnonhominemsequiturturbaista.’Recederenonpossum,quiafiliimeiinsurgerentinmeabsentem.’Cuiille,‘Necmirum, quia de diabolo venerunt, et ad diabolum ibunt.’ Et sic demum patriarcha navem ascendens inGalliamreversusest.”—Chron.Joan.Bromton,abbatisJornalensis,script.X.p.1144,adann.1185.

† Sed hæc omnia præfatus Patriarcha parum pendebat, sperabat enim quod esset reducturus secum addefensionemIerosolymitanæterræpræfatumregemAngliae,velaliquemdefiliissuis,velaliquemvirummagnaauctoritatis; sed quia hoc esse nonpotuit, repatriaturus dolens et confusus a curia recessit.—Hoveden ut sup. p.630.

GERARDDERIDERFORTA.D.1185

TheOrder of theTemplewas at this period all-powerful inPalestine, and the

GrandMaster,Gerard deRiderfort, coercedwith the heavy hand of authority thenobles of the kingdom, and even the king himself. Shortly after the return ofHeraclius to Palestine, King Baldwin IV. died, and was succeeded by his infantnephew,BaldwinV.,whowascrowned in thechurchof theResurrection,andwasafterwards royally entertained by the Templars in the Temple of Solomon,according toancientcustom.†TheyoungkingdiedatAcreaftera short reignofonlysevenmonths,andtheTemplarsbroughtthebodytoJerusalem,andburieditinthe tombs of the Christian kings. The Grand Master of the Temple then raisedSibylla, the mother of the deceased monarch, and her second husband, Guy ofLusignan,tothethrone.GerarddeRiderfortsurroundedthepalacewithtroops;heclosed the gates of Jerusalem, and delivered the regalia to the Patriarch.He thenconducted Sibylla and her husband to the church of theResurrection,where theywerebothcrownedbyHeraclius, andwereafterwardsentertainedatdinner in theTemple. Guy de Lusignan was a prince of handsome person, but of such baserenown,thathisownbrotherGeoffreywasheardtoexclaim,“Sincetheyhavemadehim a king, surely they would have mademe a God!” These proceedings led toendlessdiscordanddissension;Raymond,CountofTripoli,withdrewfromcourt;many of the barons refused to do homage, and the statewas torn by faction anddissensionatatimewhenalltheenergiesofthepopulationwererequiredtodefendthecountryfromtheMoslems.*

*Contin.Hist. Bell. Sacr. apudMartene , tom. v. col. 606. It appears fromMansi that this valuable oldchronicle,formerlyattributedtoHughPlagon,istheoriginalFrcucliworkofBernardtheTreasurer.

† QuandleroiavoitoffertsacoroneauTempleDominus,siavaloitunsdegresquisontdehorsleTemple,etentroitensonpalesauTempledeSalomon,ouliTempliersmanoient.Laetoientlestablespormengier,oulerois’asseoit,etsibaronettuitcilquimengiervoloient.—Contin.bell.sacr.apudMartene,tom.v.col.586.

GERARDDERIDERFORT.A.D.1186.

Saladin,on theotherhand,hadbeencarefullyconsolidatingandstrengtheninghispower, andwasvigorouslypreparing for the reconquestof theHolyCity, thelong-cherished enterprise of theMussulraen. TheArabianwriters enthusiasticallyrecount his pious exhortations to the true believers, and describe with vastenthusiasm his glorious preparations for the holy war. Bohadin F. Sjeddadi, hisfriendandsecretary,andgreatbiographer,beforeventuringuponthesublimetaskofdescribinghis famousandsacredactions,makesa solemnconfessionof faith,andoffersuppraisestotheonetrueGod.

“PraisebetoGod,”sayshe,“whohathblesseduswithIslam,andhathledustotheunderstandingofthetruefaithbeautifullyputtogether,andhathbefriendedus;and,throughtheintercessionofourprophet,hathloadeduswitheveryblessing…Ibearwitness that there is noGod but that one greatGodwho hath no partner, (atestimonythatwilldeliveroursoulsfromthesmokyfireofhell),thatMohammedishis servant and apostle,whohathopeneduntous thegatesof the right road to

salvation…”“These solemn duties being performed, I will begin to write concerning the

victoriousdefenderofthefaith,thetamerofthefollowersofthecross,thelifterupof the standard of justice and equity, the saviour of the world and of religion,SaladinAbool-modaffer Joseph, the son of Job, the son of Schadi, Sultan of theMoslems, ay, and of Islam itself; the deliverer of the holy house of God (theTemple)fromthehandsoftheidolaters,theservantoftwoholycities,whosetombmaytheLordmoistenwiththedewofhisfavour,affordingtohimthesweetnessofthefruitsofthefaith.Ӡ

GERARDDERIDERFORT.A.D.1187.

Onthe10thofMay,A.D.1187,Malek-el-Afdal,“Mostexcellentprince,”oneofSaladin’s sons, crossed the Jordan at theheadof seven thousandMussulmen.TheGrand Master of the Temple immediately despatched messengers to the nearestconventsandcastlesoftheOrder,commandingallsuchknightsascouldbesparedtomountandcometohimwithspeed.Atmidnight,ninetyknightsofthegarrisonofLa Feue or Faba, forty knights from the garrison ofNazareth,withmany othersfrom the convent of Caco, were assembled around their chief, and began theirmarchat theheadof theservingbrothersandthelightcavalryof theOrder.TheyjoinedthemselvestotheHospitallers,rashlyengagedtheseventhousandMoslems,andwerecuttopiecesinabloodybattlefoughtnearthebrookKishon.TheGrandMaster of the Temple and two knights broke through the dense ranks of theMoslems, and made their escape. Roger de Molines, the Grand Master of theHospital, was left dead upon the field, togetherwith all the other brothers of theHospitalandoftheTemple.

*Contin.Hist.utsup.,col.593,4.Bernard.ThesaurapudMuratori script, rer. Ital., tom.vii. cap.147,col.782,cap.148,col.173.AssizesdeJerusalem,cap.287,288.GuillNeubr.cap.16.

†VitaetresgestæSaladinibyBohadinF.Sjeddadi,apudSchultens,ex.MS.Arab.Pref.

JacquelinedeMailly,theMarshaloftheTemple,performedprodigiesofvalour.Hewasmountedonawhitehorse,andclothedinthewhitehabitofhisorder,withtheblood-redcross, thesymbolofmartyrdom,onhisbreast;hebecame, throughhisgallantbearinganddemeanour,anobjectofrespectandofadmirationeventotheMoslems.Hefought,saythewritersofthecrusades,likeawildboar,sendingonthatdayanamazingnumberofinfidelstohell!TheMussulmenseveredtheheadsofthe slaughteredTemplars from their bodies, and attaching themwith cords to thepointsoftheir lances, theyplacedtheminfrontoftheirarray,andmarchedoffinthedirectionofTiberias.*

Thefollowinginterestingaccountisgivenofthemarchofanotherbandofholywarriors,who, in obedience to the summonsof theGrandMaster of theTemple,werehasteningtorallyaroundthesacredensignsoftheirfaith.

GERARDDERIDERFORT.A.D.1187.

“When they had travelled twomiles, they came to the city of Saphet. Itwas alovelymorning,andtheydeterminedtomarchnofurtheruntiltheyhadheardmass.They accordingly turned towards the house of the bishop andwoke him up, andinformed him that the daywas breaking. The bishop accordingly ordered an oldchaplain to put on his clothes and saymass, after which they hastened forwards.ThentheycametothecastleofLaFeue,(afortressoftheTemplars),andtheretheyfound,outsidethecastle,thetentsoftheconventofCacopitched,andtherewasnoonetoexplainwhatitmeant.Avarletwassentintothecastletoinquire,buthefoundnoonewithinbut two sickpeoplewhowereunable to speak.Then theymarchedtowardsNazareth,andaftertheyhadproceededashortdistancefromthecastleofLaFeue,theymetabrotheroftheTempleonhorseback,whogallopeduptothematafuriousrate,callingout,Badnews,badnews;andheinformedthemhowthattheMasteroftheHospitalhadhadhisheadcutoff,andhowofallthebrothersoftheTemple therehadescapedbut three, theMasterof theTempleand twoothers,andthat theknightswhom thekinghadplaced ingarrisonatNazareth,wereall takenandkilled.”†

In the great battle of Tiberias or of Hittin, fought on the 4th of July, whichdecidedthefateoftheHolyCityofJerusalem,theTemplarswereinthevanoftheChristianarmy,andledtheattackagainsttheinfidels.ThemarchofSaladin’shost,which amounted to eighty thousand horse and foot, over the hilly country, iscomparedbyanArabianwriter,aneye-witness,tomountainsinmovement,ortothevast waves of an agitated sea. The same author speaks of the advance of theTemplarsagainstthematearlydawninbattlearray,“horribleinarms,havingtheirwhole bodies cased with triple mail.” He compares the noise made by theiradvancingsquadronstothe“loudhummingofbees!”anddescribesthemasanimatedwith“aflamingdesireofvengeance.”*SaladinhadbehindhimthelakeofTiberias,his infantrywas in thecentre,and theswiftcavalryof thedesertwasstationedoneither wing, under the command of Faki-ed-deen (teacher of religion). TheTemplars rushed, we are told, like lions upon the Moslem infidels, and nothingcouldwithstandtheirheavyandimpetuouscharge.“Never,”saysanArabiandoctorofthelaw,“haveIseenabolderormorepowerfularmy,noronemoretobefearedbythebelieversinthetruefaith.”

* Chron. terra Sancta apudMartene , tom. v. col. 551. Hist. Hierosol. Gest. Dei, tom. i. pt. ii. p. 1150, 1.GeoffreydeVinisauf.

† Contin.hist.bell.sacr.utsup.,col.599.

Saladin set fire to the dry grass and dwarf shrubs which lay between botharmies, and thewindblew the smokeand the flamesdirectly into the facesof themilitaryfriarsandtheirhorses.Thefire, thenoise,thegleamingweapons,andall

the accompaniments of the horrid scene, have given full scope to the descriptivepowersoftheorientalwriters.Theycompareittothelastjudgment;thedustandthesmokeobscuredthefaceof thesun,andthedaywasturnedintonight.Sometimesgleamsoflightdartedliketherapidlightningamidthethrongofcombatants;thenyoumightseethedensecolumnsofarmedwarriors,nowimmovableasmountains,andnowsweepingswiftlyacrossthelandscapeliketherainycloudsoverthefaceofheaven.“Thesonsofparadiseandthechildrenoffire,”saythey,“thendecidedtheirterrible quarrel; the arrows rustled through the air like thewingsof innumerablesparrows, thesparks flewfrom thecoatsofmailand theglancingsabres,and thebloodspurtingforthfromthebosomofthethrongdelugedtheearthliketherainsofheaven.…Theavengingswordofthetruebelieverswasdrawnforthagainsttheinfidels;thefaithoftheUNITYwasopposedtothefaithoftheTRINITY,andspeedyruin,desolation,anddestruction,overtookthemiserablesonsofbaptism!”

GERARDDERIDERFORT.A.D.1187.

ThecowardlypatriarchHeraclius,whoseduty itwas tobear theholycross infrontoftheChristianarray,confidedhissacredchargetothebishopsofPtolemaisand Lydda†—a circumstance which gave rise to many gloomy forebodingsamongstthesuperstitioussoldiersofChrist.Inconsequenceofthetreachery,asitisalleged,ofthecountofTripoli,whofledfromthefieldwithhisretainers,boththeTemplars and Hospitallers were surrounded, and were to a man killed or takenprisoners. The bishop of Ptolemais was slain, the bishop of Lydda was madecaptive, and the holy cross, together with the king of Jerusalem, and the GrandMaster of the Temple, fell into the hands of the Saracens. “Quid plura?” saysRadulph, abbot of the monastery of Coggleshale in Essex, who was then on apilgrimagetotheHolyLand,andwaswoundedinthenosebyanarrow.“Captaestcrux,etrex,etMagistermilitiaeTempli,etepiscopusLiddensis,etfraterRegis,etTemplarii, et Hospitalarii, etmarchio deMontferrat, atque omnes velmortui velcapti sunt. Plangite super hoc omnes adoratores crucis, et plorate; sublatum estlignum nostra salutis, dignum abindignis indigne heu! heu! asportatum. Væmihimisero,quodindiebusmiserseviteemeaetaliacogorvidere…Odulcelignum,etsuave,sanguinefiliiDeiroratumatquelavatum!Ocruxalma,inquasalusnostrapependit!&c.*

*MuhammedF.Muhammed,N.Koreisg.Ispahan,apudSchultens,p.18.†RadulphCoggleshale,aneye-witness,apudMartene,tom.v.col.553.

“I saw,” says the secretary andcompanionofSaladin,whowaspresent at thisterrible fight, and is unable to restrain himself from pitying the disasters of thevanquished—”Isawthemountainsandtheplains,thehillsandthevalleys,coveredwith their dead. I saw their fallen and deserted banners sulliedwith dust andwithblood. Isawtheirheadsbrokenandbattered, their limbsscatteredabroad,and the

blackenedcorpsespiledoneuponanotherlikethestonesofthebuilders.IcalledtomindthewordsoftheKoran,‘Theinfidelshallsay,WhatamIbutdust?’…Isawthirty or forty tied together by one cord. I saw in one place, guarded by oneMussulman, two hundred of these famouswarriors giftedwith amazing strength,who had but just nowwalked forth amongst themighty; their proud bearingwasgone; they stoodnakedwithdowncast eyes,wretchedandmiserable…The lyinginfidelswerenowinthepowerofthetruebelievers.Theirkingandtheircrosswerecaptured,thatcrossbeforewhichtheybowtheheadandbendtheknee;whichtheybearaloftandworshipwiththeireyes;theysaythatitistheidenticalwoodtowhichthe Godwhom they adore was fastened. They had adorned it with fine gold andbrilliantstones; theycarried itbefore theirarmies; theyallbowed towards itwithrespect.Itwastheirfirstdutytodefendit;andhewhoshoulddesertitwouldneverenjoypeaceofmind.Thecaptureofthiscrosswasmoregrievoustothemthanthecaptivityoftheirking.Nothingcancompensatethemforthelossofit.ItwastheirGod;theyprostratedthemselvesinthedustbeforeit,andsanghymnswhenitwasraisedaloft!”†

GERARDDERIDERFORT.Ag.D.1187.

Among the few Christian warriors who escaped from this terrible encounter,wastheGrandMasteroftheHospital;heclovehiswayfromthefieldofbattle,andreached Ascalon in safety, but died of his wounds the day after his arrival. Themultitudeofcaptiveswasenormous,cordscouldnotbefoundtobindthem,thetent-ropeswereallusedforthepurpose,butwereinsufficient,andtheArabianwriterstell us that, on seeing the dead, one would have thought that there could be noprisoners,andonseeingtheprisoners,thattherecouldbenodead.Assoonasthebattlewasover,Saladinproceededtoatent,whither,inobediencetohiscommands,thekingofJerusalem,theGrandMasteroftheTemple,andReginalddeChatillon,hadbeenconducted.Thislastnoblemanhadgreatlydistinguishedhimselfinvariousdaring expeditions against the caravans of pilgrims travelling toMecca, and hadbecomeonthataccountparticularlyobnoxioustothepiousSaladin.Thesultan,onenteringthetent,orderedabowlofsherbet,thesacredpledgeamongsttheArabsofhospitalityandsecurity,tobepresentedtothefallenmonarchofJerusalem,andtotheGrandMasteroftheTemple;butwhenReginalddeChatillonwouldhavedrunkthereof, Saladin prevented him, and reproaching the Christian nobleman withperfidyandimpiety,hecommandedhiminstantlytoacknowledgetheprophetwhomhehadblasphemed,orbepreparedtomeetthedeathhehadsooftendeserved.OnReginald’s refusal, Saladin struck himwith his scimitar, and hewas immediatelydespatchedbytheguards.*

*Chron.TerræSanctæ,apudMartene,tom.v.col.558and545.Amostvaluablehistory.†OmadeddinKateb-Abou-hamed-Mohamed-Benhamed oneofSaladin’s secretaries.ExtraitsArabes, par

M.Michaud.

GERARDDERIDERFORT.A.D.1187.

Bohadin,Saladin’s friendand secretary, aneye-witnessof the scene,gives thefollowingaccountofit:“ThenSaladintoldtheinterpretertosaythustotheking,‘Itisthou,notI,whogivestdrinktothisman!’Thenthesultansatdownattheentranceof the tent,and theybroughtPrinceReginaldbeforehim,andafter refreshing theman’smemory, Saladin said to him, ‘Now then, Imyself will act the part of thedefenderofMohammed!’He thenoffered theman theMohammedan faith,butherefused it; then theking struckhimon the shoulderwith a drawn scimitar,whichwasahinttothosethatwerepresenttodoforhim;sotheysenthissoultohell,andcastouthisbodybeforethetent-door!”†

Two days afterwards Saladin proceeded in cold blood to enact the grandconcluding tragedy. The warlike monks of the Temple and of the Hospital, thebravestandmostzealousdefendersoftheChristianfaith,were,ofallthewarriorsofthecross,themostobnoxioustozealousMussulmen,anditwasdeterminedthatdeath or conversion toMahometanism should be the portion of every captive ofeitherorder,exceptingtheGrandMasteroftheTemple,forwhomitwasexpectedaheavyransomwouldbegiven.Accordingly,ontheChristianSabbath,atthehourofsunset, the appointed time of prayer, theMoslemswere drawn up in battle arrayunder their respective leaders.TheMamlook emirs stood in two ranks clothed inyellow,and,atthesoundoftheholytrumpet,allthecaptiveknightsoftheTempleandoftheHospitalwereledontotheeminenceaboveTiberias,infullviewofthebeautiful lake of Gennesareth, whose bold andmountainous shores had been thesceneofsomanyoftheirSaviour ’smiracles.There,asthelastraysofthesunwerefadingaway from themountain tops, theywerecalledupon todenyhimwhohadbeencrucified,tochooseGodfortheirLord,Islamfortheirfaith,Meccafortheirtemple, theMoslemsfor theirbrethren,andMahomet for theirprophet.Toamanthey refused, and were all decapitated in the presence of Saladin by the devoutzealots of his army, and the doctors and expounders of the law. An orientalhistorian,whowaspresent,saysthatSaladinsatwithasmilingcountenanceviewingtheexecution,andthatsomeoftheexecutionerscutofftheheadswithadegreeofdexterity that excited great applause.* “Oh,” says Omad’eddinMuhammed, “howbeautifulanornamentisthebloodoftheinfidelssprinkledoverthefollowersofthefaithandthetruereligion!”

*Contin.hist.bell. sacr.apudMartene, tom.v.col.608.Bernard.Thesaur. apudMuratori script, rer. Ital.,cap.46.col.791.

†Bohaam,cap.35.Abulfeda.Abulpharag.

GERARDDERIDERFORT.A.D.1187.

IftheMussulmendisplayedabecomingzealinthedecapitationandannihilationoftheinfidelTemplars,theselastmanifestedanolesspraiseworthyeagernessfor

martyrdom by the swords of the unbelieving Moslems. The Knight Templar,BrotherNicolas,strovevigorously,wearetold,withhiscompanionstobethefirsttosuffer,andwithgreatdifficultyaccomplishedhispurpose.†ItwasbelievedbytheChristians, in accordance with the superstitious ideas of those times, that heaventestifieditsapprobationbyavisiblesign,andthatforthreenights,duringwhichthebodiesoftheTemplarsremainedunburiedonthefield,celestialraysoflightplayedaroundthecorpsesofthoseholymartyrs.‡

ThegovernmentoftheOrderoftheTemple,inconsequenceofthecaptivityoftheGrandMaster,devolvedupontheGrandPreceptorofthekingdomofJerusalem,who addressed letters to all the brethren in the West, imploring instant aid andassistance.OneoftheseletterswasdulyreceivedbyBrotherGeoffrey,MasteroftheTempleatLondon,asfollows:

“BrotherTerric,GrandPreceptorof thepoorhouseof theTemple,andeverypoor brother, and the whole convent, now, alas! almost annihilated, to all thepreceptorsandbrothersof theTemple towhomthese lettersmaycome, salvationthrough him to whom our fervent aspirations are addressed, through him whocauseththesunandthemoontoreignmarvellous.”

*OmadeddinKateb, inhisbookcalledFatah, celebrates the above exploits ofSaladin.ExtraitsArabes,Michaud.RadulphCoggleshale,Chron.Terr.Sanct.ApudMartenetom.v.col.553to559.Bohadin,p.70.Jac.deVitr.cap.xciv.Guil.Neubr.apudHearne,tom.i.lib.iii.cap.17,18.Chron.Gervasii,apudX.script,col.1502.Abulfeda,cap.27.Abulpharag.Chron.Syr.p.399,401,402.Khondemir.Ben-Schunah.

† GeoffreydeVinisaufapudGale, script.Antiq.Anglic, p. 15, “O zelus fidei!O fervor animi !” says thatadmiringhistorian,cap.xv.p.251.

‡GeoffreydeVinisaufutsup.cap.v.p.251.GERARDDERIDERFORT.A.D.1187.

“Themany and great calamities wherewith the anger of God, excited by ourmanifoldsins,hathjustnowpermittedustobeafflicted,wecannotforgriefunfoldto you, neither by letters nor by our sobbing speech. The infidel chiefs havingcollected together a vast number of their people, fiercely invaded our Christianterritories, andwe, assembling our battalions, hastened toTiberias to arrest theirmarch.Theenemyhavinghemmedusinamongbarrenrocks,fiercelyattackedus;the holy cross and the king himself fell into the hands of the infidels, thewholearmy was cut to pieces, two hundred and thirty of our knights were beheaded,withoutreckoningthesixtywhowerekilledonthe1stofMay.TheLordReginaldofSidon, theLordBallovius, andweourselves, escapedwithvastdifficulty fromthat miserable field. The Pagans, drunk with the blood of our Christians, thenmarchedwiththeirwholearmyagainstthecityofAcre,andtookitbystorm.ThecityofTyreisatpresentfiercelybesieged,andneitherbynightnorbydaydotheinfidelsdiscontinuetheirfuriousassaults.Sogreatisthemultitudeofthem,thattheycoverlikeantsthewholefaceofthecountryfromTyretoJerusalem,andevenunto

Gaza.TheHolyCityofJerusalem,AscalonandTyre,andBeyrout,arealonelefttous and to theChristian cause, and the garrisons and the chief inhabitants of theseplaces,havingperishedinthebattleofTiberias,wehavenohopeofretainingthemwithoutsuccourfromheavenandinstantassistancefromyourselves.”*

Saladin, on the other hand, sent triumphant letters to the caliph. “God and hisangels,”sayshe,“havemercifullysuccouredIslam.Theinfidelshavebeensenttofeedthefiresofhell!Thecrossisfallenintoourhands,aroundwhichtheyflutteredlike the moth round a light; under whose shadow they assembled, in which theyboldly trusted as in a wall; the cross, the centre and leader of their pride, theirsuperstition,andtheirtyranny.…”†

GERARDDERIDERFORT.A.D.1187.

Aftertheconquestofbetweenthirtyandfortycitiesandcastles,manyofwhichbelongedtotheOrderoftheTemple,Saladinlaidsiegetotheholycity.Onthe20thofSeptembertheMussulmanarmyencampedonthewestofthetown,andextendeditself from the tower of David to the gate of St. Stephen. The Temple could nolonger furnish its brave warriors for the defence of the holy sanctuary of theChristians;twomiserableknights,withafewservingbrethren,aloneremainedinitsnowsilenthallsanddesertedcourts.

* Epistola Terrici Præceptoris Templi de captione terræ Jerosolymitanæ,Hoveden annal. apud rer. Angl.script.postBedam,p.636,637.Chron.Gervas.ib.col.1502.RadulphdeDiceto,apudX.script.col.635.

† Saladin’s letter to the caliph Nassir Deldin-Illah Aboul Abbas Ahmed.––Michaud,ExtraitsArabes.

After a siege of fourteen days, a breach was affected in the walls, and tenbannersoftheprophetwavedintriumphontheramparts.Inthemorningabarefootprocession of the queen, thewomen, and themonks and priests,wasmade to theholysepulchre,toimploretheSonofGodtosavehistombandhisinheritancefromimpiousviolation.Thefemales,asamarkofhumilityanddistress,cutofftheirhairandcastittothewinds;andtheladiesofJerusalemmadetheirdaughtersdopenancebystandinguptotheirnecksintubsofcoldwaterplaceduponMountCalvary.Butitavailednought;“forourLordJesusChrist,”saysaSyrianFrank,“wouldnotlistento any prayer that they made; for the filth, the luxury, and the adultery whichprevailedinthecity,didnotsufferprayerorsupplicationtoascendbeforeGod.”*

GERARDDERIDERFORT.A.D.1187.

Onthesurrenderof thecity(October2,A.D.1187) theMoslemsrushedto theTemple in thousands. “The Imauns and thedoctors and expounders of thewickederrorsofMahomet,”saysAbbotCoggleshale,whowastheninJerusalemsufferingfromawoundwhichhehadreceivedduringthesiege,“firstascendedtotheTempleof theLord, called by the infidelsBeitAllah, (the house ofGod), inwhich, as a

placeofprayerandreligion,theyplacetheirgreathopeofsalvation.WithhorriblebellowingstheyproclaimedthelawofMahomet,andvociferated,withpollutedlips,AllahAcbar—AllahAcbar (God is victorious). They defiled all the places that arecontainedwithintheTemple;i.e.,theplaceofthepresentation,wherethemotherandgloriousvirginMarydeliveredtheSonofGodinto thehandsof the justSimeon;andtheplaceoftheconfession,lookingtowardstheporchofSolomon,wheretheLord judged the woman taken in adultery. They placed guards that no ChristianmightenterwithinthesevenatriaoftheTemple;andasadisgracetotheChristians,withvastclamour,with laughterandmockery, theyhurleddown thegoldencrossfrom the pinnacle of the building, and dragged itwith ropes throughout the city,amid the exulting shouts of the infidels and the tears and lamentations of thefollowersofChrist.”†

When every Christian had been removed from the precincts of the Temple,Saladin proceeded with vast pomp to say his prayers in theBeitAllah, the holyhouse of God, or “Temple of the Lord,” erected by the Caliph Omar.* He waspreceded by five camels laden with rose water, which he had procured fromDamascus,†andheenteredthesacredcourtstothesoundofmartialmusic,andwithhisbanners streaming in thewind.TheBeitAllah, “theTempleof theLord,”wasthen again consecrated to the service of one God and his prophetMahomet; thewalls and pavementswerewashed and purifiedwith rosewater; and a pulpit, thelabourofNoureddin,waserectedinthesanctuary‡ThefollowingaccountofthesetransactionswasforwardedtoHenrytheSecond,kingofEngland:

*LesdamesdeJerusalemfirentprendrecuvesetmettereen laplacedevant lemonteCauviaire,etemplird’euefroide, et firent lors fillesentrer jusqu’aucol, et couper lor treiceset jeter les.—Contin.hist.bell. sacr.apudMartene,tom.v.col.615.

† Chron. Terræ Sanctæ, Radulphi Coggeshale, apud Martene, tom, v.col. 572, 573; flentibus christianis,crinesetvestesrumpentibus,pectoraetcapitatundentibus,saystheworthyabbot.

ERARDDERIDERFORT.A.D.1187.

“To the belovedLordHenry, by the grace ofGod, the illustrious king of theEnglish, duke of Normandy and Guienne, and count of Anjou, Brother Terric,formerly Grand Preceptor of the house of the Temple at Jerusalem, sendethgreeting,—salvationthroughhimwhosavethkings.“KnowthatJerusalem,withthecitadelofDavid,hathbeensurrenderedtoSaladin.TheSyrianChristians,however,havethecustodyoftheHolySepulchreuptothefourthdayafterMichaelmas,andSaladinhimselfhathpermitted tenof thebrethrenof theHospital toremain in thehouseofthehospitalforthespaceofoneyear,totakecareofthesick…Jerusalem,alas,hathfallen;SaladinhathcausedthecrosstobethrowndownfromthesummitoftheTempleoftheLord,andfortwodaystobepubliclykickedanddraggedinthedirtthroughthecity.HethencausedtheTempleoftheLordtobewashedwithinandwithout, upwards anddownwards,with rose-water, and the lawofMahomet to be

proclaimed throughout the four quarters of the Temple with wonderful clamour.…”§

GERARDDERIDERFORT.A.D.1187.

Bohadin,Saladin’ssecretary,mentionsasaremarkableandhappycircumstance,thattheHolyCitywassurrenderedtothesultanofmostpiousmemory,andthatGodrestoredtothefaithfultheirsanctuaryonthetwenty-seventhofthemonthRegeb,onthe night ofwhich very day theirmost glorious prophetMahomet performed hiswonderful nocturnal journey from the Temple, through the seven heavens, to thethrone of God. He also describes the sacred congregation of the Mussulmengathered together in the Temple and the solemn prayer offered up to God; theshoutingandthesoundsofapplause,andthevoiceslifteduptoheaven,causingtheholybuildingstoresoundwiththanksandpraisestothemostbountifulLordGod.Hegloriesinthecastingdownofthegoldencross,andexultsintheverysplendidtriumphofIslam.**

*Seeante,p.6.† SaladinotmandéaDamasporeuëroseassésporleTemplelaver…ilavoitquatrechamiexoucinqtous

chargiés.––Contin.Hist.Bell.Sacr.col.621.‡Bohadin,cap.xxxvi,and theextracts fromAbulfeda, apudSchultens, cpa.Xxvii.P.42,43. Ib’nAlatsyr,

Michaud,ExtraitsArabes.§Hoveden.annal.apudrer.Angl.Script.postBedam,p.645,646.**BohadinapudSchullens,cap.xxxvi.

SaladinrestoredthesacredareaoftheTempletoitsoriginalconditionunderthefirst Mussulman conquerors of Jerusalem. The ancient Christian church of theVirgin (otherwise the mosque Al Acsa, otherwise the Temple of Solomon) waswashedwithrose-water,andwasonceagaindedicated to thereligiousservicesoftheMoslems.OnthewesternsideofthisvenerableedificetheTemplarshaderected,according to the Arabian writers, an immense building in which they lodged,togetherwithgranariesofcornandvariousoffices,whichenclosedandconcealedagreatportionoftheedifice.MostofthesewerepulleddownbythesultantomakeaclearandopenareafortheresortoftheMussulmentoprayer.Somenewerectionsplacedbetweenthecolumnsintheinteriorofthestructureweretakenaway,andthefloorwascoveredwiththerichestcarpets.“Lampsinnumerable,”saysIbnAlatsyr,“weresuspendedfromtheceiling;versesoftheKoranwereagaininscribedonthewalls; the call toprayerwas againheard; thebellswere silenced; the exiled faithreturned to its ancient sanctuary; the devout Mussulmen again bent the knee inadorationoftheoneonlyGod,andthevoiceoftheimaunwasagainheardfromthepulpit,remindingthetruebelieversoftheresurrectionandthelastjudgment.”*

GERARDDERIDERFORT.A.D.1187.

TheFriday after the surrender of the city, the armyofSaladin and crowdsof

truebelievers,whohadflockedtoJerusalemfromallpartsoftheEast,assembledintheTempleoftheLordtoassistinthereligiousservicesoftheMussulmansabbath.Omad,Saladin’ssecretary,whowaspresent,givesthefollowinginterestingaccountof the ceremony, and of the sermon that was preached. “On Friday morning atdaybreak,” says he, “every body was asking whom the sultan had appointed topreach.TheTemplewasfull;thecongregationwasimpatient;alleyeswerefixedonthepulpit;theearswereonthestretch;ourheartsbeatfast,andtearstrickleddownourfaces.Onallsidesweretobeheardrapturousexclamationsof‘Whataglorioussight!Whatacongregation!Happyarethosewhohavelivedtoseetheresurrectionof Islam.’ At length the sultan ordered the judge (doctor of the law)MohieddinAboulmehali-Mohammed to fulfil the sacred functionof imaun. I immediately lenthimtheblackvestmentwhichIhadreceivedasapresent fromthecaliph.He thenmountedintothepulpitandspoke.Allwerehushed.Hisexpressionsweregracefulandeasy;andhisdiscourseeloquentandmuchadmired.HespakeofthevirtueandthesanctityofJerusalem,ofthepurificationoftheTemple;healludedtothesilenceofthebells,andtotheflightoftheinfidelpriests.Inhisprayerhenamedthecaliphandthesultan,andterminatedhisdiscoursewiththatchapteroftheKoraninwhichGodordersjusticeandgoodworks.Hethendescendedfromthepulpit,andprayedin the Mihrah. Immediately afterwards a sermon was preached before thecongregation.”*

*Ibn-Alatsyr,hist.Arab,andtheRaoudhatein,or“thetwogardens.”Michaud,ExtraitsArabes.ExcerptaexAbulfedaapudSchuliens,cap.xxvii.p.43.WilkenComment.Abulfed.hist.p.148.

ThissermonwasdeliveredbyMohammedBenZeky. “Praisebe toGod,” saiththepreacher,“whobythepowerofhismighthathraisedupIslamismontheruinsofPolytheism;whogovernsallthingsaccordingtohiswill;whooverthroweththedevicesoftheinfidels,andcauseththetruthtotriumph.…IpraiseGod,whohathsuccoured his elect; who hath rendered them victorious and crowned them withglory,who hath purified his holy house from the filthiness of idolatry… I bearwitnessthatthereisnoGodbutthatonegreatGodwhostandethaloneandhathnopartner;sole,supreme,eternal;whobegettethnotandisnotbegotten,andhathnoequal. Ibearwitness thatMahomet ishis servant,hisenvoy,andhisprophet,whohathdissipateddoubts,confoundedpolytheism,andputdownlies,&c.…

“Omen,declareyetheblessingsofGod,whohathrestoredtoyouthisholycity,afterithasbeenleftinthepoweroftheinfidelsforahundredyears.…ThisholyhouseoftheLordhathbeenbuilt,anditsfoundationshavebeenestablished,forthegloryofGod.…Thissacredspotisthedwellingplaceoftheprophets,thekebla,(placeofprayer), towardswhichyouturnat thecommencementofyourreligiousduties, thebirthplaceof thesaints, thesceneof therevelation.It is thriceholy,fortheangelsofGodspreadtheirwingsoverit.ThisisthatblessedlandofwhichGod

hathspoken inhis sacredbook. In thishouseofprayer,Mahometprayedwith theangelswhoapproachGod.Itistothisspotthatallfingersareturnedafterthetwoholyplaces.…Thisconquest,Omen,hathopeneduntoyouthegatesofheaven;theangelsrejoice,andtheeyesoftheprophetsglistenwithjoy…”†

GERARDDERIDERFORT.A.D.1187.

Omadinformsusthatthemarblealtarandchapelwhichhadbeenerectedoverthe sacred rock in theTempleof theLord,ormosqueofOmar,was removedbySaladin, together with the stalls for the priests, the marble statues, and all theabominationswhichhadbeenplacedintheveneratedbuildingbytheChristians.TheMussulmendiscoveredwithhorrorthatsomepiecesoftheholystoneorrockhadbeencutoffbytheFranks,andsenttoEurope.Saladincausedittobeimmediatelysurrounded by a grate of iron. He washed it with rose-water and Malek-Afdalcovereditwithmagnificentcarpets.‡

*OmadeddinKateb.––Michaud,ExtraitsArabes.†Khotbeh,orsermonofMohammedBenZeky.—Michaud,ExtraitsArabes.‡Seetheaccountofthisremarkablestone,antep.7,8.

Aftertheconquestoftheholycity,andthelossoftheTempleatJerusalem,theKnights Templars established the chief house of their order atAntioch, towhichplacetheyretiredwithQueenSibylla,thebaronsofthekingdom,andthepatriarchHeraclius.*

The following account of the condition of the few remaining Christianpossessions immediately after the conquest of Jerusalem, was conveyed by thebefore-mentioned Brother Terric, Grand Preceptor of the Temple, and TreasurerGeneraloftheOrder,toHenrytheSecond,kingofEngland.

GERARDDERIDERFORT.A.D.1188.

“ThebrothersofthehospitalofBelvoirasyetbravelyresisttheSaracens;theyhave captured two convoys, and have valiantly possessed themselves of themunitionsofwarandprovisionswhichwerebeingconveyedbytheSaracensfromthefortressofLaFeue.Asyet,also,Carach,intheneighbourhoodofMountRoyal,Mount Royal itself, the Temple of Saphet, the hospital of Carach, Margat, andCastellumBlancum,andtheterritoryofTripoli,andtheterritoryofAntioch,resistSaladin.…FromthefeastofSaintMartinuptothatofthecircumcisionoftheLord,Saladin hath besieged Tyre incessantly, by night and by day, throwing into itimmense stones from thirteenmilitary engines.On the vigils of St. Silvester, theLordConrad,theMarquisofMontferrat,distributedknightsandfootsoldiersalongthewallofthecity,andhavingarmedseventeengalleysandtensmallvessels,withthe assistance of the house of the Hospital and the brethren of the Temple, heengagedthegalleysofSaladin,andvanquishingthemhecapturedeleven,andtook

prisonersthegreatadmiralofAlexandriaandeightotheradmirals,amultitudeoftheinfidelsbeingslain.TherestoftheMussulmangalleys,escapingthehandsoftheChristians, fled to the army of Saladin, and being run aground by his command,weresetonAreandburnttoashes.Saladinhimself,overwhelmedwithgrief,havingcutoff the earsand the tail ofhishorse, rode that samehorse through hiswholearmyinthesightofall.Farewell!Ӡ

TyrewasvaliantlydefendedagainstalltheeffortsofSaladinuntilthewinterhadset in, and then the disappointed sultan, despairing of taking the place, burnt hismilitaryenginesandretired toDamascus. In themeantime,negotiationshadbeensetonfootforthereleasefromcaptivityofGuydeLusignankingofJerusalem,andGerard deRiderfort, theGrandMaster of theTemple.No less than eleven of themost important of the cities and castles remaining to the Christians in Palestine,includingAscalou,Gaza,Jaffa,andNaplous,wereyieldeduptoSaladinbywayofransomfortheseillustriouspersonages;andatthecommencementoftheyear1188,theGrandMasteroftheTempleagainappearedinarmsattheheadoftheremainingforcesoftheOrder.‡

*Hist.Hierosol.GestaDeiperFrancos,tom.i,pt.ii.p.1155.†Hovedenutsup.p646.Schahab’eddinintheRaoudhatein.––Michaud.‡ Jac.deVitr.cap.xcv.Vinisauf,apudXVscript,p.257.Trivetadann.1188,apudHall,p.93.

GERARDDERIDERFORT.A.D.1188.

The torpid sensibility of Christendom had at this time been aroused by theintelligenceofthefallofJerusalem,andoftheprofanationoftheholyplacesbytheconquering infidels. Three hundred knights and a considerable naval force wereimmediately despatched fromSicily, and all theTemplars of theWest capable ofbearingarmshurriedfromtheirpreceptoriestothesea-portsoftheMediterranean,and embarked for Palestine in the ships ofGenoa, Pisa, andVenice. The king ofEnglandforwardedalargesumofmoneytotheOrderforthedefenceofthecityofTyre;butasthesiegehadbeenraisedbeforeitsarrival,andasConrad,thevaliantdefenderoftheplace,claimedatitletothethroneofJerusaleminoppositiontoGuyde Lusignan, the GrandMaster of the Temple refused to deliver the money intoConrad’s hands, in consequence whereof the latter wrote letters filled with bittercomplaintstoKingHenryandthearchbishopofCanterbury.*

Inthespringoftheyear1189,theGrandMasteroftheTemplemarchedoutofTyreattheheadofthenewly-arrivedbrethrenoftheOrder,and,inconjunctionwithalargearmyofcrusaders,laidsiegetoAcre.The“victoriousdefenderofthefaith,tamerofthefollowersofthecross,”hastenedtoitsrelief,andpitchedhistentsonthemountainsofCarouba.

GERARDDERIDERFORT.A.D.1189.

On the 4th of October, the newly-arrived warriors from Europe, eager to

signalize theirprowessagainst the infidels,marchedout toattackSaladin’scamp.TheGrandMasterof theTemple, at theheadofhisknights and the forcesof theOrder,andalargebodyofEuropeanchivalrywhohadrangedthemselvesunderthebanner of theTemplars, formed a reserve.TheMoslem arraywas broken by theimpetuouschargeof thesoldiersof thecross,whopenetratedto the imperial tent,andthenabandonedthemselvestopillage.Theinfidelsrallied,theywereledonbySaladin inperson;and theChristianarmywouldhavebeenannihilatedbutfor theTemplars. Firm and immovable, they presented, for the space of an hour, anunbroken front to the advancingMoslems, andgave time for thediscomfited andpanic-stricken crusaders to recover from their terror and confusion; but ere theyhadbeen rallied, andhad returned to thecharge, theGrandMasterof theTemplewasslain;hefellpiercedwitharrowsattheheadofhisknights;theseneschaloftheOrdersharedthesamefate,andmorethanhalf theTemplarswerenumberedwiththedead.†

WALTER.A.D.1190.

ToGerarddeRiderfortsucceededtheKnightTemplar,BrotherWALTER.‡NeverdidtheflameofenthusiasmburnwithfiercerormoredestructivepowerthanatthisfamoussiegeofAcre.Ninepitchedbattleswerefought,withvariousfortune,intheneighbourhoodofMountCarmel,andduringthefirstyearof thesiegeahundredthousandChristiansarecomputedtohaveperished.Thetentsofthedead,however,were replenishedbynewcomers fromEurope; the fleetsofSaladin succoured thetown, the Christian ships brought continual aid to the besiegers, and the contestseemed interminable.* Saladin’s exertions in the cause of the prophet wereincessant.TheArabauthorscomparehimtoamotherwanderingwithdesperationinsearchofherlostchild,toalionesswhohaslostitsyoung.“Isawhim,”sayshissecretaryBohadin, “in the fieldsofAcre afflictedwith amost cruel disease,withboils from themiddleofhisbody tohisknees, so thathecouldnot sitdown,butonly recline on his side when he entered into his tent, yet he went about to thestationsnearest to theenemy,arrangedhis troops forbattle, and rodeabout fromdawntilleve,nowtotherightwing,thentotheleft,andthentothecentre,patientlyenduring the severity of his pain.”… “OGod,” says his enthusiastic biographer,“thouknowestthatheputforthandlavishlyexpendedallhisenergiesandstrengthtowardstheprotectionandthetriumphofthyreligion;dothoutherefore,OLord,havemercyuponhim.”†

*RadulphdeDicetoutsup.col.642,643.Matt.Par.adann.1188.†RadulphCoggeshale,p.574.Hist.Hierosol.apudGestaDei,tom.i.pars2,p.1165.RadulphdeDicetout

sup,col.649.Vinisauf,cap.xxix.P.270.‡DucangeGloss,tom.vi.p.1036.

AtthisfamoussiegediedthePatriarchHeraclius.‡

*GeoffreydeVinisauf,apudXVscript.cap.xxxv.p.427.Rad.CoggleshaleapudMartene,tom.v.col.566,567.Bohadin,cap.1.toc.

† Bohadin,cap.v.vi.‡ L’artdeverif.tom.i.p297.

CHAPTERVII.RichardCoeurdeLionjoinstheTemplarsbeforeAcre—Thecitysurrenders,andtheTemplarsestablishthechief

houseof theirorderwithin it—CoeurdeLion takesuphisabodewith them—Hesells to them the islandofCyprus—TheTemplarsformthevanofhisarmy—Theirforagingexpeditionsandgreatexploits—CoeurdeLion quits theHolyLand in the disguise of aKnight Templar—TheTemplars build the Pilgrim’sCastle inPalestine—The state of the Order in England—King John resides in the Temple at London— The baronscometohimatthatplace,anddemandMAGNACHARTA—TheexploitsoftheTemplarsinEgypt—ThelettersoftheGrandMastertotheMasteroftheTempleatLondon—TheTemplarsreconquerJerusalem.

“Therefore,friends,AsfarastothesepulchreofChrist(WhosesoldiernowunderwhoseblessedcrossWeareimpressedandengag’dtofight),ForthwithapowerofEnglishshallwelevy,Whosearmsweremouldedintheirmother’swomb,Tochasethesepagans,inthoseholyfields,Overwhoseacreswalkedthoseblessedfeet,Which,fourteenhundredyearsago,werenail’d,Forouradvantage,onthebittercross.”

WALTERA.D.1191.

WALTERA.D.1191.

IN the mean time a third crusade had been preached in Europe. William,archbishop ofTyre, had proceeded to the courts of France andEngland, and hadrepresented in glowing colours the miserable condition of Palestine, and thehorrors and abominationswhich had been committed by the infidels in theHolyCity of Jerusalem. The English and French monarchs laid aside their privateanimosities, and agreed to fight under the same banner against the infidels, andtowardsthecloseofthemonthofMay,inthesecondyearofthesiegeofAcre,theroyalfleetsofPhilipAugustusandRichardCoeurdeLionfloatedintriumphinthebayofAcre.At theperiodof thearrivalofKingRichard theTemplarshadagainlosttheirGrandMaster,andBrotherRobertdeSablé,orSabloil,avaliantknightoftheOrder,whohadcommandedadivisionof theEnglishfleeton thevoyageout,wasplacedattheheadofthefraternity.*Theproudestofthenobility,andthemostvaliantofthechivalryofEurope,ontheirarrivalinPalestine,manifestedaneagerdesiretofightunderthebanneroftheTemple.ManysecularknightswerepermittedbytheGrandMastertotaketheirstationbythesideofthemilitaryfriars,andeventoweartheredcrossontheirbreastswhilstfightingintheranks.

ROBERTDESABLE.A.D.1191.

TheTemplars performed prodigies of valour; “The name of their reputation,andthefameoftheirsanctity,”saysJamesofVitry,bishopofAcre,“likeachamberofperfumesendingforthasweetodour,wasdiffusedthroughouttheentireworld,andallthecongregationofthesaintswillrecounttheirbattlesandglorioustriumphover the enemiesofChrist, knights indeed fromall parts of the earth, dukes, andprinces,after theirexample,castingoff theshacklesof theworld,andrenouncing

the pomps and vanities of this life and all the lusts of the flesh forChrist’s sake,hastenedtojointhem,andtoparticipateintheirholyprofessionandreligion.”†

ROBERTDESABLE.A.D.1191.

OnthemorningofthetwelfthofJuly,sixweeksafterthearrivaloftheBritishfleet, the kings of England and France, the Christian chieftains, and the Turkishemirswith their green banners, assembled in the tent of theGrandMaster of theTemple,totreatofthesurrenderofAcre,andonthefollowingdaythegateswerethrownopentotheexultingwarriorsofthecross.TheTemplarstookpossessionofthree localitieswithin the city by the side of the sea,where they established theirfamous Temple, which became from thenceforth the chief house of the Order.Richard Coeurde Lion, we are told, took up his abodewith the Templars, whilstPhilipresidedinthecitadel.‡

WhenthefierymonarchofEnglandtoredownthebannerofthedukeofAustriafrom its staff and threw it into the ditch, it was the Templars who, interposingbetweentheindignantGermansandthehaughtyBritons,preservedthepeaceoftheChristianarmy.§

DuringhisvoyagefromMessina toAcre,KingRichardhadrevengedhimselfonIsaacComnenus, therulerof the islandofCyprus, for the insultoffered to thebeautiful Berengaria, princess of Navarre, his betrothed bride. The sovereign ofEnglandhaddisembarkedhistroops,stormedthetownofLimisso,andconqueredthewholeisland;andshortlyafterhisarrivalatAcre,hesoldittotheTemplarsforthreehundredthousandlivresd’or.*

*Hist,delamaisondeSablé,liv.vi.chap.5.p.174,175.CottonMS.Nero,E.vi.p.60.folio466,whereheiscalledRobertdeSambeU.L’artdeVerif.p.347.

†Jac.deVitr.cap.65.‡LeroideFranceot lechasteld’Acre,ot lefistgarneret leroid’Angleterreseherberjaenlamaisondu

Temple.––Contin.Hist.bell.Sacr.apudMartene,tom.v.col.634§Chron.OttonisaS.Blazio,c.36.apudScriptoresItalicos,tom.vi.col.892.

ROBERTDESABLE.A.D.1191.

DuringthefamousmarchofRichardCoeurdeLionfromAcretoAscalon,theTemplarsgenerallyledthevanoftheChristianarmy,andtheHospitallersbroughtup the rear.†Saladin,at theheadofan immense force,exertedallhisenergies tooppose theirprogress, and themarch to Jaffa formedaperpetualbattleof elevendays.OnsomeoccasionsCoeurdeLionhimself,at theheadofachosenbodyofknights, led the van, and the Templars were formed into a rear-guard.‡ Theysustained immense loss, particularly in horses, which last calamity, we are told,renderedthemnearlydesperate.§

TheMoslemaswellastheChristianwritersspeakwithadmirationofthefeatsofheroismperformed.“Onthesixthday,”saysBohadin,“thesultanroseatdawnasusual,andheardfromhisbrotherthattheenemywereinmotion.Theyhadsleptthat

night in suitable places about Caesarea, and were now dressing and taking theirfood.Asecondmessengerannouncedthat theyhadbeguntheirmarch;ourbrazendrumwassounded,allwerealert, thesultancameout,andIaccompaniedhim:hesurroundedthemwithchosentroops,andgavethesignalforattack.”…“Theirfootsoldierswerecoveredwiththick-strungpiecesofcloth,fastenedtogetherwithringssoas toresemblecoatsofmail. Isawwithmyowneyesseveralwhohadnotonenor twobut tendarts sticking in theirbacks andyetmarchedonwith a calmandcheerfulstep,withoutanytrepidation!”**

ROBERTDESABLE.A.D.1191.

EveryexertionwasmadetosustainthecourageandenthusiasmoftheChristianwarriors.When thearmyhalted for thenight, and the soldierswereabout to taketheirrest,a loudvoicewasheardfromthemidstof thecamp,exclaiming,“ASSISTTHEHOLYSEPULCHRE,”whichwordswere repeatedby the leadersof thehost, andwere echoed and re-echoed along their extended lines.†† The Templars and theHospitallers,whowerewell acquaintedwith thecountry, employed themselvesbynight in marauding and foraging expeditions. They frequently started off atmidnight,swept thecountrywith their turcopolesor lightcavalry,andreturned tothecampatmorning’sdawnwithrichprizesofoxen,sheep,andprovisions.*

*Contin.Hist.bell.sacr.Martene,tom.v.col.633.Trivet,ad.ann.1191.Chron.deS.Denis, lib.ii.cap.7.Vinisauf,p.328.

† Primariam aciem deducebant Templarii et ultimamHospitalarii, quorum utrique strenue agentsmagnarumvirtutumprætendebantimaginem.––Vinisauf,cap.xii.P.350.

‡Ibirexpræordinaveratquoddiesequentiprimamaciemipsededuceret,etquodTemplariiextremæagminisagerentcustodiam.—Vinisaufcap.xiv.p.351.

§DeducendæextremælegionipræfuerantTemplarii,quitotequoseâdieTurcisirruentibus,atergoamiserunt,quodferedesperatisunt.—Ib.

**Bohadin,cap.cxvi.p.189.††Singulisnoctibusantequamdormituricubarent,quidamadhocdeputatusvocemagnâclamaret fortiter in

medio exercitu dicens, ADJUVA SKPULCHRUM SANCTUM; ad hanc vocem clamabant universi eadem verbarepetentes, et manus suas cum lacrymis uberrimis tendentes in caelum, Dei misericordiam poetulantes etadjutorium.—Vinisaufcap.xii.p.351.

InthegreatplainnearRamleh,whentheTemplarsledthevanof theChristianarmy,Saladinmadealastgrandefforttoarresttheirprogress,whichwasfollowedbyone of the greatest battles of the age.Geoffrey deVinisauf, the companionofKingRichardon thisexpedition,givesa livelyandenthusiasticdescriptionof theappearanceoftheMoslemarrayinthegreatplainaroundJaffaandRamleh.Onallsides,farastheeyecouldreach,fromthesea-shoretothemountains,noughtwastobe seen but a forest of spears, above which waved banners and standardsinnumerable.ThewildBedouins,†thechildrenofthedesert,mountedontheirfleetArab mares, coursed with the rapidity of the lightning over the vast plain, anddarkened the air with clouds of missiles. Furious and unrelenting, of a horrible

aspect,withskinsblackerthansoot,theystrovebyrapidmovementandcontinuousassaults to penetrate the well-ordered array of the Christian warriors. Theyadvanced to the attack with horrible screams and bellowings, which, with thedeafeningnoiseofthetrumpets,horns,cymbals,andbrazenkettledrums,produceda clamour that resounded through the plain, and would have drowned even thethunderofheaven.

ROBERTDESABLE.A.D.1191.

The engagement commenced with the left wing of the Hospitallers, and thevictory of the Christians was mainly owing to the personal prowess of KingRichard. Amid the disorder of his troops, Saladin remained on the plain withoutloweringhisstandardorsuspendingthesoundofhisbrazenkettle-drums,heralliedhis forces, retired upon Ramleh, and prepared to defend the road leading toJerusalem.TheTemplarsandHospitallers,whenthebattlewasover,wentinsearchof Jacques d’Asvesnes, one of themost valiant ofKingRichard’s knights,whosedead body, placed on their spears, they brought into the camp amid the tears andlamentationsoftheirbrethren.‡

The Templars, on one of their foraging expeditions, were surrounded by asuperior force of four thousand Moslem cavalry; the Earl of Leicester, with achosenbodyofEnglish,wassentbyCoeurdeLiontotheirassistance,butthewholepartywasoverpoweredandindangerofbeingcuttopieces,whenRichardhimselfhurriedtothesceneofactionwithhisfamousbattle-axe,andrescuedtheTemplarsfromtheirperiloussituation.§Bythevalourandexertionsofthelion-heartedking,thecityofGaza,theancientfortressoftheOrder,whichhadbeentakenbySaladinsoon after the battle of Tiberias, was recovered to the Christian arms, thefortificationswere repaired, and the placewas restored to theKnights Templars,whoagaingarrisoneditwiththeirsoldiers.

*Ibid.cap.xxxii.p.369.†Bedewinihorridi,fuligineobscuriores,peditesimprobissimi,arcusgestantescumpharetris,etanciliarotunda,

genequidemacerrimaetexpedita.—Vinisauf,cap.xviii.p.355.‡Vinisaufcap.xxii.p.360.Bohadin,cap.cxx.§Expeditedescenderunt (Templarii)exequis suis,etdorsasingulidorsis sociorumhabenteshaerentia, facie

versâ in hostes, sese viriliter defendere coeperunt. Ibi videri fuit pugnam acerrimam, ictus validissimos, tinniuntgalea a percutientium collisione gladiorum, igneæ exsiliunt scintillæ, crepitant arma tumultuantium, perstrepuntvoces;Turciseviriliteringerunt,Templariistrenuissimedefendunt.—Ib.cap.xxx.p.366,367.

Asthearmyadvanced,SaladinfellbacktowardsJerusalem,andthevanguardoftheTemplarswaspushedontothesmalltownofRamleh.

AtmidnightofthefestivaloftheHolyInnocents,apartyofthemsalliedoutofthecampincompanywithsomeHospitallersonaforagingexpedition;theyscouredthe mountains in the direction of Jerusalem, and at morning’s dawn returned toRamlehwithmorethantwohundredoxen.*

When the Christian army went into winter quarters, the Templars establishedthemselves at Gaza, and King Richard and his army were stationed in theneighbouring townofAscalon, thewallsandhousesofwhichwere rebuiltby theEnglishmonarch during thewinter.Whilst theChristian forceswere reposing inwinterquarters,anarrangementwasmadebetweentheTemplars,KingRichard,andGuydeLusignan,“thekingwithoutakingdom,”forthecessiontothelatteroftheislandofCyprus,previouslysoldbyRichardtotheOrderoftheTemple,byvirtueofwhicharrangement,GuydeLusignantookpossessionoftheislandandruledthecountrybythemagnificenttitleofemperor.†

When the winter rains had subsided, the Christian forces were again put inmotion,butboththeTemplarsandHospitallersstronglyadvisedCoeurdeLionnottomarchuponJerusalem,andthelatterappearstohavehadnostronginclinationtoundertake the siege of the holy city, havingmanifestly no chanceof success.TheEnglishmonarchdeclared thathewouldbeguidedby theadviceof theTemplarsand Hospitallers, who were acquainted with the country, and were desirous ofrecoveringtheirancient inheritances.Thearmy,however,advancedwithinaday’sjourneyof theholycity,andthenacouncilwascalledtogether,consistingoffiveKnights Templars, five Hospitallers, five eastern Christians, and five westernCrusaders,andtheexpeditionwasabandoned.‡

ROBERTDESABLE.A.D.1192.

TheTemplars tookpart in theattackupon thegreatEgyptianconvoy,whereinfourthousandandseventycamels,fivehundredhorses,provisions,tents,arms,andclothing,andagreatquantityofgoldandsilver,werecaptured,andthenfellbackuponAcre;theywerefollowedbySaladin,whoimmediatelycommencedoffensiveoperations,and laidsiege toJaffa.TheTemplarsmarchedby land to thereliefoftheplace,andCoeurdeLionhurriedbysea.Manyvaliantexploitswereperformed,the town was relieved, and the campaign was concluded by the ratification of atreatywhereby theChristianswere to enjoy theprivilegeofvisiting Jerusalemaspilgrims.Tyre,Acre,andJaffa,withallthesea-coastbetweenthem,wereyieldedtothe Latins, but it was stipulated that the fortifications of Ascalon should bedemolished.*

*Vtnisaufcap.xxxii.p.369.†Ib.cap.xxxvii.p.392.Contin.Hist.Bell.Sacr.apudMartene,r.col.638.‡Vinisauf,lib.v.cap.1,p.403.Ibid.lib.vi.cap.2,p.404.

After the conclusion of this treaty, King Richard being anxious to take theshortestandspeediestroutetohisdominionsbytraversingthecontinentofEurope,andtotravelindisguisetoavoidthemaliceofhisenemies,madeanarrangementwithhisfriendRobertdeSable,theGrandMasteroftheTemple,wherebythelatterundertook to place a galley of the Order at the disposal of the king, and it was

determined that whilst the royal fleet pursued its course with Queen BerengariathroughtheStraitsofGibraltartoBritain,CoeurdeLionhimself,disguisedinthehabitofaKnightTemplar,shouldsecretlyembarkandmakeforoneoftheportsoftheAdriatic.Theplanwascarriedintoeffectonthenightofthe26thofOctober,andKingRichardsetsail,accompaniedbysomeattendants,andfourtrustyTemplars.†Thehabithehadassumed,however,protectedhimnot,asiswellknown,fromthecowardlyvengeanceofthebasedukeofAustria.

Thelion-heartedmonarchwasoneofthemanybenefactorstotheOrderoftheTemple.HegrantedtothefraternityhismanorofCalow,withvariouspowersandprivileges.‡

GILBERTHORAL.A.D.1195.

Shortlyafterhisdeparture fromPalestine, theGrandMaster,RobertdeSablé,wassucceededbyBrotherGilbertHoralorErail,whohadpreviouslyfilledthehighofficeofGrandPreceptorofFrance.§TheTemplars,toretainandstrengthentheirdominion in Palestine, commenced the erection of various strong fortresses, thestupendous ruinsofmanyofwhich remain to thisday.Themost famousof thesewas the Pilgrim’s Castle,** which commanded the coast-road from Acre toJerusalem.ItderiveditsnamefromasolitarytowererectedbytheearlyTemplarsto protect the passageof the pilgrims through a dangerous pass in themountainsborderingthesea-coast,andwascommencedshortlyaftertheremovalofthechiefhouseoftheOrderfromJerusalemtoAcre.AsmallpromontorywhichjutsoutintotheseaafewmilesbelowMountCarmel,wasconvertedintoafortifiedcamp.Twogigantic towers, a hundred feet in height and seventy-four feet in width, wereerected, together with enormous bastions connected together by strong wallsfurnishedwithallkindsofmilitaryengines.Thevast inclosurecontainedapalacefor the use of the Grand Master and knights, a magnificent church, houses andoffices for the serving brethren and hired soldiers, together with pasturages,vineyards,gardens,orchards,andfishponds.Ononesideof thewallswas thesaltsea, and on the other, within the camp, delicious springs of fresh water. Thegarrisonamountedtofourthousandmenintimeofwar.*Considerableremainsofthisfamousfortressarestillvisibleonthecoast,afewmilestothesouthofAcre.Itis still called by the Levantines,Castel Pellegrino. Pococke describes it as “verymagnificent,andsofinelybuilt, that itmaybereckonedoneof the things thatarebest worth seeing in these parts.… It is encompassed,” says he, “with twowallsfifteenfeetthick,theinnerwallontheeastsidecannotbelessthanfortyfeethigh,andwithinitthereappeartohavebeensomeverygrandapartments.Theofficesofthefortressseemtohavebeenat thewestend,whereIsawanovenfifteenfeet indiameter.Inthecastlethereareremainsofafineloftychurchoftensides,builtinalight gothic taste: three chapels are built to the three eastern sides, each ofwhichconsistsoffivesides,exceptingtheopeningtothechurch;intheseitisprobablethe

threechiefaltarsstood.ӠIrbyandManglesreferringatasubsequentperiodtotheruins of the church, describe it as a double hexagon, and state that the half thenstandinghadsixsides.Belowthecornicearehumanheadsandheadsofanimalsinalto relievo, and thewalls are adornedwith a double line of arches in the gothicstyle,thearchitecturelightandelegant.TonarratealltheexploitsoftheTemplars,and all the incidents and events connected with the Order, would be to write thehistoryoftheLatinkingdomofPalestine,whichwaspreservedandmaintainedfortheperiodofninety-nineyearsafterthedepartureofRichardCoeurdeLion,solelybytheexertionsoftheTemplarsandtheHospitallers.Noactionofimportancewasever fought with the infidels, in which the Templars did not take an active anddistinguishedpart,norwastheatabaloftheMussulmeneversoundedindefianceonthe frontier, without the trumpets of the Templars receiving and answering thechallenge.

PHILIPDUPLESSIES.A.D.1201.

TheGrandMaster,GilbertHoral,was succeeded by PhilipDulplessies orDePlesseis.‡ We must now refer to a few events connected with the Order of theTempleinEngland.

*Ib.cap.iv.v.p.406,407,&c.&c.;cap.xi.p.410;cap.xiv.p.412.KingRichardwasthefirsttoenterthetown. Tune rex per cocleam quandaxn, quam forte prospexerat in domibus Templariorum solus primus intravitvillam.—Vinisauf,p.413,414.

†Contin.HistBell.Sacr,apudMartene,tom.v.col.641.‡ Concessimus omne jus, omne dominium quod ad nos pertinet et pertineat, omnem potestatem, omnes

libertatesetliberasconsuetudinesquasregiapotestasconferrepotest.Cart.Ric.1.ann.5,regnisui.§HispaniaIllustrata,tom.iii.p.59.Hist,gen.deLanguedoc,tom.iii.p.409.Cotton,MS.NeroE.VI.23.i.**CastrumnostrumquodPeregrinorumdicitur,seetheletteroftheGrandMasterMatt.Par.p.312,andJac.

deVitr.lib.iii.apudGest.Dei,p.1131.* “Opus egregium,” says James of Vitry,” ubi tot et tantas effuderunt divitias, quod mirum est undo eas

accipiunt.”—Hist. Orient. lib. iii. apudGest. Dei, tom. i. pars 9, p. 1131,Martene, tom. iii. col. 288.Hist. capt.Damietæ,apudHist.Angl.script.XV.p.437,438,whereitiscalledCastrumFiliiDei.

† Pococke,TravelsintheEast,booki.chap.15.‡Dufresne,Gloss.Archivesd’Arles.Cotton,MS.NeroE.VI.

PHILIPDUPLESSIES.A.D.1213.

BrotherGeoffrey,whowasMasteroftheTempleatLondonattheperiodoftheconsecrationoftheTempleChurchbythePatriarchofJerusalem,diedshortlyafterthecaptureoftheHolyCitybySaladin,andwassucceededbyBrotherAmaricdeSt.Maur,who is an attestingwitness to the deed executedbyKing John,A.D. 1203,grantingadowrytohisyoungqueen,thebeautifulIsabellaofAngouleme.*PhilipAugustus, king of France, placed a vast sum of gold and silver in the Temple atParis, and the treasure of John, king of England,was deposited in the Temple atLondon.†KingJohn,indeed,frequentlyresided,forweekstogether,attheTemplein London, and many of his writs and precepts to his lieutenants, sheriffs, andbailiffs,aredatedtherefrom.‡TheordersfortheconcentrationoftheEnglishfleet

atPortsmouth, toresist theformidableFrenchinvasioninstigatedbythepope,aredated from the Temple, and the convention between the king and the count ofHolland,wherebythe latteragreed toassistKingJohnwithabodyofknightsandmen-at-arms,incaseofthelandingoftheFrench,waspublishedatthesameplace.§

Inall theconferencesandnegotiationsbetween themean-spiritedkingand theimperiousandoverbearingRomanpontiff,theKnightsTemplarstookanactiveanddistinguished part. Two brethren of the Order were sent by Pandulph, the papallegate,toKingJohn,toarrangethatfamousconferencebetweenthemwhichendedin thecompletesubmissionof the latter toall thedemandsof theholysee.Bytheadvice and persuasion of the Templars, King John repaired to the preceptory ofTempleEwell,nearDover,wherehewasmetbythelegatePandulph,whocrossedover from France to confer with him, and the mean-hearted king was therefrightenedintothatcelebratedresignationofthekingdomsofEnglandandIreland,“toGod,totheholyapostlesPeterandPaul,totheholyRomanchurchhismother,and to his lord, Pope Innocent the Third, and his catholic successors, for theremission of all his sins and the sins of all his people, as well the living as thedead.”**ThefollowingyearthecommandsofKingJohnfortheextirpationofthehereticsinGascony,addressedtotheseneschalofthatprovince,wereissuedfromtheTemple atLondon,†† and about the sameperiod theTemplarsweremade thedepositariesofvariousprivateandconfidentialmatterspendingbetweenKingJohnandhisillustrioussister-in-law,“theroyal,eloquent,andbeauteous”BerengariaofNavarre, theyouthfulwidowedqueenofRichardCoeurdeLion*TheTemplars inEngland managed the money transactions of that fair princess. She directed herdower to be paid in the house of the New Temple at London, together with thearrearsduetoherfromtheking,amountingtoseveralthousandpounds.†

*ActaetFoedera,Rymeri,tom.i.p.134,ad.ann.1203,ed.1704.†RigordinGest.Philippi.ActaRymeri,tom.i.p.165,173.‡ItinerariumregisJohannis,compiledfromthegrantsandpreceptsofthatmonarch,byThomasDuffHardy,

publishedbytheRecordCommissioners.§ActaRymeri, tom.i.p.170,ad.ann.1213.**Matt.Par.ad.ann.1213,p.234,236,237.Matt.Westr.p.

271,2.Bib.Cotton.NeroC.2.ActaRymeritom.i.p.172,173.KingJohnresidedatTempleEwellfromthe7thtothe28thofMay.

††TestemeipsoapudNovumTemplumLondon.…ActaRymeri,tom.i.p.105.ad.ann.1214,ed.1704.

PHILIPDUPLESSIES.A.D.1215.

John was resident at the Temple when he was compelled by the barons ofEngland to signMagna Charta. Matthew Paris tells us that the barons came to him,whilsthewas residing in theNewTempleatLondon,“inavery resolutemanner,clothed in their military dresses, and demanded the liberties and laws of KingEdward,withothersforthemselves,thekingdom,andthechurchofEngland.‡

King John was a considerable benefactor to the Order. He granted to thefraternity the Isle of Lundy, at the mouth of the river Severn; all his land at

Radenach and at Harewood, in the county of Hereford; and he conferred on theTemplarsnumerousprivileges.§

WILLIAMDECHARTRES.A.D.1217.

TheGrandMasterPhilipDuplessieswassucceededbyBrotherWilliamdeChartres,asappearsfromthefollowinglettertothePope:

WILLIAMDECHARTRES.A.D.1217.

“TotheveryreverendfatherinChrist,theLordHonorius,bytheprovidenceofGodchiefpontiffoftheHolyRomanChurch,WilliamdeChartres,humbleMasterofthepoorchivalryoftheTemple,profferethalldueobedienceandreverence,withthekissofthefoot.

“BytheseourletterswehastentoinformyourpaternityofthestateofthatHolyLandwhichtheLordhathconsecratedwithhisownblood.Knowthat,attheperiodofthedepartureoftheseletters,animmensenumberofpilgrims,bothknightsandfoot soldiers, marked with the emblem of the life-giving cross, arrived at AcrefromGermanyandotherpartsofEurope.Saphadin,thegreatsultanofEgypt,hathremainedcloselywithintheconfinesofhisowndominions,notdaringinanywaytomolestus.Thearrivalof thekingofHungary,andof thedukesofAustriaandMoravia, together with the intelligence just received of the near approach of thefleetoftheFriths,hasnotalittlealarmedhim.Neverdowerecollectthepowerofthe Pagans so low as at the present time; and may the omnipotent God, O holyfather,makeitgrowweakerandweakerdaybyday.Butwemustinformyouthatinthese parts corn and barley, and all the necessaries of life, have becomeextraordinarilydear.Thisyeartheharvesthasutterlydisappointedtheexpectationsofourhusbandmen,andhasalmosttotallyfailed.Thenatives,indeed,nowdependforsupportaltogetheruponthecornimportedfromtheWest,butasyetverylittleforeign grain has been received; and to increase our uneasiness, nearly all ourknightsaredismounted,andwecannotprocurehorsestosupplytheplacesofthosethat have perished. It is therefore of the utmost importance, O holy father, toadvertise allwho design to assume the cross of the above scarcity, that theymayfurnishthemselveswithplentifulsuppliesofgrainandhorses.

* “Formam autem rei prolocutae inter nos et ipsoa, scriptam et sigillo nostro sigillatam. … in custodiamTemplariorumcommisimus.”—LiterœRegissororisuœReginœBerengariœ,ib.p.194.

†BerengariaDeigratiâ,quondamhumilisAngliæRegina.Omnibus,&c.salutem.…HancpecuniamsolvetindomoNoviTempliLondon.Ib.p.208,209,ad.ann.1215.

‡Matt.Par.p.253,ad.ann.1215.§Monast.Angl.vol.vi.partii.

“BeforethearrivalofthekingofHungaryandthedukeofAustria,wehadcometo thedeterminationofmarchingagainst thecityofNaplous, andofbringing theSaracenchiefCoradintoanengagementifhewouldhaveawaitedourattack,butwe

haveallnowdeterminedtoundertakeanexpeditionintoEgypttodestroythecityofDamietta,andweshallthenmarchuponJerusalem.…”*

WILLIAMDECHARTRES.A.D.1218.

ItwasinthemonthofMay,A.D.1218,thatthegalleysoftheTemplarssetsailfrom Acre on the above-mentioned memorable expedition into Egypt. They castanchor in the mouth of the Nile, and, in conjunction with a powerful army ofcrusaders,laidsiegetoDamietta.Apestilencebrokeoutshortlyaftertheirarrival,andhurriedtheGrandMaster,WilliamdeChartres,tohisgrave.†Hewassucceededbytheveteranwarrior,BrotherPeterdeMontaigu,GrandPreceptorofSpain.‡

PETERDEMONTAIGU.A.D.1218.

James of Vitry, bishop of Acre, who accompanied the Templars on thisexpedition, gives an enthusiastic account of their famous exploits, and of thetremendous battles fought upon the Nile, in one of which a large vessel of theTemplarswassunk,andeverysoulonboardperished.Hedescribesthegreatassaultontheircamptowardsthemiddleoftheyear1219,whenthetrencheswereforced,andalltheinfantryputtoflight.“TheinsultingshoutsoftheconqueringSaracens,”says he, “were heard on all sides, and a panicwas rapidly spreading through thedisordered ranks of the whole army of the cross, when the Grand Master andbrethrenoftheTemplemadeadesperatecharge,andbravelyroutedthefirstranksoftheinfidels.ThespiritofGideonanimatedtheTemplars,andtherestofthearmy,stimulatedbytheirexample,bravelyadvancedtotheirsupport.…ThusdidtheLordonthatday, throughthevalourof theTemplars,save thosewhotrusted inHim.”§Immediately after the surrender of Damietta, the Grand Master of the TemplereturnedtoAcretorepeltheforcesofthesultanofDamascus,whohadinvadedtheHolyLand,asappearsfromthefollowinglettertothebishopofEly.

*Ital.etRaven.HistoriarumHieronymiRubei,lib.vi.p.380,381,adann.1217.ed,Ven.1603.†Jac.deVitr.lib.iii.ad.ann.1218.GestaDei,tomi.1,para2,p.1133,4,5.‡ Gall.Christnov.tom.ii.col.714,tornvii.col.229.§Jac.deVitr.Hist.Orient,utsup.p.1138.BernardThesaur.apudMuratori,cap.190to200.

“Brother Peter de Montaigu, Master of the Knights of the Temple, to thereverend brother in Christ, N., by the grace of God bishop of Ely, health. Weproceedbytheseletterstoinformyourpaternityhowwehavemanagedtheaffairsof our Lord Jesus Christ since the capture of Damietta and of the castle ofTaphneos.” The Grand Master describes various military operations, the greatnumberofgalleys fittedoutby theSaracens to intercept the supplies and succourfromEurope,andthearmingofthegalleys,galliots,andothervesselsoftheOrderoftheTempletoopposethem,andcleartheseasoftheinfidelflag.HestatesthatthesultanofDamascushadinvadedPalestine,hadravagedthecountryaroundAcreand

Tyre,andhadventuredtopitchhistentsbeforethecastleofthePilgrims,andhadtakenpossessionofCæsarea.“Ifwearedisappointed,”sayshe,“ofthesuccourweexpect in the ensuing summer, all our newly-acquired conquests, as well as theplacesthatwehaveheldforagespast,willbeleftinaverydoubtfulcondition.Weourselves,andothersintheseparts,aresoimpoverishedbytheheavyexpenseswehave incurred inprosecuting theaffairsofJesusChrist, thatweshallbeunable tocontribute the necessary funds, unless we speedily receive succour and subsidiesfromthefaithful.GivenatAcre,xii.kal.October,A.D.1222.”*

The troops of the sultan of Damascus were repulsed and driven beyond thefrontier, and the Grand Master then returned to Damietta, to superintend thepreparations for amarchuponCairo.The resultsof thatdisastrouscampaignaredetailedin thefollowingletter toBrotherAlanMarcel,PreceptorofEngland,andMasteroftheTempleatLondon.“BrotherPeterdeMontaigu,humbleMasterofthesoldiers ofChrist, to our vicegerent and beloved brother inChrist,AlanMarcel,PreceptorofEngland.

PETERDEMONTAIGU.A.D.1222.

“Hitherto we have had favourable information to communicate unto youtouchingourexertions in thecauseofJesusChrist;now,alas!suchhavebeen thereversesanddisasterswhichoursinshavebroughtuponusinthelandofEgypt,thatwehavenothingbutillnewstoannounce.AfterthecaptureofDamietta,ourarmyremained for some time in a state of inaction, which brought upon us frequentcomplaints and reproaches from theeasternand thewesternChristians.At length,afterthefeastoftheholyapostles,thelegateoftheholypontiff,andalloursoldiersofthecross,putthemselvesinmarchbylandandbytheNile,andarrivedingoodorderatthespotwherethesultanwasencamped,attheheadofanimmensenumberof theenemiesof thecross.TheriverTaphneos,anarmof thegreatNile, flowedbetweenthecampofthesultanandourforces,andbeingunabletofordthisriver,we pitched our tents on its banks, and prepared bridges to enable us to force thepassage. In themean time, theannual inundation rapidly increased,and thesultan,passinghisgalleysandarmedboatsthroughanancientcanal,floatedthemintotheNile below our positions, and cut off our communications with Damietta.” …“Nothingnowwas tobedonebut to retraceour steps.The sultansofAleppoandDamascus, the two brothers of the sultan, and many chieftains and kings of thepagans,with an immensemultitude of infidelswho had come to their assistance,attemptedtocutoffourretreat.Atnightwecommencedourmarch,buttheinfidelscutthroughtheembankmentsoftheNile,thewaterrushedalongseveralunknownpassages and ancient canals, and encompassed us on all sides. We lost all ourprovisions,manyofourmenweresweptintothestream,andthefurtherprogressofourChristianwarriorswasforthwitharrested.Thewaterscontinuedtoincreaseupon us, and in this terrible inundation we lost all our horses and saddles, our

carriages, baggage, furniture, and moveables, and everything that we had. Weourselvescouldneitheradvancenorretreat,andknewnotwhithertoturn.WecouldnotattacktheEgyptiansonaccountofthegreatlakewhichextendeditselfbetweenthemandus;wewerewithoutfood,andbeingcaughtandpentuplikefishinanet,therewasnothingleftforusbuttotreatwiththesultan.

*Epist.MagniMagistriTempliapudMatt.Par.p.312,313.

“WeagreedtosurrenderDamietta,withalltheprisonerswhichwehadinTyreandatAcre,onConditionthat thesultanrestoredtous thewoodof the truecrossand the prisoners that he detained atCairo andDamascus.We,with some others,weredeputedby thewholearmy toannounce to thepeopleofDamietta the termsthathadbeenimposeduponus.ThesewereverydispleasingtothebishopofAcre,*tothechancellor,andsomeothers,whowishedtodefendthetown,ameasurewhichweshouldindeedhavegreatlyapprovedof,hadtherebeenanyreasonablechanceofsuccess;forwewouldratherhavebeenthrustintoperpetualimprisonmentthanhave surrendered, to the shame ofChristendom, this conquest to the infidels.Butafter having made a strict investigation into the means of defence, and findingneithermennormoneywherewithtoprotecttheplace,wewereobligedtosubmittotheconditionsofthesultan,who,afterhavingexactedfromusanoathandhostages,accorded tousa truceofeightyears.During thenegotiations the sultan faithfullykepthisword,andforthespaceoffifteendaysfurnishedoursoldierswiththebreadand corn necessary for their subsistence. “Do you, therefore, pitying ourmisfortunes,hastentorelievethemtotheutmostofyourability.Farewell.”†

PETERDEMONTAIGU.A.D.1223.

BrotherAlanMarcell,towhomtheaboveletterisaddressed,succeededAmaricdeSt.Maur, andwasat theheadof theOrder inEngland for the spaceof sixteenyears.HewasemployedbyKingHenrytheThirdinvariousimportantnegotiations;andwasMasteroftheTempleatLondon,whenReginald,kingoftheislandofMan,by the advice andpersuasionof the legatePandulph,made a solemn surrender atthat place of his island to the pope and hisCatholic successors, and consented toholdthesamefromthenceforthasthefeudatoryofthechurchofRome.*

*Ourhistorian, JamesdeVitry; he subsequently becameoneof thehostages.Contin.Hist. apud.Martene,tom.v.col.698

†Matt.Par.ad.ann.1222,p.314.Seealsoanotherletter,p.313.

PETERDEMONTAIGU.A.D.1224.

AtthecommencementofthereignofHenrytheThird,theTemplarsinEnglandappeartohavebeenonbadtermswiththeking.Thelattermadeheavycomplaintsagainst them to the pope, and the holy pontiff issued (A.D. 1223) the bull “DEINSOLENTIATEMPLARIORUMREPRIMENDA,”inwhichhestatesthathisverydearsonin

Christ, Henry, the illustrious king of the English, had complained to him of theusurpationsoftheTemplarsontheroyaldomains;thattheyhadplacedtheircrossesupon houses that did not belong to them, and prevented the customary dues andservices frombeing rendered to the crown; that theyundutifully set at nought thecustoms of the king’s manors, and involved the bailiffs and royal officers inlawsuits before certain judges of their own appointment. The pope directs twoabbotstoinquireintothesematters,preparatorytofurtherproceedingsagainsttheguiltyparties;†buttheTemplarssoonbecamereconciledtotheirsovereign,andonthe 28th of April of‡the year following, the Master, Brother Alan Marcell, wasemployed by King Henry to negotiate a truce between himself and the king ofFrance. The king of England appears at that time to have been resident at theTemple,thelettersofcredencebeingmadeoutatthatplace,inthepresenceofthearchbishop of Canterbury, several bishops, and Hubert, the chief justiciary.§ Theyear after, the sameAlanMarcellwas sent intoGermany, to negotiate a treatyofmarriagebetweenKingHenryandthedaughterofthedukeofAustria.**

At this period, Brother Hugh de Stocton and Richard Ranger, knights of theconventoftheNewTempleatLondon,weretheguardiansoftheroyaltreasureintheTower,andtheformerwasmadethedepositary,ofthemoneypaidannuallybythe king to the count ofFlanders.Hewas also entrusted byHenry theThirdwithlargesumsofmoney,outofwhichhewascommandedtopaytenthousandmarkstotheemperorofConstantinople.††

Among the many illustrious benefactors to the Order of the Temple at thisperiod was Philip the Second, king of France, who bequeathed the sum of onehundredthousandpoundstotheGrandMasteroftheTemple.*

*ActumLondonindomoMilitiæTempli,II.kal.Octob.ActaRymeri,tom.i.p.234,adann.1219.†ActaRymeri,tom.i.adann1223,p.258.‡Mittimuaadvosdilect.nobisinChristo,fratremAlanumMarcellMagistrummilitiæTempliinAngliâ,&c.

… .Teste meipso apud Novum Templum London coram Domino Cantuar––archiepiscopo, Huberto de BurgojustitiarioetJ.Bath––Sarumepiscopis.ActaRymeri,tom.i.p.270,adann.1224.

§Ib.p.275.**Ib.p.311,373,380.

HERMANNDEPERIGORD.A.D.1236.

HERMANNDEPERIGORD.A.D.1237.

TheGrandMaster,PeterdeMontaigu,was succeededbyBrotherHermanndePerigord.†Shortlyafterhisaccessiontopower,WilliamdeMontserrat,PreceptorofAntioch,being“desirousofextendingtheChristianterritories,tothehonourandgloryofJesasChrist,”besiegedafortressoftheinfidels intheneighbourhoodofAntioch. He refused to retreat before a superior force, and was surrounded andoverwhelmed; a hundred knights of theTemple and three hundred cross-bowmenwere slain, together with many secular warriors, and a large number of foot

soldiers. The Balcanifer, or standard-bearer, on this occasion, was an EnglishKnightTemplar,namedReginaldd’Argenton,whoperformedprodigiesofvalour.Hewasdisabledandcoveredwithwounds,yetheunflinchinglyboretheBeauseant,orwar-banner,aloftwithhisbleedingarmsintothethickestofthefight,untilheatlastfelldeaduponaheapofhisslaughteredcomrades.ThePreceptorofAntioch,beforehewasslain,“sentsixteeninfidelstohell.”‡

HERMANNDEPERIGORD.A.D.1239.

As soon as the Templars in England heard of this disaster, they sent, inconjunctionwiththeHospitallers, instantsuccourtotheirbrethren.“TheTemplarsandtheHospitallers,”saysMatthewParis,“eagerlypreparedtoavengethebloodoftheir brethren so gallantly poured forth in the cause of Christ. The HospitallersappointedBrotherTheodore, theirprior, amostvaliant soldier, to leadabandofknightsandofstipendiary troops,withan immense treasure, to thesuccourof theHolyLand.Havingmadetheirarrangements,theyallstartedfromthehouseoftheHospitallersatClerkenwellinLondon,andpassedthroughthecitywithspearsheldaloft,shieldsdisplayed,andbannersadvanced.Theymarchedinsplendidpomptothe bridge, and sought a blessing from all who crowded to see them pass. Thebrothersindeeduncovered,bowedtheirheadsfromsidetoside,andrecommendedthemselvestotheprayersofall.”§

WhilsttheKnightsTemplarswerethusvaliantlysustainingthecauseofthecrossagainst the infidels in the East, one of the holy brethren of theOrder, the king’sspecial counsellor, named Geoffrey, was signalising his zeal against infidels athomeinEngland,(A.D.1239),byafiercedestructionandexterminationoftheJews.AccordingtoMatthewParis,heseizedandincarceratedtheunhappyIsraelites,andextorted from them immense sums of money.* Shortly afterwards, BrotherGeoffrey fell into disgrace and was banished from court, and Brother Roger,another Templar, the king’s almoner, shared the same fate, andwas forbidden toapproachtheroyalpresence.†SomeofthebrethrenoftheOrderwerealwaysaboutthecourt,andwhentheEnglishmonarchcrossedtheseas,hegenerallywrotelettersto theMaster of the Temple at London, informing him of the state of the royalhealth.‡

*Sanut,lib.iii.cx.p.210.†Cotton,MS.NeroE.VI.p.60.fol.466.NeroE.VI.23.i.† Cecidit autem in illo infausto certnmine illustris miles Templarius Anglicus natione, Reginaldus de

Argentomio, eâ die Balcanifer; … indefessus vero vexillum sustinebat, donec tibiæ cum cruribus et manibusfrangerentur. Solus quoque eorum Preceptor priusquam trucidaretur, sexdecim hostium ad inferos destinavit.—Matt.Par.p.443,adann.1237.

§AClerkenwelle domo sua,quæestLondoniis, permediumcivitatis, clypeis circiter trigintadetectis, hastisele vat is, et prævio vexillo, versus pontem, ut ab omnibus viden-tibus, benedictionem obtinerent, perrexerunteleganter. Fratres vero inclinatis capitibus, hinc et inde caputiis depositis, se omnium precibus commendaverunt.—Matt.Par.p.443,444.

Itwasatthisperiod,(A.D.1240),thattheoblongportionoftheTemplechurch

wascompletedandconsecratedinthepresenceofKingHenrytheThird.§HERMANNDEPERIGORD.A.D.1236

TheGrandMastership of BrotherHermann de Perigord is celebrated for thetreatyenteredintowiththeinfidels,wherebytheHolyCitywasagainsurrenderedtotheChristians.Thepatriarchreturnedthitherwithallhisclergy,thechurcheswerereconsecrated, and the Templars and Hospitallers emptied their treasuries inrebuildingthewalls.

ThefollowingaccountofthesegratifyingeventswastransmittedbytheGrandMasteroftheTempletoRobertdeSanford,PreceptorofEngland,andMasteroftheTempleatLondon.

“Brother Hermann de Perigord, humbleminister of the knights of the poorTemple,tohisbelovedbrotherinChrist,RobertdeSanford,PreceptorinEngland,salvationintheLord.

“Since it is our duty, whenever an opportunity offers, to make known to thebrotherhood,bylettersorbymessengers,thestateandprospectsoftheHolyLand,wehastentoinformyou,thatafterourgreatsuccessesagainstthesultanofEgypt,andNassrhissupporterandabettor,thegreatpersecutoroftheChristians,theywerereluctantlycompelledtonegotiateatruce,promisingustorestoretothefollowersof JesusChrist all the territoryon this side Jordan.Wedespatched certain of ourbrethren, noble and discreet personages, to Cairo, to have an interview with theSultanuponthesematters.….”

TheGrandMasterproceeds to relate theprogressof thenegotiations, and thesurrenderoftheHolyCityandthegreaterpartofPalestinetothesoldiersofChrist.…“whence,tothejoyofangelsandofmen,”sayshe,“JerusalemisnowinhabitedbyChristians alone, all theSaracensbeingdrivenout.Theholyplaceshavebeenreconsecratedandpurifiedbytheprelatesofthechurches,andinthosespotswherethenameoftheLordhasnotbeeninvokedforfifty-sixyears,now,blessedbeGod,thedivinemysteriesaredailycelebrated.Toallthesacredplacesthereisagainfreeaccess to the faithful in Christ, nor is it to be doubted but that in this happy andprosperousconditionwemightlongremain,ifourEasternChristianswouldfromhenceforth live in greater concord and unanimity. But, alas! opposition andcontradiction arising from envy and hatred have impeded our efforts in thepromotion of these and other advantages for the land.With the exception of theprelatesofthechurches,andafewofthebarons,whoaffordusalltheassistanceintheirpower,theentireburthenofitsdefencerestsuponourhousealone.

* Et eodem anno (1239) … passi sunt Judæi exterminium magnum et destructionem, eosdem arctante etincarcerante, et pecuniam ab eisdem extorquente Galfrido Templario, Regis speciali consiliario.—Matt. Par. p.489,adann.1239.

†InipsâirâaufugavitfratremRogerumTemplariumabofficioeleemosynariæ,etacuriâjussitelongari.—Ib.Rymer,tom.i.p.404.

§Post.

HERMANNDEPERIGORD.A.D.1242.

“Forthesafeguardandpreservationoftheholyterritory,weproposetoerectafortified castle near Jerusalem, which will enable us the more easily to retainpossessionofthecountry,andtoprotectitagainstallenemies.Butindeedwecaninnowisedefendforanygreatlengthoftimetheplacesthatwehold,againstthesultanofEgypt,who is amostpowerful and talentedman,unlessChrist andhis faithfulfollowersextendtousanefficacioussupport.”*

*Matt.Par.p.615.

CHAPTERVIII.TheconquestofJerusalembytheCarizmians—TheslaughteroftheTemplars,andthedeathoftheGrandMaster

—TheexploitsoftheTemplarsinEgypt—KingLouisofFrancevisitstheTemplarsinPalestine—Heassiststheminputtingthecountryintoadefensiblestate—HenryII.,kingofEngland,visitstheTempleatParis—ThemagnificenthospitalityoftheTemplarsinEnglandandFrance—Benocdar,sultanofEgypt,invadesPalestine—Hedefeats theTemplars, takes theirstrongfortresses,anddecapitatessixhundredof theirbrethren—TheGrandMaster comes to England for succour—The renewal of the war— The fall of Acre, and the finalextinctionoftheTemplarsinPalestine.

“TheKnightsoftheTempleevermaintainedtheirfearlessandfanaticcharacter;iftheyneglectedtolive theywerepreparedtodieintheserviceofChrist.”—Gibbon.

HERMANNDEPERIGORD.A.D.1242.

Shortlyaftertherecoveryoftheholycity,Djemal’eddeen,theMussulman,paida visit to Jerusalem. “I saw,” says he, “the monks and the priests masters of theTempleoftheLord.Isawthevialsofwinepreparedforthesacrifice.IenteredintotheMosquealAcsa,(theTempleofSolomon),andIsawabellsuspendedfromthedome.TheritesandceremoniesoftheMussulmenwereabolished;thecalltoprayerwasnolongerheard.TheinfidelspubliclyexercisedtheiridolatrouspracticesinthesanctuariesoftheMussulmen.”*

HERMANNDEPERIGORD.A.D.1243.

BytheadviceofBenedict,bishopofMarseilles,whocametotheHolyCityonapilgrimage,theTemplarsrebuilttheirancientandformidablecastleofSaphet.Eighthundred and fiftywork-men, and four hundred slaveswere employed in the task.ThewallsweresixtyFrench feet inwidth,onehundredandseventy inheight,andthecircuitofthemwastwothousandtwohundredandfiftyfeet.Theywereflankedbysevenlargeroundtowers,sixtyfeetindiameter,andseventy-twofeethigherthanthe walls. The fosse surrounding the fortress was thirty-six feet wide, and waspierced in the solid rock to a depth of forty-three feet The garrison, in time ofpeace, amounted to one thousand seven hundred men, and to two thousand twohundredintimeofwar.*Theruinsofthisfamouscastlecrowningthesummitofalofty mountain, torn and shattered by earthquakes, still present a stupendousappearance. In Pococke’s time “two particularly fine large round towers” wereentire,andVanEgmontandHeymandescribetheremainsoftwomoatslinedwithfreestone, several fragments of walls, bulwarks, and turrets, together withcorridors, winding staircases, and internal apartments. Ere this fortress wascompleted,theTemplarsagainlosttheholycity,andwerewell-nighexterminatedinabloodybattle foughtwith theCarizmians.Thesewere a fierce, pastoral tribeofTartars,who, descending from the north ofAsia, and quitting their abodes in theneighbourhoodoftheCaspian,rushedheadlonguponthenationsofthesouth.They

overthrew with frightful rapidity, and the most terrific slaughter, all who hadventuredtoopposetheirprogress;and,attheinstigationofSalehAyoub,sultanofEgypt,withwhom theyhad formedanalliance, they turned their armsagainst theHoly Land. In a great battle fought near Gaza, which lasted two days, theGrandMastersoftheTempleandtheHospitalwerebothslain,togetherwiththreehundredandtwelveKnightsTemplars,andthreehundredandtwenty-fourservingbrethren,besides hired soldiers in the pay of the Order.† The following account of thesedisasters was forwarded to Europe by the Vice-Master of the Temple, and thebishopsandabbotsofPalestine.

*MichaudExtraitsArabes,p.549.

HERMANNDEPERIGORD.A.D.1244.

“TothereverendFathersinChrist,andtoallourfriends,archbishops,bishops,abbots,andotherprelatesofthechurchinthekingdomsofFranceandEngland,towhomtheselettersshallcome;—Robert,bythegraceofGod,patriarchoftheholychurchofJerusalem;Henry,archbishopofNazareth;J.electofCæsarea;R.bishopof Acre;William de Rochefort, Vice-Master of the house of the soldiery of theTEMPLE,andoftheconventofthesamehouse;H.priorofthesepulchreoftheLord;B.oftheMountofOlives,&c.&c.Healthandprosperity.”

“Thecruelbarbarian,issuingforthfromtheconfinesoftheEast,hathturnedhisfootstepstowardsthekingdomofJerusalem,thatholyland,which,thoughithathatdifferentperiodsbeengrievouslyharassedby theSaracen tribes,hathyet in theselatter days enjoyed ease and tranquillity, and been at peacewith the neighbouringnations.But, alas! the sinsofourChristianpeoplehave justnowraisedup for itsdestructionanunknownpeople,andanavengingswordfromafar…”TheyproceedtodescribethedestructiveprogressoftheCarizmiansfromTartary,thedevastationofPersia,thefierceexterminationbythosesavagehordesofallracesandnations,withoutdistinctionofreligion,andtheirsuddenentryintotheHolyLandbythesideof Saphet and Tiberias, “when,” say they, “by the common advice, and at theunanimousdesireoftheMastersofthereligioushousesofthechivalryoftheTempleandtheHospital,wecalledintheassistanceofthesultansofDamascusandCarac,whowerebound tousby treaty, andwhobore especialhatred to theCarizmians;theypromisedandsolemnlysworetogiveustheirentireaid,butthesuccourcameslow and tardy; the Christian forces were few in number, and were obliged toabandonthedefenceofJerusalem…”

*Sleph.BaluzMiscell.,lib.vi.p.357.†MarinSanut,p.217.

HERMANNDEPERIGORD.A.D.1244.

After detailing the barbarous and horrible slaughter of five thousand three

hundredChristians,ofbothsexes—men,women,children,monks,priests,andnuns—theythuscontinuetheirsimpleandaffectingnarrative:

HERMANNDEPERIGORD.A.D.1244.

“At length, the before-mentioned perfidious savages having penetrated withinthe gates of theHolyCity of Israel, the small remnant of the faithful left therein,consisting of children, women, and old men, took refuge in the church of thesepulchre of our Lord. The Carizrnians rushed to that holy sanctuary; theybutcheredthemallbeforetheverysepulchreitself,andcuttingofftheheadsofthepriests whowere kneelingwith uplifted hands before the altars, they said one toanother,‘LetushereshedthebloodoftheChristiansontheveryplacewheretheyofferupwinetotheirGod,whotheysaywashangedhere.’Moreover,insorrowbeitspoken,andwithsighsweinformyou,thatlayingtheirsacrilegioushandsontheverysepulchre itself, theysadlydisturbed it,utterlybattering topieces themarbleshrinewhichwas built around that holy sanctuary. They have defiled,with everyabomination of which they were capable, Mount Calvary, where Christ wascrucified,andthewholechurchoftheresurrection.Theyhavetakenaway,indeed,thesculpturedcolumnswhichwereplacedasadecorationbeforethesepulchreoftheLord,andasamarkofvictory,andasa taunt to theChristians, theyhavesentthemtothesepulchreofthewickedMahomet.TheyhaveviolatedthetombsofthehappykingsofJerusaleminthesamechurch,andtheyhavescattered,tothehurtofChristendom, theashesof thoseholymento thewinds, irreverentlyprofaning therevered Mount Sion. The Temple of the Lord, the church of the Valley ofJehoshapliat,wheretheVirginliesburied,thechurchofBethlehem,andtheplaceofthe nativity of our Lord, they have polluted with enormities too horrible to berelated,farexceedingtheiniquityofall theSaracens,who,thoughtheyfrequentlyoccupied the landof theChristians,yet always reverencedandpreserved theholyplaces…”

They then describe the subsequent military operations, the march of theTemplarsandHospitallers,onthe4thofOctober,A.D.1244,fromAcretoCæsarea;the junction of their forces with those of the Moslem sultans; the retreat of theCarizmianstoGaza,wheretheyreceivedsuccourfromthesultanofEgypt;andthepreparationoftheHospitallersandTemplarsfortheattackbeforethatplace.

“Those holy warriors,” say they, “boldly rushed in upon the enemy, but theSaracenswhohadjoinedus,havinglostmanyoftheirmen,fled,andthewarriorsof the cross were left alone to withstand the united attack of the Egyptians andCarizmians. Like stout champions of the Lord, and true defenders of catholicity,whom the same faith and the same cross and passion make true brothers, theybravelyresisted;butastheywerefewinnumberincomparisonwiththeenemy,theyatlastsuccumbed,sothatoftheconventsofthehouseofthechivalryoftheTemple,and of the house of the Hospital of Saint John at Jerusalem, only thirty-three

Templarsandtwenty-sixHospitallersescaped;thearchbishopofTyre,thebishopofSaintGeorge,theabbotofSaintMaryofJehoshaphat,andtheMasteroftheTemple,with many other clerks and holy men, being slain in that sanguinary fight. Weourselves,havingbyoursinsprovokedthisdirecalamity,fledhalfdeadtoAscalon;from thence we proceeded by sea to Acre, and found that city and the adjoiningprovincefilledwithsorrowandmourning,miseryanddeath.Therewasnotahouseorafamilythathadnotlostaninmateorarelation.…

HERMANNDEPERIGORD.A.D.1244.

“TheCarizmians have now pitched their tents in the plain ofAcre, about twomilesfromthecity.Thewholecountry,asfarasNazarethandSaphet,isoverrunbythem, so that the churches of Jerusalem and the Christian kingdom have now noterritory, except a few fortifications,which are defendedwith great difficulty andlabourbytheTemplarsandHospitallers.…

“Toyou,dearestFathers,uponwhomtheburthenofthedefenceofthecauseofChristjustlyresteth,wehavecausedthesesadtidingstobecommunicated,earnestlybeseeching you to address your prayers to the throne of grace, imploringmercyfromtheMostHigh;thathewhoconsecratedtheHolyLandwithhisownbloodinredemptionofallmankind,maycompassionatelyturntowardsitanddefendit,andsenditsuccour.Doyeyourselves,dearestFathers,asfarasyeareable, takesagecounsel and speedily assist us, that yemay receive a heavenly reward.But know,assuredly, thatunless, throughthe interpositionof theMostHigh,orbytheaidofthefaithful,theHolyLandissuccouredinthenextspringpassagefromEurope,itsdoomissealed,andutterruinisinevitable.

“Sinceitwouldbetedioustoexplainbyletterallournecessities,wehavesenttoyouthevenerablefatherbishopofBeirout,andtheholymanArnulph,oftheOrderof Friars Preachers, who will faithfully and truly unfold the particulars to yourvenerablefraternity.Wehumblyentreatyouliberallytoreceiveandpatientlytohearthe aforesaidmessengers,who have exposed themselves to great dangers for thechurchofGod,bynavigatingtheseasinthedepthofwinter.GivenatAcre,thisfifthdayofNovember,intheyearofourLordonethousandtwelvehundredandforty-four.”*

HERMANNDEPERIGORD.A.D.1244.

The above letter was read before a general council of the church, which hadbeen assembled at Lyons by Pope Innocent IV., and it was resolved that a newcrusade should be preached. It was provided that those who assumed the crossshouldassembleatparticularplacestoreceivethePope’sblessing;thatthereshouldbeatruceforfouryearsbetweenallChristianprinces;thatduringallthattimethereshouldbenotournaments,feasts,norpublicrejoicings;thatallthefaithfulinChristshouldbeexhortedtocontribute,outoftheirfortunesandestates,tothedefenceof

theHolyLand;andthatecclesiasticsshouldpaytowardsit the tenth,andcardinalsthe twentieth, of all their revenues, for the term of three years successively. Theancient enthusiasm,however, in favourofdistant expeditions to theEast haddiedaway;theaddressesandexhortationsoftheclergynowfellonunwillingears,andthe Templars and Hospitallers received only some small assistance in men andmoney.

The temporary alliance between the Templars and the Mussulman sultans ofSyria, for the purpose of insuring their common safety, did not escapeanimadversion.TheemperorFredericktheSecond,thenominalkingofJerusalem,in a letter to Richard earl of Cornwall, the brother of Henry the Third, king ofEngland,accusestheTemplarsofmakingwaruponthesultanofEgypt,indefianceof a treaty entered into with that monarch, of compelling him to call in theCarizmians tohisassistance;andhecompares theunionof theTemplarswith theinfidelsultans,forpurposesofdefence,toanattempttoextinguishafirebypouringupon it a quantity of oil. “The proud religion of the Temple,” says he, incontinuation,“nurturedamidtheluxuriesofthebaronsoftheland,waxethwanton.Ithathbeenmademanifest tous,bycertain religiouspersons latelyarrived fromparts beyond sea, that the aforesaid sultans and their trains were received withpompousalacritywithinthegatesofthehousesoftheTemple,andthattheTemplarssufferedthemtoperformwithinthemtheirsuperstitiousritesandceremonies,withinvocation of Mahomet, and to indulge in secular delights.”† The Templars,notwithstanding theirdisasters, successfullydefendedall their strong fortresses inPalestine against the efforts of the Carizmians, and gradually recovered theirfootingintheHolyLand.ThegalleysoftheOrderkeptthecommandofthesea,andsuccourspeedilyarrivedtothemfromtheirwesternbrethren.AgeneralchapterofknightswasassembledinthePilgrim’sCastle,andtheveteranwarrior,brotherwaschosenGrandMasteroftheOrder.*Circularmandateswere,atthesametime,senttothewesternpreceptories,summoningallthebrethrentoPalestine,anddirectingthe immediate transmission of all the money in the different treasuries to theheadquarters of the Order at Acre. These calls appear to have been promptlyattendedto,andthePopepraisesboththeTemplarsandHospitallersforthezealandenergy displayed by them in sending out the newly-admitted knights and noviceswith armed bands and a large amount of treasure to the succour of the holyterritory.†Theagedknights,andthosewhosedutiesrenderedthemunabletoleavethewestern preceptories, implored the blessings of heaven upon the exertions oftheir brethren; they observed extraordinary fasts and mortification, and directedcontinual prayers to be offered up throughout the Order.‡ Whilst the proposedcrusadewasslowlyprogressing, theholypontiffwrote to thesultanofEgypt, theally of theCarizmians, proposing a peace or a truce, and received the followinggrandandmagnificentreplytohiscommunication:

*Matt.Par.p.631to633,adann.1244.“Huicscriptooriginali,quoderathujusexemplum,appensafueruntduodecimsigilla.

† Matt.Par.p.618—620.

WILLIAMDESONNAC.A.D.1246.

“To the Pope, the noble, the great, the spiritual, the affectionate, the holy, thethirteenthof the apostles, the leader of the sonsof baptism, thehighpriest of theChristians, (mayGodstrengthenhim,andestablishhim,andgivehimhappiness!)from themostpowerful sultan rulingover thenecksofnations;wielding the twogreatweapons, the swordand thepen;possessing twopre-eminent excellencies—thatistosay,learningandjudgment;kingoftwoseas;ruleroftheSouthandNorth;king of the region ofEgypt and Syria,Mesopotamia,Media, Idumea, andOphir;KingSalophBeelpheth,Jacob,sonofSultanCamel,HemevafarMehameth,sonofSultan Hadel, Robethre, son of Jacob, whose kingdommay the Lord God makehappy.

“INTHENAMEOFGODTHEMOSTMERCIFULANDCOMPASSIONATE.

WILLIAMDESONNAC.A.D.1247.

“ThelettersofthePope,thenoble,thegreat,&c.&c.…havebeenpresentedtous.MayGodfavourhimwhoearnestlyseekethafterrighteousnessanddoethgood,andwishethpeace andwalketh in thewaysof theLord.MayGodassist himwhoworshippeth him in truth. We have considered the aforesaid letters, and haveunderstoodthematterstreatedoftherein,whichhavepleasedanddelightedus;andthemessengersentbytheholyPopecametous,andwecausedhimtobebroughtbeforeuswithhonour,andlove,andreverence;andwebroughthimtoseeusfacetoface,andincliningourearstowardshim,welistenedtohisspeech,andwehaveput faith in the words he hath spoken unto us concerning Christ, uponwhom besalvationandpraise.ButweknowmoreconcerningthatsameChristthanyeknow,andwemagnifyhimmorethanyemagnifyhim.Andastowhatyousayconcerningyourdesireforpeace,tranquillity,andquiet,andthatyouwishtoputdownwar,soalsodowe;wedesireandwishnothingtothecontrary.ButletthePopeknow,thatbetween ourselves and the Emperor (Frederick) there hath beenmutual love, andalliance, andperfect concord, from the timeof the sultan,my father, (whommayGod preserve and place in the glory of his brightness;) and between you and theEmperorthereis,asyeknow,Btrifeandwarfare;whenceitisnotfitthatweshouldenterintoanytreatywiththeChristiansuntilwehavepreviouslyhadhisadviceandassent. We have therefore written to our envoy at the imperial court upon thepropositionsmadetousbythePope’smessenger,&c.…

*CottonMS.NeroE.VI.p.60,fol.466,virdiscretusetcircumspectus;innegotiisquoquebellicisperitus.† Hospitalarii et Templarii militea neophitos et manum armatam cum thesauro non modico illuc ad

consolationemetauxiliumibicommorantiumfestinantertransmiserunt.Epist.Pap.InnocentIV.8225;Matt.Par.p.697,698.

“This letterwaswrittenontheseventhof themonthMaharan.Praisebe to theoneonlyGod,andmayhisblessingrestuponourmasterMahomet.”*

Theyearfollowing,(A.D.1247),theCarizmianswereannihilated;theywerecutupindetailbytheTemplarsandHospitallers,andwereatlastslaintoaman.Theirverynameperishedfromthefaceoftheearth,butthetracesoftheirexistencewerelongpreservedintheruinanddesolationtheyhadspreadaroundthem.†TheHolyLand,althoughhappilyfreedfromthedestructivepresenceofthesebarbarians,hadyeteverythingtofearfromthepowerfulsultanofEgypt,withwhomhostilitiesstillcontinued;andBrotherWilliamdeSonnac,theGrandMasteroftheTemple,forthepurposeofstimulatingthelanguidenergiesoftheEnglishnation,andrevivingtheirholy zeal and enthusiasm in the cause of the Cross, despatched a distinguishedKnightTemplartoEngland,chargedwiththedutyofpresentingtoKingHenrytheThird amagnificent crystal vase, containing a portion of the blood of our LordJesusChrist,whichhadbeenpouredforthuponthesacredsoilofPalestinefortheremissionofthesinsofallthefaithful.

WILLIAMDESONNAC.A.D.1249.

A solemn attestation of the genuineness of this precious relic, signed by thepatriarchofJerusalem,andthebishops,theabbots,andthebaronsoftheHolyLand,wasforwardedtoLondonforthesatisfactionofthekingandhissubjects,andwasdeposited,togetherwiththevaseanditsinestimablecontents,inthecathedralchurchofSaintPaul.‡

In themonth of June,A.D. 1249, the galleys of theTemplars leftAcrewith astrongbodyofforcesonboard,andjoinedtheexpeditionundertakenbytheFrenchking, Louis IX., against Egypt. The following account of the capture ofDamiettawasforwardedtotheMasteroftheTempleatLondon.

“BrotherWilliamdeSonnac,bythegraceofGodMasterofthepoorchivalryofthe Temple, to his beloved brother in Christ, Robert de Sanford, Preceptor ofEngland,salvationintheLord.

*LiteræSoldaniBabyloniæadPapammissæ,aquodamCardinaliexArabicotranslatæ.—Matt.Par.p.711.†Ibid.p.733.‡Matt.Par.p.735.

“Wehastentounfoldtoyoubythesepresentsagreeableandhappyintelligence.”(HedetailsthelandingoftheFrench,thedefeatoftheinfidelswiththelossofoneChristiansoldier,andthesubsequentcaptureof thecity.)“Damietta, therefore,hasbeentaken,notbyourdeserts,norbythemightofourarmedbands,butthroughthedivine power and assistance.Moreover, be it known to you thatKingLouis,withGod’s favour, proposes to march upon Alexandria or Cairo for the purpose ofdeliveringourbrethrentheredetainedincaptivity,andofreducing,withGod’shelp,thewholelandtotheChristianworship.Farewell.”*

TheLorddeJoinville, the friendofKingLouis,andoneof thebravestof theFrenchcaptains,givesalivelyandmostinterestingaccountofthecampaign,andofthefamousexploitsoftheTemplars.DuringthemarchtowardsCairo,theyledthevanoftheChristianarmy,andononeoccasion,whenthekingofFrancehadgivenstrictordersthatnoattackshouldbemadeupontheinfidels,andthatanengagementshouldbeavoided,abodyofTurkishcavalryadvancedagainstthem.“OneoftheseTurks,” says Joinville, “gave aKnightTemplar in the first rank so heavy a blowwithhisbattle-axe,thatitfelledhimunderthefeetoftheLordReginalddeVichier ’shorse,whowasMarshalloftheTemple;theMarshall,seeinghismanfall,criedoutto his brethren, ‘At them in the name ofGod, for I cannot longer stand this.’Heinstantlystuckspursintohishorse,followedbyallhisbrethren,andastheirhorseswere fresh, not a Saracen escaped.” On another occasion, the Templarsmarchedforth at theheadof theChristian army, tomake trial of a ford across theTaniticbranchoftheNile.“Beforewesetout,”saysJoinville,“thekinghadorderedthattheTemplars should form the van, and the Count d’Artois, his brother, shouldcommand the second division after the Templars; but the moment the Compted’Artoishadpassedtheford,heandallhispeoplefellontheSaracens,andputtingthemtoflight,gallopedafterthem.TheTemplarssenttocall theCompted’Artoisback,andtotellhimthatitwashisdutytomarchbehindandnotbeforethem;butithappenedthattheCountd’ArtoiscouldnotmakeanyanswerbyreasonofmyLordFoucquault duMelle,who held the bridle of his horse, andmyLord Foucquault,whowasarightgoodknight,beingdeaf,heardnothingtheTemplarsweresayingtotheCountd’Artois,butkeptbawlingout, ‘Forward ! forward !’ (“Oraeulz!oraeulz!”)WhentheTemplarsperceivedthis,theythoughttheyshouldbedishonourediftheyallowedtheCountd’Artoisthustotakethelead;sotheyspurredtheirhorsesmoreandmore,andfasterandfaster,andchasedtheTurks,whofledbeforethem,through the townofMassoura, as far as theplains towardsBabylon; but on theirreturn, the Turks shot at them plenty of arrows, and attacked them in the narrowstreetsof the town.TheCountd’Artoisand theEarlofLeicesterwere thereslain,and as many as three hundred other knights. The Templars lost, as their chiefinformedme,fullfourteenscoremen-at-arms,andallhishorsemen.”*

*Ib.inadditamentis,p.168,169.

WILLIAMDESONNAC.A.D.1250.

TheGrandMasterof theTemplealso lostaneye,andcuthiswaythroughtheinfidelstothemainbodyoftheChristianarmy,accompaniedonlybytwoKnightsTemplars.†Thereheagainmixedin theaffray, took thecommandofavanguard,and is to be found fighting by the side of the Lord de Joinville at sunset. In hisaccount of the great battle fought on the first Friday in Lent, Joinville thuscommemoratesthegallantbearingoftheTemplars:

“The next battalion was under the command of Brother William de Sonnac,Masterof theTemple,whohadwithhim thesmall remnantof thebrethrenof theOrderwhosurvivedthebattleofShroveTuesday.TheMasteroftheTemplemadeoftheengineswhichwehadtakenfromtheSaracensasortoframpartinhisfront,butwhentheSaracensmarcheduptotheassault,theythrewGreekfireuponit,andastheTemplarshadpiledupmanyplanksoffirwoodamongsttheseengines,theycaught fire immediately; and the Saracens, perceiving that the brethren of theTemplewere few innumber,dashed through theburning timbers, andvigorouslyattacked them. In the preceding battle of Shrove Tuesday, Brother William, theMasterof theTemple, lostoneofhiseyes,and in thisbattle thesaid lord losthisothereye,andwasslain.Godhavemercyonhissoul!AndknowthatimmediatelybehindtheplacewherethebattalionoftheTemplarsstood,therewasagoodacreofground,socoveredwithdarts,arrows,andmissiles,thatyoucouldnotseetheearthbeneath them,suchshowersof thesehadbeendischargedagainst theTemplarsbytheSaracens!”‡

REGINALDDEVICHIER.A.D.1252.

TheGrandMaster,William de Sonnac,was succeeded by theMarshall of theTemple,BrotherReginalddeVichier.*KingLouis,afterhisreleasefromcaptivity,proceededtoPalestine,whereheremainedtwoyears.Herepairedthefortificationsof Jaffa and Cæsarea, and assisted the Templars in putting the country into adefensible state. The Lord de Joinville remained with him the whole time, andrelatessomecuriouseventsthattookplaceduringhisstay.ItappearsthatthescheikoftheassassinsstillcontinuedtopaytributetotheTemplars;andduringtheking’sresidence atAcre, the chief sent ambassadors tohim toobtain a remissionof thetribute. He gave them an audience, and declared that he would consider of theirproposal. “When they came again before the king,” says Joinville, “it was aboutvespers,andtheyfoundtheMasteroftheTempleononesideofhim,andtheMasteroftheHospitalontheother.Theambassadorsrefusedtorepeatwhattheyhadsaidinthemorning,buttheMastersoftheTempleandtheHospitalcommandedthemsotodo.ThentheMastersoftheTempleandHospitaltoldthemthattheirlordhadveryfoolishlyand impudentlysent suchamessage to thekingofFrance,andhad theynotbeeninvestedwiththecharacterofambassadors,theywouldhavethrownthemintothefilthyseaofAcre,andhavedrownedthemindespiteoftheirmaster.‘Andwecommandyou,’continuedthemasters,‘toreturntoyourlord,andtocomebackwithin fifteen days with such letters from your prince, that the king shall becontentedwithhimandwithyou.’”

*QuantlesTempliersvirent-ce,ilsepenserentqueilseroienthonnizseillessoientleCompted’Artoisalerdevanteulz;siferirentdesesperonsquiplusplus,etquimiexmiex,etchasserentlesTures.Hist.deSanLouisparJehanSiredeJoinville,p.47.

†Necevasitdetatâil’âgloriosàmilitianisiduoTemplarii.—Matt.Par.adann.1250.Chron.Nangis,p.790.

‡EtàcellebataillefrereGuillaumeleMestreduTempleperdil’undesyex,etl’autreavoitilperdulejourdequaresmpernant,etenfumortleditseigneur,queDieuxabsoille.—Joinville,p.58.

REGINALDDEVICHIER.A.D.1254.

Theambassadorsaccordinglydidastheywerebid,andbroughtbackfromtheirscheikashirt,thesymboloffriendship,andagreatvarietyofrichpresents,“crystalelephants,piecesofamber,withbordersofpuregold,”&c.&c.†“Youmustknowthat when the ambassadors opened the case containing all these fine things, thewholeapartmentwasinstantlyembalmedwiththeodouroftheirsweetperfumes.”

The Lord de Joinville accompanied the Templars in several marches andexpeditionsagainsttheinfideltribesonthefrontiersofPalestine,andwaspresentatthestormingofthefamouscastleofPanias,situatenearthesourceoftheJordan.

AttheperiodofthereturnofthekingofFrancetoEurope,(A.D.1254),HenrytheThird,kingofEngland,wasinGasconywithBrotherRobertdeSanford,MasteroftheTempleatLondon,whohadbeenpreviouslysentbytheEnglishmonarchintothat province to appease the troubles which had there broken out.‡ King Henryproceeded to theFrenchcapital, andwasmagnificentlyentertainedby theKnightsTemplarsattheTempleinParis,whichMatthewParistellsuswasofsuchimmenseextentthatitcouldcontainwithinitsprecinctsanumerousarmy.Thedayafterhisarrival,KingHenryorderedaninnumerablequantityofpoorpeopletoberegaledattheTemplewithmeat,fish,bread,andwine;andatalaterhourtheKingofFranceandallhisnoblescame todinewith theEnglishmonarch. “Never,” saysMatthewParis, “was there at any period in bygone times so noble and so celebrated anentertainment.TheyfeastedinthegreathalloftheTemple,wherehangtheshieldson every side, as many as they can place along the four walls, according to thecustomoftheOrderbeyondsea…”*TheKnightsTemplarsinthiscountrylikewiseexercised a magnificent hospitality, and constantly entertained kings, princes,nobles, prelates, and foreign ambassadors, at the Temple. Immediately after thereturnofKingHenrytoEngland,someillustriousambassadorsfromCastilecameon a visit to theTemple atLondon; and as the king “greatly delighted to honourthem,”hecommandedthreepipesofwinetobeplacedinthecellarsoftheTemplefortheiruse,†andtenfatbuckstobebroughtthematthesameplacefromtheroyalforestinEssex.‡He,moreover,commandedthemayorandsheriffsofLondon,andthecommonaltyofthesamecity,totakewiththemarespectableassemblageofthecitizens, and to go forth and meet the said ambassadors without the city, andcourteouslyreceivethem,andhonourthem,andconductthemtotheTemple.§

*Etsachezque ilavoitbienun journelde terredariere lesTempliers,quiestoit sichargédepylesque lesSarrazinsleuravoientlanciées,queiln’lparoitpointdeterrepourlagrantfoisondepyles.—Ib.

†Joinville,p.95,96.‡ActaRymeri,tom.i.p.474,adann.1252.

REGINALDDEVICHIER.A.D.1252.

The Grand Master, Reginald de Vichier, was succeeded by Brother ThomasBerard,**whowroteseveralletterstothekingofEngland,displayingthemiserableconditionoftheHolyLand,andearnestlyimploringsuccourandassistance.††TheEnglishmonarch, however,was too poor to assist him, being obliged to borrowmoneyuponhiscrownjewels,whichhesent totheTempleatParis.ThequeenofFrance,inaletter“toherverydearbrotherHenry,theillustriouskingofEngland,”gives a long list of goldenwands, golden combs, diamondbuckles, chaplets, andcirclets,goldencrowns,imperialbeavers,richgirdles,goldenpeacocks,andringsinnumerable, adorned with sapphires, rubies, emeralds, topazes, and carbuncles,whichshesaysshehadinspectedin thepresenceof the treasurerof theTempleatParis,andthatthesameweresafelydepositedinthecoffersoftheTemplars.*

THOMASBERARD.A.D.1256.

Themilitarypowerof theOrders of theTemple and theHospital inPalestinewasatlastcompletelybrokenbyBibars,orBenocdar,thefourthMamlooksultanofEgypt,who, from the humble station of a Tartar slave, had raised himself to thesovereigntyofthatcountry,andthroughhisvalourandmilitarytalentshadacquiredthetitleof“theConqueror.”HeinvadedPalestine(A.D.1262)at theheadof thirtythousand cavalry, and defeated the Templars and Hospitallers with immenseslaughter.† After several years of continuous warfare, during which the mosthorrible excesses were committed by both parties, all the strongholds of theChristians,withthesolitaryexceptionofthePilgrim’sCastleandthecityofAcre,fellintothehandsoftheinfidels.

*Matt.Par.adann.1254,p.899,900.†…MandatumestJohannideEynfort,camerarioregisLondon,quodsinedilationecapiatquatuordoliaboni

vini,etealiberetJohannideSuwerk,ponendaincellariaNoviTempliLondon,adopusnuntiorumipsorum.—ActaRymeri,tomi.p.5.57,adann.1255.

‡EtmandatumestRicardodeMuntfichet, custodi forestæRegisEssex, quod eadem forestâ sine dilationecapiatX.damos,eteosusqueadNovumTemplumLondoncariari faciat, liberandosprædictoJohanni,adopusprædictorumnuntiorum.—Ib.

§ActaRymeri,p.557,558.**MCCLVI. morut frère Renaut de VichieresMaistre du Temple. Apres lui fu fait Maistre frère Thomas

Berard.—Contin.hist,apudMartene,tom.v.col.736.††ActaRymeri,tom.i.p.698,699,700.

THOMASBERARD.A.D.1266.

THOMASBERARD.A.D.1268.

On the last day of April, (A.D. 1265), Benocdar stormed Arsuf, one of thestrongestof thecastlesof theHospitallers;heslewninetyof thegarrison,andledaway a thousand into captivity. The year following he stormed Castel Blanco, afortressoftheKnightsTemplars,andimmediatelyafter laidsiegetotheirfamousand important castle of Saphet. After an obstinate defence, the Preceptor, findinghimselfdestituteofprovisions,agreedtocapitulate,onconditionthatthesurviving

brethrenandtheirretainers,amountingtosixhundredmen,shouldbeconductedinsafety to the nearest fortress of theChristians.The termswere acceded to, but assoonasBenocdarhadobtainedpossessionofthecastle,heimposeduponthewholegarrison the severe alternative of theKoran or death. They chose the latter, and,accordingtotheChristianwriters,wereallslain.‡TheArabianhistorianSchafiIb’nAli Abbas, however, in his life of Bibars, or Benocdar, states that one of thegarrison named Effreez Lyoub, embraced the Mahommetan faith, and wascircumcised,andthatanotherwassenttoAcretoannouncethefalloftheplacetohisbrethren.Thiswriterattempts toexcuse the slaughterof the remainder,on theground that they had themselves first broken the terms of the capitulation, byattemptingtocarryawayarmsandtreasure.§“Bythedeathofsomanyknightsofbothorders,”saysPopeClementIV.,inoneofhisepistles,“thenoblecollegeoftheHospitallers,andtheillustriouschivalryoftheTemple,arealmostdestroyed,andIknownothowweshallbeable,afterthis,tofindgentlemenandpersonsofqualitysufficienttosupplytheplacesofsuchashaveperished.*TheyearafterthefallofSaphet, (A.D. 1267), Benocdar captured the cities of Homs, Belfort, Bagras, andSidon,whichbelongedtotheOrderoftheTemple;themaritimetownsofLaodicea,Gabala,Tripoli,Beirout,andJaffa,successivelyfell intohishands,andthefallofthe princely city ofAntiochwas signalized by the slaughter of seventeen and thecaptivity of one hundred thousand of her inhabitants.†The utter ruin of theLatinkingdom,however,wasavertedbythetimelyassistancebroughtbyEdwardPrinceofWales,sonofHenrytheSecond,kingofEngland,whoappearedatAcrewithafleetandanarmy.TheinfidelswereoncemoredefeatedanddrivenbackintoEgypt,anda truce for tenyearsbetween the sultanand theChristianswasagreedupon.‡PrinceEdwardthenpreparedforhisdeparture,but,beforeencounteringtheperilsoftheseaonhisreturnhome,hemadehiswill;itisdatedatAcre,June18th,A.D.1272, and Brother Thomas Berard, Grand Master of the Temple, appears as anattestingwitness.§WhilsttheprincewaspursuinghisvoyagetoEngland,hisfather,the king of England, died, and the council of the realm, composed of thearchbishopsofCanterburyandYork,and thebishopsandbaronsof thekingdom,assembledintheTempleatLondon,andsworeallegiancetotheprince.TheytherecausedhimtobeproclaimedkingofEngland,and,with theconsentof thequeen-mother, they appointed Walter Giffard, archbishop of York, and the earls ofCornwall and Gloucester, guardians of the realm. Letters were written from theTempletoacquainttheyoungsovereignwiththedeathofhisfather,andmanyoftheactsofthenewgovernmentemanatedfromthesameplace.**

*ActaRymeri,tom.i.p.730,878,879,adann.1261.†Furentmorsetpris,etperdirentlesTemplierstotlorhernois,etlecommandeorduTemplefrèreMatthieule

Sauvage.—Contin.hist.bell.sacr.utsup.col.737.MarinSanut,cap.6.‡ MarinSanutTorsell,lib.iii.pars12,cap.6,7,8.Contin.hist.bell.sacr.apudMartene,tom.v.col.742.See

alsoAbulfed.Hist.Arab.ApudWilkens,p.223.DeGuignes,Hist.desHuns,tom.iv.p.141.

§Michaud,ExtraitesArabes,p.668.

KingHenrytheThirdwasagreatbenefactortotheTemplars.Hegrantedthemthemanors of Lilleston,Hechewayton, Saunford, Sutton,Dartfeld, andHalgel, inKent;severallands,andchurchesandannualfairsatBaldok,Walnesford,Wetherby,andotherplaces,andvariousweeklymarkets.††

WILLIAMDEBEAUJEU.A.D.1273.

The Grand Master, Thomas Berard, was succeeded by Brother William deBeaujeu,*who came toEngland for thepurposeof obtaining succour, and calledtogetherageneralchapteroftheOrderatLondon.WhilstresidentattheTempleinthatcity,he receivedpaymentofa largesumofmoneywhichEdward, theyoungking,hadborrowedoftheTemplarsduringhisresidenceinPalestine.†TheGrandMaster of the Hospital also came to Europe, and every exertion was made tostimulatethelanguidenergiesofthewesternChristians,andrevivetheirholyzealinthecauseoftheCross.AgeneralcouncilofthechurchwasopenedatLyonsbythePopeinperson;thetwoGrandMasterswerepresent,andtookprecedenceofallthe ambassadors and peers at that famous assembly. Itwas determined that a newcrusadeshouldbepreached,thatallecclesiasticaldignitiesandbeneficesshouldbetaxed to support an armament, and that the sovereigns of Europe should becompelled by ecclesiastical censures to suspend their private quarrels, and affordsuccourtothedesolatecityofJerusalem.ThePope,whohadbeenhimselfresidentin Palestine, took a strong personal interest in the promotion of the crusade, andinducedmanynobles,princes,andknightstoassumetheCross;buttheholypontiffdied in the midst of his exertions, and with him expired all hope of effectualassistancefromEurope.Avastchangehadcomeoverthespiritoftheage;thefieryenthusiasm of the holy war had expended itself, and the Grand Masters of theTempleandHospitalreturnedwithoutsuccour,insorrowanddisappointment,totheEast.

*DeVertot,liv.iii.Preuve.xiii.Seealsoepist.Ccccii.ApudMartenethesaur.anec.Tom.ii.col.422.†Facta est civitas tam famosaquaasi solitudedeserti.—MartinSanut, lib. iii. pars. 12, cap. 9.DeGuignes,

Hist, desHuns, tom. iv. p. 143.Contin.Hist. apudMartene, tom. v. col. 743.Abulpharag. Chron. Syr. p. 546.Michaud,ExtraitsArabes,p.681.

†MarinSanututsup.cap.II,12.Contin.Hist,apudMartene,col.745,746.§ En testimoniaunce de la queu chose, a ceo testament avons fet mettre nostre sel, et avoms pries les

honurablesBen frereHue,Mestre de l’Hospital, et frere ThomasBerard,Mestre duTemple, ke a cest escritmeisentausilurseus,etc.ActaRymeri,tom.i.p.885,886,adann.1272.

**Trivetadann.1272.Walsingham,p.43.ActaRymeri,tom.i.p.889,adann.1272,tom,ii.p.2.††Monast.Angl.,vol.vi.part2,p.800—844.

WILLIAMDEBEAUJEU.A.D.1275.

WilliamdeBeaujeuarrivedattheTempleofAcreonSaintMichael’sDay,A.D.1275,andimmediatelyassumedthegovernmentofPalestine.‡Astherewasnowno

hope of recovering the lost city of Jerusalem, he bent all his energies to thepreservationofthefewremainingpossessionsoftheChristiansintheHolyLand.Attheexpirationofthetenyears’truceheenteredintoafurthertreatywiththeinfidels,called “the peace of Tortosa.” It is expressed to be made between sultanMalek-MansourandhissonMalek-SalehAli,“honouroftheworldandofreligion,”oftheonepart,andAfryzDybadjouk(WilliamdeBeaujeu)GrandMasteroftheOrderoftheTemplars,oftheotherpart.Thetruceisfurtherprolongedfortenyearsandtenmonthsfromthedateoftheexecutionofthetreaty,(A.D.1282);andthecontractingparties strictlybind themselves tomakeno irruptions into eachother ’s territoriesduringtheperiod.Topreventmistakes,thetowns,villages,andterritorybelongingtotheChristiansinPalestinearespecifiedanddefined,togetherwiththecontiguouspossessions of theMoslems.*This treaty, however,was speedily broken, thewarwas renewed with various success, and another treaty was concluded, which wasagainviolatedbyanunpardonableoutrage.SomeEuropeanadventurers,whohadarrivedatAcre,plunderedandhungnineteenEgyptianmerchants,andthesultanofEgyptimmediatelyresumedhostilities,withtheavoweddeterminationofcrushingforeverChristianpowerintheEast.ThefortressofMargatwasbesiegedandtaken;the city of Tripoli shared the same fate; and in the third year from the re-commencement of the war, the Christian dominions in Palestine were reducedwithinthenarrowconfinesofthestrongcityofAcreandthePilgrim’sCastle.Inthespringoftheyear1291,thesultanKhalilmarchedagainstAcreattheheadofsixtythousandhorseandahundredandfortythousandfoot.

*MCCLXXIII.aviii.Jorsd’AvrimorutfrereThomasBerart,MaistreduTemplelejordelanotredamedeMars,etfufaitMaistreaxiii.jorsdeMay,frereGuillaumedeBieaujcuquiestoitoutréCommendeorduTempleenPouille,etalerentporluiquerirefrereGuillaumedePoucon,quiavaittenulieudeMaistre,etfrereBertranddeFox;etfrereGonfierefufaitCommandeorgran tenant lieudeMaistre.––Contin.Hist.apudMartene, tom.v.col.746,747.ThisistheearliestinstanceIhavemetwithoftheapplicationofthetermCOMMANDER tothehighofficersoftheTemple.

†ActaRymeri,tom.ii.p.34,adann.1274.‡Contin.hist.bell.sacr.apudMartene,tom.v.col.748.

WILLIAMDEBEAUJEU.A.D.1291

“An innumerablepeopleof allnations andevery tongue,” saysa chronicleofthetimes,“thirstingforChristianblood,wereassembledtogetherfromthedesertsoftheEastandtheSouth;theearthtrembledbeneaththeirfootsteps,andtheairwasrentwith the soundof their trumpets andcymbals.The sun’s rays, reflected fromtheirshields,gleamedonthedistantmountains,andthepointsoftheirspearsshoneliketheinnumerablestarsofheaven.Whenonthemarch,theirlancespresentedtheappearanceofavastforestrisingfromtheearth,andcoveringallthelandscape.”…“Theywandered round about the walls, spying out their weaknesses and defects;somebarkedlikedogs,someroaredlikelions,somelowedandbellowedlikeoxen,somestruckdrumswith twisted sticksafter their fashion, some threwdarts, some

caststones,someshotarrowsandboltsfromcross-bows.ӠOnthe5thofApril,theplacewasregularlyinvested.Norationalhopeofsavingitcouldbeentertained;theseawasopen;theharbourwasfilledwithChristianvessels,andwiththegalleysoftheTempleandtheHospital;yetthetwogreatmonasticandmilitaryordersscornedtoretiretotheneighbouringandfriendlyislandofCyprus;theyrefusedtodesert,eveninitslastextremity,thatcausewhichtheyhadsworntomaintainwiththelastdrop of their blood. For a hundred and seventy years their swords had beenconstantly employed in defending the Holy Land from the profane tread of theunbelieving Moslem; the sacred territory of Palestine had been everywheremoistenedwith the blood of the best and bravest of their knights, and, faithful totheirvowsandtheirchivalrousengagements,theynowpreparedtoburythemselvesintheruinsofthelaststrongholdoftheChristianfaith.

WILLIAMDEBEAUJEU.A.D.1291.

William deBeaujeu, theGrandMaster of the Temple, a veteranwarrior of ahundredfights,tookthecommandofthegarrison,whichamountedtoabouttwelvethousandmen,exclusiveoftheforcesoftheTempleandtheHospital,andabodyoffivehundredfootandtwohundredhorse,underthecommandofthekingofCyprus.These forcesweredistributedalong thewalls in fourdivisions, the firstofwhichwascommandedbyHughdeGrandison,anEnglishknight.Theoldandthefeeble,womenandchildren,weresentawaybyseatotheChristianislandofCyprus,andnone remained in the devoted city but those who were prepared to fight in itsdefence, or to suffermartyrdom at the hands of the infidels. The siege lasted sixweeks,duringthewholeofwhichperiodthesalliesandtheattackswereincessant.Neither by night nor by day did the shouts of the assailants and the noise of themilitary engines cease; thewallswere battered fromwithout, and the foundationswere sapped by miners, who were incessantly labouring to advance their works.Morethansixhundredcatapults,balistæ,andotherinstrumentsofdestruction,weredirectedagainstthefortifications;andthebatteringmachineswereofsuchimmensesize and weight, that a hundred wagons were required to transport the separatetimbersofoneof them.*Moveable towerswereerectedby theMoslems,soas toovertopthewalls;theirworkmenandA.D.1291.advancedpartieswereprotectedbyhurdlescoveredwithrawhides,andallthemilitarycontrivanceswhichtheartandtheskilloftheagecouldproduce,wereusedtofacilitatetheassault.Foralongtimetheirutmosteffortswere foiledby thevalourof thebesieged,whomadeconstantsallies upon their works, burnt their towers and machines, and destroyed theirminers. Day by day, however, the numbers of the garrison were thinned by thesword,whilst intheenemy’scamptheplacesof thedeadwereconstantlysuppliedby fresh warriors from the deserts of Arabia, animated with the same wildfanaticisminthecauseoftheirreligionasthatwhichsoeminentlydistinguishedthemilitary monks of the Temple. On the fourth of May, after thirty-three days of

constantfighting,thegreattower,consideredthekeyofthefortifications,andcalledby theMoslems the cursed tower, was thrown down by the military engines. Toincrease the terror and distraction of the besieged, sultan Khalil mounted threehundreddrummers,withtheirdrums,uponasmanydromedaries,andcommandedthem tomakeasmuchnoise aspossiblewhenever ageneral assaultwasordered.Fromthe4thtothe14thofMay,theattackswereincessant.Onthe15th,thedoublewall was forced, and the king of Cyprus, panic-stricken, fled in the night to hisships,andmadesailfortheislandofCyprus,withallhisfollowers,andwithnearthreethousandofthebestmenofthegarrison.OnthemorrowtheSaracensattackedtheposthehaddeserted; they filledup theditchwith thebodiesofdeadmenandhorses, piles of wood, stones, and earth, and their trumpets then sounded to theassault. Ranged under the yellow banner of Mahomet, the Mamlooks forced thebreach, and penetrated sword in hand to the very centre of the city; but theirvictoriouscareerandinsultingshoutsweretherestoppedbythemail-cladKnightsof the Temple and the Hospital, who charged on horseback through the narrowstreets, drove them backwith immense carnage, and precipitated them head-longfromthewalls.

*LifeofMalekMuusourKelaoun.Michaud,ExtruitsArabes,p.685,686,687.†DeexcidiourbisAconisapudMartenevet.script,tom.v.col.767.*ThefamousAbul-feda,princeofHamah,surnamedAmod-ed-deen,(PillarofReligion),thegreathistorian

andastronomer,superintendedthetransportationofthemilitaryenginesfromHasn-el-AkrahtoSt.Jeand’Aere.

Atsunrisethefollowingmorningtheairresoundedwiththedeafeningnoiseofdrums and trumpets, and the breachwas carried and recovered several times, themilitaryfriarsatlastclosingupthepassagewiththeirbodies,andpresentingawallof steel to the advance of the enemy. Loud appeals to God and to Mahomet, toheaven and the saints, were to be heard on all sides; and after an obstinateengagement from sunrise to sunset, darkness put an end to the slaughter. On thethirdday,(the18th),theinfidelsmadethefinalassaultonthesidenextthegateofSt.Anthony.TheGrandMastersoftheTempleandtheHospitalfoughtsidebysideattheheadof theirknights,andfora timesuccessfullyresistedall theeffortsof theenemy.TheyengagedhandtohandwiththeMamlooks,andpressedlikethemeanestof thesoldiers into the thickof thebattle.Butaseachknight fellbeneath thekeenscimitarsoftheMoslems,therewerenoneinreservetosupplyhisplace,whilstthevasthordesof the infidelspressedonwithuntiringenergyandperseverance.TheMarshalloftheHospitalfellcoveredwithwounds,andWilliamdeBeaujeu,asalastresort,requestedtheGrandMasterofthatordertosallyoutofanadjoininggatewayattheheadoffivehundredhorse,andattacktheenemy’srear.ImmediatelyaftertheGrandMasteroftheTemplehadgiventheseorders,hewashimselfstruckdownbythedartsandthearrowsoftheenemy;thepanic-strickengarrisonfledtotheport,and the infidels rushed on with tremendous shouts of Allah acbar! Allah acbar!

(“God is victorious!”) Three hundred Templars, the sole survivors of theirillustrious order in Acre, were now left alone to withstand the shock of thevictorious Mamlooks. In a close and compact column they fought their way,accompanied by several hundred Christian fugitives, to the Temple, and shuttingtheirgates,theyagainbadedefiancetotheadvancingfoe.

GAUDINI.A.D.1291.

Thesurvivingknightsnowassembledtogetherinsolemnchapter,andappointedthe Knight Templar Brother Gaudini GrandMaster.* The Temple at Acre was aplaceofgreat strength,andsurroundedbywallsand towersof immenseextent. Itwasdividedintothreequarters,thefirstandprincipalofwhichcontainedthepalaceoftheGrandMaster,thechurch,andthehabitationoftheknights;thesecond,calledtheBourgoftheTemple,containedthecellsoftheservingbrethren;andthethird,called the Cattle Market, was devoted to the officers charged with the duty ofprocuringthenecessarysuppliesfortheOrderanditsforces.

ThefollowingmorningveryfavourabletermswereofferedtotheTemplarsbythe victorious sultan, and they agreed to evacuate the Temple on condition that agalleyshouldbeplacedattheirdisposal,andthattheyshouldbeallowedtoretireinsafetywiththeChristianfugitivesundertheirprotection,andtocarryawayasmuchoftheireffectsaseachpersoncouldloadhimselfwith.TheMussulmanconquerorpledged himself to the fulfilment of these conditions, and sent a standard to theTemplars,whichwasmountedononeofthetowersoftheTemple.Aguardofthreehundred Moslem soldiers, charged to see the articles of capitulation properlycarried intoeffect,wasafterwardsadmittedwithin thewallsof theconvent.SomeChristian women of Acre, who had refused to quit their fathers, brothers, andhusbands, the brave defenders of the place, were amongst the fugitives, and theMoslemsoldiers,attractedbytheirbeauty,brokethroughallrestraint,andviolatedthetermsofthesurrender.TheenragedTemplarsclosedandbarricadedthegatesoftheTemple;theysetuponthetreacherousinfidels,andputeveryoneofthem,“fromthegreatesttothesmallest,”todeath.*ImmediatelyafterthismassacretheMoslemtrumpetssoundedtotheassault,buttheTemplarssuccessfullydefendedthemselvesuntilthenextday(the20th).TheMarshalloftheOrderandseveralofthebrethrenwerethendeputedbyGaudiniwithaflagoftrucetothesultan,toexplainthecauseof themassacreofhisguard.Theenragedmonarch,however,hadno soonergotthem into his power than he ordered every one of them to be decapitated, andpressedthesiegewithrenewedvigour.Inthenight,Gaudini,withachosenbandofhiscompanions,collectedtogether thetreasureof theOrderandtheornamentsofthechurch,andsallyingoutofasecretposternoftheTemplewhichcommunicatedwith the harbour, they got on board a small vessel, and escaped in safety to theislandofCyprus.†Theresidueof theTemplarsretiredinto the largetowerof theTemple, called “The Tower of the Master,” which they defended with desperate

energy.ThebravestoftheMamlooksweredrivenbackinrepeatedassaults,andthelittlefortresswaseverywheresurroundedwithheapsoftheslain.Thesultan,atlast,despairing of taking the place by assault, ordered it to be undermined. As theworkmenadvanced, theypropped the foundationswithbeamsofwood, andwhentheexcavationwascompleted, thesewoodensupportswereconsumedby fire; thehugetowerthenfellwithatremendouscrash,andburiedthebraveTemplarsinitsruins.Thesultanset fire to the town in fourplaces,and the last strongholdof theChristian power in Palestinewas speedily reduced to a smoking solitude.*A fewyearsbacktheruinsoftheChristiancityofAcrewerewellworthyoftheattentionofthecurious.Youmightstilltracetheremainsofseveralchurches;andthequarteroccupiedbytheKnightsTemplarscontinuedtopresentmanyinterestingmemorialsofthatproudandpowerfulorder.

*ExipsisfratremmonachumGaudinielegeruntministrumgeneralem.DeexcidiourbisAcconiaapudMartene,tom.v.col782.

*VidentespulchrosFrancorumfiliosacfilias,manushisinjecerunt.––Abulfarag,Chron.Syr.p.595.MaledictiSaracenimulieresetpuerosadlocadomussecretioraexeisdemabusuridistrahereconabantur,turpibusecclesiamobscœnitatibus cum nihil possent aliud maculantes. Quod videntes christiani, clauses portis, in perfidos viriliterirruerunt, et omnes a minimo usque ad maximum occiderunt, muros, turres, atque portas Templi munientes addefensam.––Deexcid.Acconisutsup.col.782.MartinSanututsup.cap.xxii.P.231.

† Per totam noctem illam, dum fideles vigilarent contra perfidorum astutiam, domum contra eos defensuri,fratrum adjustorio de thesauris quod potuit cun sacrosanctis reliquiis ecclesiæ Templi, ad mare salubriterdeportavit.Indequidemcumfratribuspaucisauspicatoremigio,inCyprumcumcautelâtransfretavit.––Deexcid.Acconis,col.782.

*De excidio urbisAcconis apudMartene, tom. v. col. 757.DeGuignes, Hist, ties Huna, tom. iv. p. 162.Michaud,ExtraitsArabes,p.762,808.Abulfarag.Chron.Syr.p.595.Wilkens,Comment.Abulfed.Hist.p.231—234.Marin.SanutTorsell,lib.iii.pars12,cap.21.

CHAPTERIX.The downfall of theTemplars—The cause thereof—TheGrandMaster comes to Europe at the request of the

Pope—He is imprisoned,withall theTemplars inFrance,bycommandofKingPhilip—Theyareput to thetorture, and confessions of the guilt of heresy and idolatry are extracted from them—Edward II. king ofEnglandstandsupindefenceof theTemplars,butafterwardspersecutes themat theinstanceof thePope—The imprisonment of the Master of the Temple and all his brethren in England—Their examination uponeighty-sevenhorribleandridiculousarticlesofaccusationbeforeforeigninquisitorsappointedbythePope—AcouncilofthechurchassemblesatLondontopasssentenceuponthem—ThecuriousevidenceadducedastothemodeofadmissionintotheOrder,andofthecustomsandobservancesofthefraternity.

Encelanqu’aidistorendroit,Etnesaitatortouadroit,FurentliTempliers,sansdoutance,TousprisparleroyaumedeFrance.Aumoisd’Octobre,aupointdujor,Etunvendredifulejor.

Chron.MS.

JAMESDEMOLAYA.D.1297.

IT now only remains for us to describe the miserable fate of the survivingbrethrenoftheOrderoftheTemple,andtotelloftheingratitudetheyencounteredfrom their fellowChristians in theWest. Shortly after the fall ofAcre, a generalchapterofthefraternitywascalledtogether,andJamesdeMolay,thePreceptorofEngland,waschosenGrandMaster.*Heattemptedoncemore(A.D.1302)toplantthebannersoftheTempleuponthesacredsoilofPalestine,butwasdefeatedbythesultan of Egypt with the loss of a hundred and twenty of his brethren.* Thisdisastrousexpeditionwasspeedilyfollowedbythedownfallofthefraternity.Manycircumstancescontributedtothismemorableevent.

*Raynald,tom.xiv.adann.1298.CottonMS.NeroE.vi.p.60.fol.466.

JAMESDEMOLAYA.D.1302.

With the loss of all the Christian territory in Palestine had expired inChristendom every serious hope and expectation of recovering and retaining theHolyCity.TheservicesoftheTemplarswereconsequentlynolongerrequired,andmenbegantoregardwithaneyeofenvyandofcovetousnesstheirvastwealthandimmensepossessions.Theprivilegesconcededtothefraternitybythepopesmadethe church their enemy.The great body of the clergy regardedwith jealousy andindignation theirexemption from theordinaryecclesiastical jurisdiction.Thebullomnedatumoptimumwasconsideredagreatinroadupontherightsofthechurch,andbroke theunionwhichhadoriginally subsistedbetween theTemplars and theecclesiastics.Their exemption from tithewasa sourceofconsiderable loss to theparsons, and the privilege they possessed of celebrating divine service duringinterdictbroughtabundanceofofferingsandalmstothepriestsandchaplainsoftheOrder, which the clergy looked upon as so many robberies committed uponthemselves.Disputes arose between the fraternity and the bishops andpriests, and

thehostilityof the latter to theOrderwasmanifested in repeatedactsof injustice,whichdrewforthmanyseverebullsandindignantanimadversionsfromtheRomanpontiffs.PopeAlexander, inabull fulminatedagainst theclergy, tells them that iftheywouldcarefullyreflectuponthecontestswhichhisbelovedsons,thebrethrenofthechivalryoftheTemple,continuallymaintainedinPalestineforthedefenceofChristianity, and their kindness to the poor, they would not only cease fromannoying and injuring them, butwould strictly restrain others from so doing.Heexpresseshimself tobegrievedandastonishedtohear thatmanyecclesiasticshadvexed themwithgrievous injuries,had treatedhis apostolic letterswithcontempt,and had refused to read them in their churches; that they had subtracted thecustomary alms and oblations from the fraternity, and had admitted aggressorsagainst the property of the brethren to their familiar friendship, insufferablyendeavouringtopressdownanddiscouragethosewhomtheyoughtassiduouslytouphold.Fromotherbullsitappearsthattheclergyinterferedwiththerightenjoyedby the fraternity of collecting alms; that they refused to bury the brethren of theOrderwhendeceasedwithoutbeingpaidforit,andarrogantlyclaimedarighttobeentertained with sumptuous hospitality in the houses of the Temple. For thesedelinquencies, thebishops,archdeacons,priests,andthewholebodyoftheclergy,arethreatenedwithseveremeasuresbytheRomanpontiff.†

*MarinSanutTorsell.lib.iii.pars.13,cap.x.p.242.DeGuignes,HistdesHuns,tom.iv.p.184.†ActaRymeritom.i.p.575,576—579,582,tom.ii.p.250.Martene,vet.script,tom.vii.col.156.

TheTemplars,moreover, towards thecloseof theircareer,becameunpopularwith theEuropean sovereigns and their nobles. The revenues of the formerweresomewhat diminished through the immunities conceded to the Templars by theirpredecessors,andthepaternalestatesofthelatterhadbeendiminishedbythegrantofmanythousandmanors,lordships,andfairestatestotheOrderbytheirpiousandenthusiastic ancestors. Considerable dislike also began to be manifested to theannual transmissionof largesumsofmoney, the revenuesof theOrder, from theEuropeanstatestobeexpendedinadistantwarfareinwhichChristendomnowtookcomparatively no interest. Shortly after the fall of Acre, and the total loss ofPalestine,EdwardtheFirst,kingofEngland,seizedandsequesteredtohisownusethe monies which had been accumulated by the Templars, to forward to theirbrethreninCyprus,allegingthatthepropertyoftheOrderoftheTemplehadbeengranted to itby thekingsofEngland,hispredecessors,and their subjects, for thedefence of theHoly Land, and that since the loss thereof, no better use could bemadeof themoneythanbyappropriatingit to themaintenanceof thepoor.At theearnestrequestofthepopehowever,thekingafterwardspermittedtheirrevenuestobe transmitted to themin the islandofCyprus in theusualmanner.*KingEdwardhad previously manifested a strong desire to lay hands on the property of the

Templars. On his return from his victorious campaign inWales, finding himselfunable todisburse the arrearsofpaydue tohis soldiers,hewentwithSirRobertWaleranandsomearmedfollowerstotheTemple,andcallingforthetreasurer,hepretendedthathewantedtoseehismother ’sjewels,whichweretherekept.Havingbeen admitted into the house, he deliberately broke open the coffers of theTemplars,andcarriedawaytenthousandpoundswithhimtoWindsorCastle.†Hisson,EdwardtheSecond,onhisaccessiontothethrone,committedasimilaractofinjustice.Hewentwithhisfavourite,PiersGavaston,totheTemple,andtookawaywith him fifty thousand pounds of silver, with a quantity of gold, jewels, andpreciousstones,belongingtothebishopofChester.‡Theimpunitywithwhichtheseacts of violence were committed, manifests that the Templars then no longerenjoyedthepowerandrespectwhichtheypossessedinancienttimes.

Astheenthusiasm,too,infavouroftheholywardiminished,largenumbersofthe Templars remained at home in theirwestern preceptories, and took an activepart inthepoliticsofEurope.TheyinterferedinthequarrelsofChristianprinces,and even drew their swords against their fellow-Christians. Thus we find themembers of the Order taking part in the war between the houses of Anjou andAragon,andaidingthekingofEnglandinhiswarfareagainstthekingofScotland.InthebattleofFalkirk,foughtonthe22ndofJuly,A.D.1298,sevenyearsafterthefallofAcre,perishedboththeMasteroftheTempleatLondon,andhisvicegerentthe Preceptor of Scotland.*All these circumstances, togetherwith the loss of theHoly Land, and the extinction of the enthusiasm of the crusades, diminished thepopularityoftheTemplarsinEurope.

*ActaRymeri,tom.ii.p.683.adann.1295.†Chron.Dunmow.AnnalsofSt.Augutin.Rapin.‡ IpseyeroRexetPetras thesaurumipsiusepiscopi,apudNovumTemplumLondoniisreconditum,ceperunt,

adsummamquinquagintamillialibrarumargenti,præteraurummultum,jocaliaetlapidespreciosos.…Erantenimambopræsentes,cumcistæfrangerentur,etadhucnoneratsepultumcorpuspatrissui.—Hemingford,p.244.

JAMESDEMOLAY.A.D.1306.

AttheperiodofthefallofAcre,PhiliptheFair,sonofSt.Louis,occupiedthethrone of France.Hewas a needy and avariciousmonarch,† and had at differentperiodsresortedtothemostviolentexpedientstoreplenishhisexhaustedexchequer.OnthedeathofPopeBenedictXI.,(A.D.1304),hesucceeded,throughtheintriguesoftheFrenchCardinalDupre,inraisingthearchbishopofBourdeaux,acreatureofhisown,tothepontificalchair.ThenewpoperemovedtheHolySeefromRometoFrance;hesummonedall thecardinals toLyons,andwas thereconsecrated, (A.D.1305),bythenameofClementV.,inthepresenceofKingPhilipandhisnobles.OfthetennewcardinalsthencreatedninewereFrenchmen,andinallhisactsthenewpopemanifestedhimselftheobedientslaveoftheFrenchmonarch.Thecharacterofthis pontiff has been painted by the a woe ecclesiastical historians in the darkest

colours: they represent him as wedded to pleasure, eaten up with ambition, andgreedy for money; they accuse him of indulging in a criminal intrigue with thebeautifulcountessofPerigord,andoftraffickinginholythings.‡

JAMESDEMOLAY.A.D.1307.

On the 6th of June, A.D. 1306, a few months after his coronation, this newFrench pontiff addressed letters from Bourdeaux to the Grand Masters of theTempleandHospital,expressinghisearnestdesire toconsult themwith regard tothemeasuresnecessarytobetakenfortherecoveryoftheHolyLand.Hetellsthemthat they are the persons best qualified to give advice upon the subject, and toconduct andmanage the enterprize,both from theirgreatmilitary experience andtheinterest theyhadinthesuccessof theexpedition.“Weorderyou,”sayshe,“tocomehitherwithoutdelay,withasmuchsecrecyaspossible,andwithavery littleretinue,sinceyouwillfindonthissidetheseaasufficientnumberofyourknightsto attend upon you.”§ The Grand Master of the Hospital declined obeying thissummons; but the Grand Master of the Temple forthwith accepted it, andunhesitatinglyplacedhimself in thepowerof thepopeand thekingofFrance.HelandedinFrance,attendedbysixtyofhisknights,atthecommencementoftheyear1307,anddepositedthetreasureoftheOrderwhichhehadbroughtwithhimfromCyprus, in theTemple at Paris.Hewas receivedwith distinction by the king, andthen took his departure for Poictiers to have an interviewwith the pope. Hewasthere detained with various conferences and negotiations relative to a pretendedexpeditionfortherecoveryoftheHolyLand.

*Chron.Triveti,adann.1298.Hemingford,vol.i.p.159.†DantestyleshimilmaldiFrancia,Del.Purgat.cant.20,91.‡QuestoPapafuehuomomoltocupidodimoneta,efuelusurioso,sidiceacheteneaperamicalacontessadi

Paragordo, bellissima donna ! !Villani, lib. ix. Cap. 58. Fuit nimis cupiditatibus deditus…Sanct.Ant. Flor.DeConcil.Vien.Tit.21.sec.3.Circathesauruscolligendosinsudavit,saysKnightonapudXscript.col.2494.Fleuri,1.92.p.239.Chron.deNamgis,adann.1305.

§Rainald.Tom.xv.adann.1306,n.12.Fleuri,Hist.Eccles.Tom.xix.p.111.

Among other things, the pope proposed an union between the Templars andHospitallers,andtheGrandMasterhandedinhisobjectionstotheproposition.Hesays, that after the fall ofAcre, the people of Italy andof otherChristian nationsclamoured loudly against Pope Nicholas, for having afforded no succour to thebesieged,andthathe,bywayofscreeninghimself,hadlaidalltheblameofthelossof theplaceonpretendeddissensionsbetween theTemplars andHospitallers, andprojectedanunionbetweenthem.TheGrandMasterdeclaresthattherehadbeennodissensions between the Orders prejudicial to the Christian cause; that there wasnothingmorethanaspiritofrivalryandemulation,thedestructionofwhichwouldbehighly injurious to theChristians, andadvantageous to theSaracens; for if theHospitallersatanytimeperformedabrilliantfeatofarmsagainst theinfidels, the

Templars would never rest quiet until they had done the same or better, and econverso.Soalso if theTemplarsmadeagreat shipmentofbrethren,horses, andother beasts across sea to Palestine, theHospitallerswould always do the like ormore.Heatthesametimepositivelydeclares,thatamemberofoneorderhadneverbeen known to raise his hand against amember of the other.*TheGrandMastercomplainsthatthereverenceandrespectoftheChristiannationsforbothordershadundeservedlydiminished,thateverythingwaschanged,andthatmostpersonswerethenmore ready to take from them than togive to them, and thatmanypowerfulmen,bothclergyandlaity,broughtcontinualmischiefuponthefraternities.

JAMESDEMOLAY.A.D.1307.

In themean time, the secret agentsof theFrenchking industriouslycirculatedvariousdarkrumoursandodiousreportsconcerningtheTemplars,anditwassaidthat theywould never have lost theHoly Land if they had been good Christians.Theserumoursandaccusationsweresoonputintoatangibleshape.

According to somewriters, Squin de Florian, a citizen of Bezieres, who hadbeencondemnedtodeathorperpetualimprisonmentinoneoftheroyalcastlesforhisiniquities,wasbroughtbeforePhilip,andreceivedafreepardon,andwaswellrewardedinreturn, foranaccusationonoath,chargingtheTemplarswithheresy,andwiththecommissionofthemosthorriblecrimes.Accordingtoothers,NossodeFlorentin,anapostateTemplar,whohadbeencondemnedbytheGrandPreceptorandchapterofFrancetoperpetualimprisonmentforimpietyandcrime,madeinhisdungeon avoluntary confessionof the sins and abominations charged against theOrder.* Be this as it may, upon the strength of an information sworn to by acondemned criminal, King Philip, on the 14th of September, despatched secretorders to all the baillis of the different provinces in France, couched in thefollowingextravagantandabsurdterms:

*Bal.Pap.Avert,tom.ii.p.176.

“Philip, by the grace of God king of the French, to his beloved and faithfulknights.…&c.&c.

“A deplorable and most lamentable, matter, full of bitterness and grief, amonstrousbusiness,a thing thatonecannot thinkonwithoutaffright, cannothearwithout horror, transgressions unheard of, enormities and atrocities contrary toeverysentimentofhumanity,&c.&c.,havereachedourears.”Afteralongandmostextraordinary tirade of this kind, Philip accuses the Templars of insulting JesusChrist, andmaking him suffermore in those days than he had suffered formerlyuponthecross;ofrenouncingtheChristianreligion;ofmockingthesacredimageof the Saviour; of sacrificing to idols; and of abandoning themselves to impurepractices and unnatural crimes. He characterises them as ravishing wolves in

sheep’s clothing; a perfidious, ungrateful, idolatrous society, whose words anddeedswereenoughtopollutetheearthandinfecttheair;todryupthesourcesofthecelestialdews,andtoputthewholechurchofChristintoconfusion.

JAMESDEMOLAY.A.D.1307.

“We being charged,” says he, “with themaintenance of the faith; after havingconferredwiththepope,theprelates,andthebaronsofthekingdom,attheinstanceoftheinquisitor,fromtheinformationalreadylaid,fromviolentsuspicions,fromprobableconjectures,fromlegitimatepresumptions,conceivedagainsttheenemiesofheavenandearth;andbecausethematterisimportant,anditisexpedienttoprovethe just likegold in the furnaceby a rigorous examination, havedecreed that themembers of theOrderwho are our subjects shall be arrested and detained to bejudgedby thechurch, and that all their real andpersonalproperty shallbe seizedinto our hands, and be faithfully preserved,” &c. To these orders are attachedinstructions requiring the baillis and seneschals accurately to inform themselves,withgreatsecrecy,andwithoutexcitingsuspicion,of thenumberof thehousesoftheTemplewithintheirrespectivejurisdictions;theyarethentoprovideanarmedforce sufficient to overcome all resistance, and on the 13th of October are tosurprise the Templars in their preceptories, and make them prisoners. Theinquisitionisthendirectedtoassembletoexaminetheguilty,andtoemploytortureif it be necessary. “Before proceedingwith the inquiry,” says Philip, “you are toinform them (theTemplars) that the pope and ourselves have been convinced, byirreproachable testimony, of the errors and abominationswhich accompany theirvowsandprofession;youaretopromisethempardonandfavouriftheyconfessthetruth,butifnot,youaretoacquaintthemthattheywillbecondemnedtodeath.”*

*Bal.Pap.Aven.tom.i.p.99.SextaVita,Clem.V.apudBalux,tom.i.col.100.

AssoonasPhiliphadissuedtheseorders,hewrotetotheprincipalsovereignsof Europe, urging them to follow his example,† and sent a confidential agent,namedBernardPeletin,withalettertotheyoungking,EdwardtheSecond,whohadjust then ascended the throne of England, representing in frightful colours thepretendedsinsoftheTemplars.Onthe22ndofSeptember,KingEdwardrepliedtothis letter, observing thathehadconsideredof themattersmentioned therein, andhad listened to thestatementsof thatdiscreetman,MasterBernardPeletin; thathehadcausedthelattertounfoldthechargesbeforehimself,andmanyprelates,earls,and barons of his kingdom, and others of his council; but that they appeared soastonishingas tobebeyondbelief; that suchabominable andexecrabledeedshadneverbeforebeenheardofbythekingandtheaforesaidprelates,earls,andbarons,anditwasthereforehardlytobeexpectedthataneasycredencecouldbegiventothem.TheEnglishmonarch,however,informsKingPhilipthatbytheadviceofhis

councilhehadordered theseneschalofAgen,fromwhose lips therumoursweresaidtohaveproceeded,tobesummonedtohispresence,thatthroughhimhemightbe further informedconcerning thepremises;andhestates thatat the fitting time,afterdueinquiry,hewilltakesuchstepsaswillredoundtothepraiseofGod,andthehonourandpreservationofthecatholicfaith.‡

JAMESDEMOLAY.A.D.1307.

Onthenightof the13thofOctober,all theTemplars in theFrenchdominionsweresimultaneouslyarrested.MonkswereappointedtopreachagainsttheminthepublicplacesofParis,andinthegardensofthePalaisRoyale;andadvantagewastaken of the folly, the superstition, and the credulity of the age, to propagate themost horrible and extravagant charges against the Order. They were accused ofworshippinganidolcoveredwithanoldskin,embalmed,havingtheappearanceofa piece of polished oil-cloth. “In this idol,” we are assured, “there were twocarbunclesforeyes,brightasthebrightnessofheaven,anditiscertainthatallthehopeoftheTemplarswasplacedinit;itwastheirsovereigngod,andtheytrustedinit with all their heart.” They are accused of burning the bodies of the deceasedbrethren, and making the ashes into a powder, which they administered to theyounger brethren in their food and drink, tomake them hold fast their faith andidolatry;ofcookingandroastinginfants,andanointingtheir idolswiththefat;ofcelebrating hidden rites and mysteries, to which young and tender virgins wereintroduced,andofavarietyofabominationstooabsurdandhorribletobenamed.*Guillaume Paradin, in his history of Savoy, seriously repeats these monstrousaccusations,anddeclaresthattheTemplarshad“unlieucreuxoucaveenterre,fortobscur, en laquelle ils avoient un image en forme d’un homme, sur lequel ilsavoient appliqué la peau d’un corps humain, et mis deux clairs et lui sansescarboucles au lieu des deux yeux. A cette horrible statue etoient contraints desacrifier ceux qui vouloient etre de leur damnable religion, lesquels avant toutesceremonies ils contragnoient de renier Jesus Christ, et fouler la croix avec lespieds,etaprescemauditsacreauquelassistoientfemmesetfilles(seduitespouretredecesecte)ilsestegnoientleslampesetlumieresqu’ilsavoientencettcave.…Ets’iladvenoitqued’unTemplieretd’unpucellenasquit,unfils,ilsserangoittousenun rond, et se jettoient cet enfant de main en main, et ne cessoient de le letterlusquacequil fu mort entre leurs mains: etant mort ils se rotissoient (choseexecrable)etdelagraisseilsenognoientleurgrandstatue!”†Thecharacterofthecharges preferred against the Templars proves that their enemies had no seriouscrimes to allege against theOrder.Their very virtues indeedwere turned againstthem, forwe are told that “to conceal the iniquity of their lives theymademuchalmsgiving, constantly frequented church, comported themselveswith edification,frequentlypartookoftheholysacrament,andmanifestedalwaysmuchmodestyandgentlenessofdeportmentinthehouse,aswellasinpublic.”‡

*Hist.delaCondemnationdesTempliers.—Dupuy,tom.ii.p.309.†MarianaHispan.Illustr.Tom.iii.p.152.LeGendreHist.deFrance,tom.ii.p.499.‡ActaRymerti,tom.iii.p.18.adann.1307.

Duringtwelvedaysofsevereimprisonment,theTemplarsremainedconstantinthedenialof thehorriblecrimesimputedto thefraternity.Theking’spromisesofpardonextractedfromthemnoconfessionofguilt,andtheywerethereforehandedover to the tender mercies of the brethren of St. Dominic, who were the mostrefinedandexperttorturersoftheday.

JAMESDEMOLAY.A.D.1307.

Onthe19thofOctober, thegrandinquisitorproceededwithhismyrmidonstotheTempleatParis,andahundredandfortyTemplarswereoneafteranotherputtothe torture. Days and weeks were consumed in the examination, and thirty-sixTemplars perished in the hands of their tormentors, maintaining with unshakenconstancytotheverylasttheentireinnocenceoftheirorder.Manyofthemlosttheuseoftheirfeetfromtheapplicationofthetortureoffire,whichwasinflictedinthefollowingmanner:theirlegswerefastenedinanironframe,andthesolesoftheirfeetweregreasedoverwithfatorbutter;theywerethenplacedbeforethefire,andascreenwasdrawnbackwardsandforwards,soastomoderateandregulatetheheat.Suchwastheagonyproducedbythisroastingoperation,thatthevictimsoftenwentravingmad.BrotherBernardedeVado,onsubsequentlyrevokingaconfessionofguilt,wrung fromhimby this description of torment, says to the commissary ofpolice,beforewhomhewasbroughttobeexamined,“Theyheldmesolongbeforeafiercefire that thefleshwasburntoffmyheels, twopiecesofbonecameaway,which I present to you.”*Another Templar, on publicly revoking his confession,declaredthatfourofhisteethweredrawnout,andthatheconfessedhimselfguiltytosavetheremainder.†Othersofthefraternitydeposedtotheinflictiononthemofthemostrevoltingandindecenttorments‡and,inadditiontoallthis,itappearsthatforgedlettersfromtheGrandMasterwereshowntotheprisoners,exhortingthemtoconfessthemselvesguilty.ManyoftheTemplarswereaccordinglycompelledtoacknowledgewhateverwasrequiredofthem,andtopleadguiltytothecommissionofcrimeswhichinthepreviousinterrogatoriestheyhadpositivelydenied.§

*LesforfaitspourquoilesTempliersfurentarsetcondamnez,prisetcontreeuxapprouvezChron.S.Denis.Sextavita,Clem.V.Dupuy,p.24.editionde1713.

†Liv.ii.chap.106,chezDupuy.Sextavita,Clem.V.col.102.TheseviolentproceedingsexcitedtheastonishmentandamazementofEurope.

Onthe20thofNovember,thekingofEnglandsummonedtheseneschalofAgento his presence, and examined him concerning the truth of the horrible chargespreferredagainst theTemplars; andon the4thofDecember theEnglishmonarch

wroteletterstothekingsofPortugal,Castile,Aragon,andSicily,tothefollowingeffect:

“To the magnificent prince the Lord Dionysius, by the grace of God theillustriouskingofPortugal,hisverydearfriendEdward,bythesamegracekingofEngland,&c.Healthandprosperity.

JAMESDEMOLAY.A.D.1307.

“It is fit and proper, inasmuch as it conduceth to the honour of God and theexaltationof thefaith, thatweshouldprosecutewithbenevolencethosewhocomerecommendedtousbystrenuouslaboursandincessantexertionsindefenceoftheCatholicfaith,andforthedestructionoftheenemiesofthecrossofChrist.Verily,acertainclerk, (BernardPeletin),drawingnighuntoourpresence, appliedhimself,withallhismight,tothedestructionoftheOrderofthebrethrenoftheTempleofJerusalem. He dared to publish before us and our council certain horrible anddetestable enormities repugnant to the Catholic faith, to the prejudice of theaforesaid brothers, endeavouring to persuade us, through his own allegations, aswell as through certain letterswhichhehad caused tobe addressed tous for thatpurpose, that by reason of the premises, and without a due examination of thematter,weoughttoimprisonallthebrethrenoftheaforesaidorderabidinginourdominions. But, considering that the Order, which hath been renowned for itsreligionand itshonour,and in times longsincepassedawaywas instituted,aswehavelearned,bytheCatholicFathers,exhibits,andhathfromtheperiodofitsfirstfoundationexhibited,abecomingdevotiontoGodandhisholychurch,andalso,upto this time, hath afforded succour and protection to the Catholic faith in partsbeyond sea, it appeared to us that a ready belief in an accusation of this kind,hithertoaltogetherunheardofagainstthefraternity,wasscarcelytobeexpected.Weaffectionately ask, and require of your royalmajesty, that ye,with due diligence,considerofthepremises,andturnadeafeartotheslandersofill-naturedmen,whoare animated, as we believe, not with the zeal of rectitude, but with a spirit ofcupidity and envy, permitting no injury unadvisedly to be done to the persons orpropertyofthebrethrenoftheaforesaidorder,dwellingwithinyourkingdom,untiltheyhavebeenlegallyconvictedofthecrimeslaidtotheircharge,oritshallhappentobeotherwiseorderedconcerningthemintheseparts.”*

* Ostendei duo ossa quod dicebat ilia esse qua ceciderunt de talis suis. Processus contra Templarios.RaynouardMonumensHistoriques,p.73,ed.1813.

†Inquibustormentisdicebatsequatuordentesperdidisse.Ibp.35.‡Fuitquaestionibusponderibusappensisingenitalibus,etinaliismembrisusqueadexanimationem.Ib.§TresdesChart.TEMPLIERS,cart3,n.20.

JAMESDEMOLAY.A.D.1307.

Afewdaysafterthetransmissionofthisletter,KingEdwardwrotetothepope,

expressing his disbelief of the horrible and detestable rumours spread abroadconcerning the Templars. He represents them to his holiness as universallyrespectedbyallmen inhisdominionsfor thepurityof their faithandmorals.Heexpressesgreatsympathyfortheafflictionanddistresssufferedbythemasterandbrethren, by reason of the scandal circulated concerning them; and he stronglyurgestheholypontifftoclear,bysomefaircourseofinquiry,thecharacteroftheOrder from the unjust and infamous aspersions cast against it† On the 22nd ofNovember,however,afortnightpreviously,thePopehadissuedthefollowingbulltoKingEdward.

“Clement,bishop,servantoftheservantsofGod,tohisverydearsoninChrist,Edward,theillustriouskingofEngland,healthandapostolicalblessing.

“Presiding, though unworthy, on the throne of pastoral pre-eminence, by thedispositionofhimwhodisposethall things,weferventlyseekafter thisone thingaboveallothers;wewithardentwishesaspiretothis,thatshakingoffthesleepofnegligence, whilst watching over the Lord’s flock, by removing that which ishurtful, and taking care of such things as are profitable, wemay be able, by thedivineassistance,tobringsoulstoGod.”

* Dat. Apud Redyng, 4 die Decembris. Consimiles litteræ diriguntur Ferando regi Castillæ et Ligionis,consanguineoRegis,dominoKarolo,regiSiciliæ,etJacoboregiAragoniæ,amicoRegis.ActaRymeri,tom.iii.adann.1307,p.35,36.

†ActaRymeri,tom.iii.p.37,adann.1307.

JAMESDEMOLAY.A.D.1307.

“Intruth,alongtimeago,abouttheperiodofourfirstpromotiontothesummitoftheapostolicaldignity,therecametoourearsalightrumour,totheeffectthattheTemplars,thoughfightingostensiblyundertheguiseofreligion,havehithertobeensecretly living in perfidious apostasy, and in detestable heretical depravity. But,consideringthat theirorder, in timeslongsincepassedaway,shoneforthwith thegraceofmuchnobilityandhonour,andthattheywereforalengthoftimeheldinvastreverencebythefaithful,andthatwehadthenheardofnosuspicionconcerningthepremises,orof evil report against them;andalso, that from thebeginningoftheir religion, theyhavepubliclyborne thecrossofChrist, exposing theirbodiesand goods against the enemies of the faith, for the acquisition, retention, anddefence of the Holy Land, consecrated by the precious blood of our Lord andSaviourJesusChrist,wewereunwillingtoyieldareadybelieftotheaccusation…”

JAMESDEMOLAY.A.D.1307.

The holy pontiff then states, that afterwards, however, the same dreadfulintelligencewasconveyedtothekingofFrance,who,animatedbyalivelyzealinthe causeof religion, took immediate steps to ascertain its truth.Hedescribes thevarious confessions of the guilt of idolatry and heresymade by the Templars in

France,andrequiresthekingforthwithtocausealltheTemplarsinhisdominionstobetakenintocustodyonthesameday.Hedirectshimtoholdthem,inthenameofthe pope, at the disposition of the Holy See, and to commit all their real andpersonal property to the hands of certain trustworthy persons, to be faithfullypreserved until the holy pontiff shall give further directions concerning it.*KingEdwardreceivedthisbullimmediatelyafterhehaddespatchedhislettertothepope,exhortinghisholinessnottogiveeartotheaccusationagainsttheOrder.TheyoungkingwasnoweitherconvincedoftheguiltoftheTemplars,onthehighauthorityofthesovereignpontiff,orhopedtoturntheproceedingsagainstthemtoaprofitableaccount, as he yielded a ready and prompt compliance with the pontificalcommands.Anorder incouncilwasmade for thearrestof theTemplars, and theseizureof theirproperty. Inventoriesweredirected tobe takenof theirgoodsandchattels,andprovisionwasmadeforthesowingandtillingoftheirlandsduringtheperiodoftheirimprisonment.†Thisorderincouncilwascarriedintoeffectinthefollowingmanner:

Onthe20thofDecember,theking’swritsweredirectedtoeachofthesheriffsthroughoutEngland,commandingthemtomakesureofcertaintrustworthymenoftheir bailiwicks, to the number of ten or twelve in each county, such as the kingcould best confide in, and have them at a certain place in the county, on pain offorfeiture of everything that could be forfeited to the king; and commanding thesheriffs, on pain of the like forfeiture, to be in person at the same place, on theSundaybeforethefeastofEpiphany,todocertainthingstouchingtheking’speace,whichthesheriffwouldfindcontainedintheking’swritabouttobedirectedtohim.And afterwards theking sent sworn clergymenwithhiswrits, containing the saidorderincounciltothesheriffs,who,beforetheyopenedthem,weretotakeanoaththat they would not disclose the contents of such writs until they proceeded toexecute them.*Thesameorders, tobeactedupon ina similarmanner in Ireland,weresent to the justiciaryof thatcountry,andto the treasurerof theExchequeratDublin; also, to John de Richemund, guardian of Scotland; and to Walter dePederton,justiciaryofWestWales;HughdeAldithelegh,justiciaryofNorthWales;and toRobert deHolland, justiciary ofChester,whowere strictly commanded tocarrytheOrdersintoexecutionbeforetheking’sproceedingsagainsttheTemplarsinEnglandwerenoisedabroad.Alltheking’sfaithfulsubjectswerecommandedtoaidandassisttheofficersinthefulfilmentoftheirduty.†

*Dat.Pictavis10,kal.Dec.ActaRymeri,tom.iii.adann.1307,p.30—32.‡ActaRymeri,tom.iii.p.34,35,adann.1307.

JAMESDEMOLAY.A.D.1308.

Onthe26thofDecemberthekingwrotetothePope,informinghisholinessthathewouldcarryhiscommands intoexecution in thebestandspeediestway thathe

could;andonthe8thofJanuary,A.D.1308,theTemplarsweresuddenlyarrestedinallpartsofEngland,andtheirpropertywasseizedintotheking’shands.‡BrotherWilliam de la More was at this period Master of the Temple, or Preceptor ofEngland.HesucceededtheMasterBrianleJay,whowasslain,asbeforementioned,inthebattleofFalkirk,andwastakenprisoner,togetherwithallhisbrethrenoftheTemple at London, and committed to close custody inCanterburyCastle.HewasafterwardsliberatedonbailattheinstanceofthebishopofDurham.§

JAMESDEMOLAY.A.D.1308.

Onthe12thofAugust,thePopeaddressedthebullfaciensmisericordiamtotheEnglishbishopsasfollows:“Clement,bishop,servantoftheservantsofGod,tothevenerable brethren the archbishop of Canterbury and his suffragans, health andapostolicalbenediction.TheSonofGod,theLordJesusChrist,usingmercywithhisservant,wouldhaveus takenupinto theeminentmirrorof theapostleship, to thisend, that being, though unworthy, his vicar uponEarth,wemay, as far as humanfrailty will permit in all our actions and proceedings, follow his footsteps.” Hedescribes the rumours which had been spread abroad in France against theTemplars,andhisunwillingnesstobelievethem,“becauseitwasnotlikely,nordidseemcredible,thatsuchreligiousmen,whoparticularlyoftenshedtheirbloodforthe name of Christ, and were thought very frequently to expose their persons todanger of death for his sake; and who often showed many and great signs ofdevotion,aswellinthedivineofficesasinfastingandotherobservances,shouldbesounmindfuloftheirsalvationastoperpetratesuchthings;wewereun-willingtogiveeartotheinsinuationsandimpeachmentsagainstthem,beingtaughtsotodobytheexampleof thesameLordofours,andthewritingsofcanonicaldoctrine.Butafterwards,ourmostdearsoninChrist,Philip,theillustriouskingoftheFrench,towhomthesamecrimeshadbeenmadeknown,notfrommotivesofavarice,(sincehedoesnotdesigntoapplyor toappropriate tohimselfanyportionof theestatesoftheTemplars, nay, haswashed his hands of them!) but inflamedwith zeal for theorthodox faith, following the renowned footsteps of his ancestors, getting whatinformationheproperlycoulduponthepremises,gaveusmuchinstructionin thematterbyhismessengersandletters.”TheholypontiffthengivesalongaccountofthevariousconfessionsmadeinFrance,andoftheabsolutiongrantedtosuchoftheTemplarsasweretrulycontriteandpenitent;heexpresseshisconvictionoftheguiltoftheOrder,andmakesprovisionforthetrialofthefraternityinEngland.*KingEdward,inthemeantime,hadbeguntomakefreewiththeirproperty,andthePope,onthe4thofOctober,wrotetohimtothefollowingeffect:

*Ibid.p.34,35.†Ibid.p.45.‡Knyghton,apudX.script,col.2494,2531.§ActaRymeritom.iii.p.83.

JAMESDEMOLAY.A.D.1308.

“Yourconductbeginsagaintoaffordusnoslightcauseofaffliction,inasmuchasithathbeenbroughttoourknowledgefromthereportofseveralbarons,thatincontempt of theHoly See, andwithout fear of offending the divineMajesty, youhave,ofyourownsoleauthority,distributedtodifferentpersonsthepropertywhichbelongedformerly to theOrderof theTemple inyourdominions,whichyouhadgot into your hands at our command, and which ought to have remained at ourdisposition.…Wehavethereforeordainedthatcertainfitandproperpersonsshallbe sent into your kingdom, and to all parts of theworldwhere theTemplars areknowntohavehadproperty,totakepossessionofthesameconjointlywithcertainprelates specially deputed to that end, and to make an inquisition concerning theexecrableexcesseswhichthemembersoftheOrderaresaidtohavecommitted.”†

Tothisletterofthesupremepontiff,KingEdwardsentthefollowingshortandpithyreply:

“As to the goods of theTemplars,we have done nothingwith themup to thepresenttime,nordoweintendtodowiththemaughtbutwhatwehavearighttodo,andwhatweknowwillbeacceptabletotheMostHigh.”‡

*ActaRymeri,tom.iii.p.101,2,3.† ActaRymeri,tom.iii.p.110,111.VitoepaparumAvenion,tom.ii.p.107‡Ibid.,tom.iii.p.121,122.

Onthe13thofSeptember,A.D.1309,thekinggrantedlettersofsafeconduct“tothosediscreetmen,theabbotofLagny,inthedioceseofParis,andMasterSicarddeVaur, canon of Narbonne,” the inquisitors appointed by the Pope to examine theGrand Preceptor and brethren of the Temple in England;* and the same day hewrote to the archbishop of Canterbury, and the bishops of London and Lincoln,enjoiningthemtobepersonallypresentwiththepapalinquisitors,attheirrespectivesees, as often as such inquisitors, or any one of them, should proceedwith theirinquiriesagainsttheTemplars.†

Onthe14thofSeptemberwritsweresent,inpursuanceofanorderincouncil,tothe sheriffs ofKent and seventeen other counties, commanding them to bring alltheir prisoners of the Order of the Temple to London, and deliver them to theconstable of the Tower; also to the sheriffs of Northumberland and eight othercounties, enjoining them to convey their prisoners to York Castle; and to thesheriffs ofWarwick and seven other counties, requiring them, in likemanner, toconducttheirprisonerstotheCastleofLincoln.‡WritswerealsosenttoJohndeCumberland,constableoftheTower,andtotheconstablesofthecastlesofYorkandLincoln,commandingthemtoreceivetheTemplars, tokeeptheminsafecustody,andholdthematthedispositionoftheinquisitors.§ThetotalnumberofTemplarsin custodywas two hundred and twenty-nine.Many, however, were still at large,

having successfully evaded capture by obliterating all marks of their previousprofession,andsomehadescapedindisguisetothewildandmountainouspartsofWales, Scotland, and Ireland. Among the prisoners confined in the Tower werebrotherWilliamdelaMore,Knight,GrandPreceptorofEngland,otherwiseMasteroftheTemple;BrotherHimbertBlanke,Knight,GrandPreceptorofAuvergne,oneof the veteran warriors who had fought to the last in defence of Palestine, hadescapedtheslaughteratAcre,andhadaccompaniedtheGrandMasterfromCyprusto France, from whence he crossed over to England, and was rewarded for hismeritorious and memorable services, in defence of the Christian faith, with adungeon in the Tower.** BrotherRadulph de Barton, priest of the Order of theTemple, custos or guardian of theTemple church, and prior ofLondon;BrotherMichaeldeBaskeville,Knight,PreceptorofLondon;BrotherJohndeStoke,Knight,TreasureroftheTempleatLondon;togetherwithmanyotherknightsandservingbrethren of the samehouse.Therewere also in custody in theTower the knightspreceptors of the preceptories of Ewell in Kent, of Daney and Dokesworth inCambridgeshire, of Getinges in Gloucestershire, of Cumbe in Somersetshire, ofSchepeley in Surrey, of Samford and Bistelesham in Oxfordshire, of Garwy inHerefordshire,ofCressinginEssex,ofPafflet,Hippleden,andotherpreceptories,together with several priests and chaplains of the Order.* A general scrambleappears to have taken place for possession of the goods and chattels of theimprisoned Templars; and the king, to check the robberies that were committed,appointedAlandeGoldynghamandJohndeMedefeldto inquire into thevalueofthepropertythathadbeencarriedoff,andtoinformhimofthenamesofthepartieswhohadobtainedpossessionofit.Thesheriffsofthedifferentcountieswerealsodirectedtosummonjuries,throughwhomthetruthmightbebetterobtained.†

*Ibid.p.168.†Ibid.p.168,169.‡Ibid.p.174.§ActaRymeri,tom.iii.p.173,175.**Rainald,tom.xv.adann.1306.

On the 22nd of September, the archbishop of Canterbury transmitted lettersapostolic toallhissuffragans,enclosingcopiesof thebull faciensmisericordiam,andalsothearticlesofaccusationtobeexhibitedagainsttheTemplars,whichtheyare directed to copy and deliver again, under their seals, to the bearer, takingespecialcarenot to reveal thecontents thereof.‡At thesame time thearchbishop,acting in obedience to the papal commands, before a single witness had beenexamined in England, caused to be published in all churches and chapels a papalbull, wherein the Pope declares himself perfectly convinced of the guilt of theOrder,andsolemnlydenouncesthepenaltyofexcommunicationagainstallpersons,ofwhateverrank,station,orconditioninlife,whetherclergyorlaity,whoshould

knowingly afford, either publicly or privately, assistance, counsel, or kindness tothe Templars, or should dare to shelter them, or give them countenance orprotection,andalsolayingunderinterdictallcities,castles,lands,andplaces,whichshould harbour any of the members of the proscribed order. § At thecommencement of themonth of October, the inquisitors arrived in England, andimmediatelypublishedthebullappointingthecommission,enjoiningthecitationofthecriminals,andofwitnesses,anddenouncingtheheaviestecclesiasticalcensuresagainst the disobedient, and against every personwho should dare to impede theinquisitors in the exercise of their functions. Citations were made in St. Paul’sCathedral,andinallthechurchesoftheecclesiasticalprovinceofCanterbury,attheend of high mass, requiring the Templars to appear before the inquisitors at acertain time and place, and the articles of accusation were transmitted to theconstableoftheTower,inLatin,French,andEnglish,tobereadtoalltheTemplarsimprisonedinthatfortress.OnMonday,the20thofOctober,aftertheTemplarshadbeenlanguishingintheEnglishprisonsformorethanayearandeightmonths,thetribunalconstitutedbythePopetotaketheinquisitionintheprovinceofCanterburyassembled in the episcopal hall of London. It was composed of the bishop ofLondon,Dieudonné,abbotofthemonasteryofLagny,inthedioceseofParis,andSicarddeVaur,canonofNarbonne,thePope’schaplain,andhearerofcausesinthepontificalpalace.Theywereassistedbyseveralforeignnotaries.Afterthereadingofthepapalbulls,andsomepreliminaryproceedings,themonstrousandridiculousarticlesofaccusation,amonumentofhumanfolly,superstition,andcredulity,weresolemnlyexhibitedasfollows:

*Concil.Mag.Brit.tom.ii.p.346,347.†ActaRymeri,tom.iii.p.178,179.‡Concil.Mag.Brit.tom.ii.p.304—311.§ProcessuscontraTemplarios,Dugd.Monast.Angl.vol.vi.part2,p.844—846ed.1830.

“Item. At the place, day, and hour aforesaid, in the presence of the aforesaidlords, and before us the above-mentioned notaries, the articles inclosed in theapostolic bull were exhibited and opened before us, the contents whereof are asunderwritten.

“ThesearethearticlesuponwhichinquisitionshallbemadeagainstthebrethrenofthemilitaryorderoftheTemple,&c.

JAMESDEMOLAY.A.D.1309.

“1.ThatattheirfirstreceptionintotheOrder,oratsometimeafterwards,orassoonasanopportunityoccurred, theywere inducedoradmonishedby thosewhohadreceivedthemwithinthebosomofthefraternity,todenyChristorJesus,orthecrucifixion, or at one time God, and at another time the blessed virgin, andsometimesallthesaints.

“2.Thatthebrothersjointlydidthis.“3.Thatthegreaterpartofthemdidit.“4.Thattheydiditsometimesaftertheirreception.“5. That the receivers told and instructed those thatwere received, that Christ

wasnotthetrueGod,orsometimesJesus,orsometimesthepersoncrucified.“6.Thattheytoldthosetheyreceivedthathewasafalseprophet.“7.Thattheysaidhehadnotsufferedfortheredemptionofmankind,norbeen

crucifiedbutforhisownsins.“8.Thatneitherthereceivernorthepersonreceivedhadanyhopeofobtaining

salvation through him, and this they said to those they received, or somethingequivalent,orlikeit.

“9. That theymade those they received into theOrder spit upon the cross, oruponthesignorfigureofthecross,ortheimageofChrist,thoughtheythatwerereceiveddidsometimesspitaside.

“10.Thattheycausedthecrossitselftobetrampledunderfoot.“11.Thatthebrethrenthemselvesdidsometimestrampleonthesamecross.“12. Item quod mingebant interdum, et alios mingere faciebant, super ipsam

crucem,ethocfeceruntaliquotiensindievenerissanctâ!!“13. Item quod nonnulli eorum ipsâ die, vel alia septimanæ sanctæ pro

conculcationeetminctioneprædictisconsueveruntconvenire!“14. That they worshipped a cat which was placed in the midst of the

congregation.JAMESDEMOLAY.A.D.1309.

“15.ThattheydidthesethingsincontemptofChristandtheorthodoxfaith.“16.Thattheydidnotbelievethesacramentofthealtar.“17.Thatsomeofthemdidnot.“18.Thatthegreaterpartdidnot.“19.Thattheybelievednottheothersacramentsofthechurch.“20.ThatthepriestsoftheOrderdidnotutterthewordsbywhichthebodyof

Christisconsecratedinthecanonofthemass.“21.Thatsomeofthemdidnot.“22.Thatthegreaterpartdidnot.“23.Thatthosewhoreceivedthemenjoinedthesame.“24.That they believed, and so itwas told them, that theGrandMaster of the

Ordercouldabsolvethemfromtheirsins.“25.Thatthevisitorcoulddoso.“26.Thatthepreceptors,ofwhommanywerelaymen,coulddoit.“27.Thattheyinfactdiddoso.“28.Thatsomeofthemdid.“29.That theGrandMaster confessed these things of himself, even before he

wastaken,inthepresenceofgreatpersons.“30.ThatinreceivingbrothersintotheOrder,orwhenabouttoreceivethem,or

sometimeafterhavingreceivedthem,thereceiversandthepersonsreceivedkissedoneanotheronthemouth,thenavel.…!!

“36.Thatthereceptionsofthebrethrenweremadeclandestinely.“37.Thatnonewerepresentbutthebrothersofthesaidorder.“38.That for this reason therehas for a long timebeenavehement suspicion

againstthem.JAMESDEMOLAY.A.D.1309.

The succeeding articles proceed to charge the Templars with crimes andabominationstoohorribleanddisgustingtobenamed.

“46.Thatthebrothersthemselveshadidolsineveryprovince,viz.heads;someofwhichhadthreefaces,andsomeone,andsomeaman’sskull.

“47.Thattheyadoredthatidol,orthoseidols,especiallyintheirgreatchaptersandassemblies.

“48.Thattheyworshippedit.“49.AstheirGod.“50.AstheirSaviour.“51.Thatsomeofthemdidso.“52.Thatthegreaterpartdid.“53.Thattheysaidthatthatheadcouldsavethem.“54.Thatitcouldproduceriches.“55.ThatithadgiventotheOrderallitswealth.“56.Thatitcausedtheearthtobringforthseed.“57.Thatitmadethetreestoflourish.“58.Thattheyboundortouchedtheheadofthesaididolswithcords,wherewith

theyboundthemselvesabouttheirshirts,ornexttheirskins.“59. That at their reception the aforesaid little cords, or others of the same

length,weredeliveredtoeachofthebrothers.“60.Thattheydidthisinworshipoftheiridol.“61.That itwasenjoined them togird themselveswith the said littlecords, as

beforementioned,andcontinuallytowearthem.“62.ThatthebrethrenoftheOrderweregenerallyreceivedinthatmanner.“63.Thattheydidthesethingsoutofdevotion.

JAMESDEMOLAY.A.D.1309.

“64.Thattheydidthemeverywhere.“65.Thatthegreaterpartdid.“66.Thatthosewhorefusedthethingsabovementionedattheirreception,orto

observethemafterwards,werekilledorcastintoprison.”*

The remaining articles, twenty-one in number, are directed principally to themode of confession practised amongst the fraternity, and to matters of hereticaldepravity.Suchanaccusationasthis,justlyremarksVoltaire,destroysitself.

BrotherWilliamdelaMore,andthirtymoreofhisbrethren,beinginterrogatedbeforetheinquisitors,positivelydeniedtheguiltoftheorder,andaffirmedthattheTemplarswhohadmadetheconfessionsalludedto inFrancehad lied.Theywereorderedtobebroughtupseparatelytobeexamined.

On the 23rd of October, brotherWilliamRaven, being interrogated as to themodeofhisreceptionintotheOrder,statesthathewasadmittedbybrotherWilliamdelaMore,theMasteroftheTempleatTempleCoumbe,inthedioceseofBath;thathepetitionedthebrethrenoftheTemplethattheywouldbepleasedtoreceivehimintotheOrdertoserveGodandtheblessedVirginMary,andtoendhislifeintheirservice;thathewasaskedifhehadafirmwishsotodo;andrepliedthathehad;thattwobrothersthenexpoundedtohimthestrictnessandseverityoftheOrder,andtoldhimthathewouldnotbeallowedtoactafterhisownwill,butmustfollowthewillof the preceptor; that if he wished to do one thing, he would be ordered to doanother;andthat ifhewishedtobeatoneplace,hewouldbesent toanother; thathaving promised so to act, he swore upon the holy gospels of God to obey theMaster, to hold no property, to preserve chastity, never to consent that any manshouldbeunjustlydespoiledofhisheritage,andnevertolayviolenthandsonanyman, except in self-defence, or upon the Saracens. He states that the oath wasadministered to him in the chapel of the preceptory of Temple Coumbe, in thepresenceonlyofthebrethrenoftheOrder;thattherulewasreadovertohimbyoneof the brothers, and that a learned serving brother, named John de Walpole,instructed him, for the space of onemonth, upon thematters contained in it. TheprisonerwasthentakenbacktotheTower,andwasdirectedtobestrictlyseparatedfromhisbrethren,andnottobesufferedtospeaktoanyoneofthem.

*The original draft of these articles of accusation,with the corrections and alterations, is preserved in theTresor des Chartres Raynouard, Monumens Historiques, p. 50, 51. The proceedings against the Templars inEnglandarepreserved inMS. in theBritishMuseum,Harl.No.252,62, f.p.113;No.247,68, f.p.144.Bib.CottonJulius,b.xii.p.70;and in theBodleianLibraryandAshmoleanMuseum.Theprincipalpartof themhasbeenpublishedbyWilkinsintheConciliaMagnaBritannia,torn.ii.p.329—401,andbyDugdale,intheMonast.Angl.vol.vi.part2.p.844—848.

JAMESDEMOLAY.A.D.1309.

Thetwonextdays(Oct.24and25)weretakenupwithasimilarexaminationofBrothersHughdeTadecastreandThomasleChamberleyn,whogavepreciselythesameaccountoftheirreceptionasthepreviouswitness.BrotherHughdeTadecastreadded, that he swore to succour the Holy Land with all his might, and defend itagainsttheenemiesoftheChristianfaith;andthatafterhehadtakenthecustomaryoathsandthethreevowsofchastity,poverty,andobedience,themantleoftheorder

andthecrosswiththecoifontheheadweredeliveredtohiminthechurch,inthepresence of theMaster, the knights, and the brothers, all seculars being excluded.BrotherThomasleChamberleynadded,thattherewasthesamemodeofreceptioninEnglandasbeyondsea,andthesamemodeoftakingthevows;thatallsecularsareexcluded,andthatwhenhehimselfenteredtheTemplechurchtobeprofessed,the door by which he entered was closed after him; that there was another doorlookingintothecemetery,butthatnostrangercouldenterthatway.OnbeingaskedwhynonebutthebrethrenoftheOrderwerepermittedtobepresentatthereceptionandprofessionofbrothers,hesaidheknewofnoreason,butthatitwassowrittenintheirbookofrules.

Between the 25th of October and the 17th of November, thirty-three knights,chaplains, and serving brothers, were examined, all of whom positively deniedevery article imputing crime or infidelity to their order.When Brother HimbertBlanke was asked why they had made the reception and profession of brethrensecret, he replied,Through their own unaccountable folly. They avowed that theyworelittlecordsroundtheirshirts,butfornobadend;theydeclaredthattheynevertouchedidolswiththem,butthattheywerewornbywayofpenance,oraccordingtoa knight of forty-three years’ standing, by the instruction of the holy father St.Bernard.BrotherRicharddeGoldynghamsaysthatheknowsnothingfurtheraboutthemthanthattheywerecalledgirdlesofchastity.Theystatethatthereceiversandthepartyreceivedkissedoneanotherontheface,buteverythingelseregardingthekissingwasfalse,abominable,andhadneverbeendone.

Brother Radulph deBarton, priest of theOrder of the Temple, and custos orguardianoftheTemplechurchatLondon,stated,withregardtoArticle24,thattheGrand Master in chapter could absolve the brothers from offences committedagainsttherulesandobservancesoftheOrder,butnotfromprivatesin,ashewasnotapriest; that itwasperfectly true that thosewhowere received into theOrdersworenottorevealthesecretsofthechapter,andthatwhenanyonewaspunishedinthechapter,thosewhowerepresentatitdurstnotrevealittosuchaswereabsent;butifanybrotherrevealedthemodeofhisreception,hewouldbedeprivedofhischamber, or else stripped of his habit. He declares that the brethren were notprohibitedfromconfessingtopriestsnotbelongingtotheOrderoftheTemple;andthat he had never heard of the crimes and iniquities mentioned in the articles ofinquiry previous to his arrest, except as regarded the charges made against theOrderbyBernardPeletin,whenhecametoEnglandfromKingPhilipofFrance.HestatesthathehadbeenguardianoftheTemplechurchfortenyears,andforthelasttwo years had enjoyed the dignity of preceptor at the same place. He was askedabout the death of Brother Walter le Bachelor, knight, formerly Preceptor ofIreland,whodiedat theTempleatLondon,buthedeclares thatheknowsnothingaboutit,exceptthatthesaidWalterwasfetteredandplacedinprison,andtheredied;

thathecertainlyhadheard thatgreat severityhadbeenpractised towardshim,butthat he hadnotmeddledwith the affair on account of the danger of so doing; headmittedalsothattheaforesaidWalterwasnotburiedinthecemeteryoftheTemple,as he was considered excommunicated on account of his disobedience of hissuperior,andoftheruleoftheOrder.

Manyofthebrethrenthusexaminedhadbeenfromtwentytothirty,forty,forty-two,and forty-threeyears in theOrder, andsomewereoldveteranwarriorswhohadfoughtformanyalongyearintheEast,andrichlymeritedabetterfate.BrotherHimbertBlanke,knight,PreceptorofAuvergne,hadbeenintheOrderthirty-eightyears.HewasreceivedatthecityofTyreinPalestine,hadbeenengagedinconstantwarfareagainsttheinfidels,andhadfoughttothelastindefenceofAcre.Hemakesin substance the same statements as theotherwitnesses;declares thatno religiousorder believes the sacrament of the altar better than the Templars; that they trulybelieved all that the church taught, andhad alwaysdone so, and that if theGrandMasterhad confessed the contrary,hehad lied.BrotherRobert leScott, knight, abrotheroftwenty-sixyears’standing,hadbeenreceivedatthePilgrim’sCastle,thefamousfortressoftheKnightsTemplarsinPalestine,bytheGrandMaster,BrotherWilliamdeBeaujeu, theherowhodiedsogloriouslyat the iieadofhisknightsatthe last siege and storming of Acre. He states that from levity of disposition hequittedtheOrderafterithadbeendrivenoutofPalestine,andabsentedhimselffortwo years, during which period he came to Rome, and confessed to the Pope’spenitentiary,who imposedonhimaheavypenance,andenjoinedhimtoreturn tohisbrethrenintheEast,andthathewentbackandresumedhishabitatNicosiaintheisland of Cyprus, and was re-admitted to the Order by command of the GrandMaster,JamesdeMolay,whowasthenattheheadoftheconvent.Headds,also,thatBrotherHimbertBlanke(thepreviouswitness)waspresentathisfirstreceptionatthePilgrim’sCastle.Hefullycorroboratesalltheforegoingtestimony.

BrotherRichard de Peitevyn, amember of forty-two years’ standing, deposesthat, in addition to the previous oaths, he swore that he would never bear armsagainst Christians except in his own defence, or in defence of the rights of theOrder;hedeclaresthattheenormitiesmentionedinthearticleswereneverheardofbeforeBernardPeletinbroughtletterstohislord,thekingofEngland,againsttheTemplars.

Onthe22nddayoftheinquiry,thefollowingentrywasmadeontherecordoftheproceedings:

“Memorandum.BrothersPhilipdeMewes,ThomasdeBurton,andThomasdeStaundon, were advised and earnestly exhorted to abandon their religiousprofession,whoseverallyrepliedthattheywouldratherdiethandoso.”*

JAMESDEMOLAY.A.D.1309.

Onthe19thand20thofNovember,seven laywitnesses,un-connectedwith theOrder,wereexaminedbefore the inquisitors in thechapelof themonasteryof theHoly Trinity, but could prove nothing against the Templars that was criminal ortaintedwithheresy.

MasterWilliam leDorturer, notary public, declared that the Templars rose atmidnight,andheldtheirchaptersbeforedawn,andhethoughtthatthemysteryandsecrecy of the receptions were owing to a bad rather than a good motive, butdeclared that he had never observed that they had acquired, or had attempted toacquire, anythingunjustly.MasterGilbertdeBruere, clerk, said thathehadneversuspected them of anything worse than an excessive correction of the brethren.WilliamLambert, formerlya“messengerof theTemple,” (nuntiusTempli),knewnothingbadoftheTemplars,andthoughtthemperfectlyinnocentofallthemattersalluded to.AndRichard deBarton, priest, andRadulph deRayndon, an oldman,bothdeclaredthattheyknewnothingoftheOrder,orofthemembersofit,butwhatwasgoodandhonourable.

JAMESDEMOLAY.A.D.1309.

Onthe25thofNovember,aprovincialcouncilofthechurch,summonedbythearchbishopofCanterbury, inobediencetoapapalbull,assembledin thecathedralchurchofSt.Paul.Itwascomposedofthebishops,abbots,priors,headsofcolleges,andalltheprincipalclergy,whowerecalledtogethertotreatofthereformationofthe English church, of the recovery and preservation of the Holy Land, and topronouncesentenceofabsolutionorofcondemnationagainstsingularpersonsoftheOrderofthechivalryoftheTempleintheprovinceofCanterbury,accordingtothetenoroftheapostolicalmandate.ThecouncilwasopenedbythearchbishopofCanterbury,whorodetoSt.Paul’sonhorseback.ThebishopofNorwichcelebratedthemassoftheHolyGhostatthegreataltar,andthearchbishoppreachedasermoninLatinuponthe20thchapteroftheActsoftheApostles;afterwhichapapalbullwasread,inwhichtheholypontiffdwellsmostpatheticallyupontheawfulsinsoftheTemplars,and theirgreatand tremendous fall fromtheirprevioushighestate.Hitherto, says he, they have been renowned throughout the world as the specialchampionsofthefaith,andthechiefdefendersoftheHolyLand,whoseaffairshavebeen mainly regulated by those brothers. The church, following them and theirorder with the plenitude of its especial favour and regard, armed them with theemblemofthecrossagainsttheenemiesofChrist,exaltedthemwithmuchhonour,enrichedthemwithwealth,andfortifiedthemwithvariouslibertiesandprivileges.Theholypontiffdisplays thesad reportof their sinsand iniquitieswhich reachedhisears,filledhimwithbitternessandgrief,disturbedhisrepose,smotehimwithhorror, injured his health, and caused his body to waste away! He gives a longaccountofthecrimesimputedtotheOrder,oftheconfessionsanddepositionsthathadbeenmadeinFrance,andthenburstsoutintoaparoxysmofgrief,declaresthat

the melancholy affair deeply moved all the faithful, that all Christianity wassheddingbittertears,wasoverwhelmedwithgrief,andclothedwithmourning.HeconcludesbydecreeingtheassemblyofageneralcouncilofthechurchatViennetopronounce the abolition of the Order, and to determine on the disposal of itsproperty,towhichcounciltheEnglishclergyarerequiredtosendrepresentatives.*

*ActuminCapellainfirmariæprioratusSanctæTrinitatispræsentibusetc.ConciliaMagnæBritanniæ,tom.iii.p.344.Ibid.p.334—343.

Afterthereadingofthebullsandtheclosingofthepreliminaryproceedings,thecouncil occupied themselves for six days with ecclesiastical matters; and on theseventhday,beingTuesday,Dec.2nd,allthebishopsandmembersassembledinthechamberof thearchbishopofCanterbury inLambethpalace, incompanywith thepapal inquisitors, who displayed before them the depositions and replies of theforty-three Templars, and of the seven witnesses previously examined. It wasdecreedthatacopyofthesedepositionsandrepliesshouldbefurnishedtoeachofthebishops,and that thecouncilshouldstandadjourneduntil thenextday, togivetimefordeliberationuponthepremises.

Onthefollowingday,accordingly,(Wednesday,Decemberthe3rd),thecouncilmet,anddecided that the inquisitorsand threebishopsshouldseekanaudienceoftheking,andbeseechhimtopermitthemtoproceedagainsttheTemplarsinthewaythatshouldseemtothemthebestandmostexpedientforthepurposeofelicitingthetruth.OnSunday, the7th, thebishopspetitionedhismajesty inwriting,andon thefollowingTuesdaytheywentbeforehimwiththeinquisitors,andbesoughthimthatthey might proceed against the Templars according to the ecclesiasticalconstitutions,andthathewouldinstructhissheriffsandofficerstothateffect.Thekinggaveawrittenanswercomplyingwiththeirrequest,whichwasreadbeforethecouncil,* and, on the 16th of December, orders were sent to the gaolers,commandingthemtopermittheprelatesandinquisitorstodowiththebodiesoftheTemplarsthatwhichshouldseemexpedienttothemaccordingtoecclesiasticallaw.Many Templars were at this period wandering about the country disguised assecular persons, successfully evading pursuit, and the sheriffs were strictlycommanded to use every exertion to capture them.† On Wednesday, theecclesiastical council again met, and adjourned for the purpose of enabling theinquisitorstoexaminetheprisonersconfinedinthecastlesofLincolnandofYork.

*Concil.Mag.Brit,tom.ii.p.305—308.

InScotland,inthemeantime,similarproceedingshadbeeninstitutedagainsttheOrder.‡Onthe17thofNovember,BrotherWalterdeCliftonbeingexaminedintheparishchurchoftheHolyCrossatEdinburgh,beforethebishopofSt.AndrewsandJohn de Solerio, the pope’s chaplain, states that the brethren of the Order of the

Temple in the kingdomofScotland received their orders, rules, and observancesfromtheMasteroftheTempleinEngland,andthattheMasterinEnglandreceivedtherulesandobservancesoftheOrderfromtheGrandMasterandthechiefconventintheEast;thattheGrandMasterorhisdeputywasinthehabitofvisitingtheOrderinEnglandandelsewhere;ofsummoningchapters,andmakingregulationsfortheconductofthebrethrenandtheadministrationoftheirproperty.Beingaskedastothemodeofhisreception,hestatesthatwhenWilliamdelaMore,theMaster,heldhischapteratthepreceptoryofTempleBruereinthecountyofLincoln,hesoughtof theassembledbrethren thehabitand the fellowshipof theOrder; that they toldhim that he little knew what it was he asked, in seeking to be. admitted to theirfellowship; that it would be a very hard matter for him, who was then his ownmaster, to become the servant of another, and to have no will of his own; butnotwithstanding their representationsof the rigourof their rulesandobservances,hestillcontinuedearnestlytoseektheirhabitandfellowship.HestatesthattheythenledhimtothechamberoftheMaster,wheretheyheldtheirchapter,andthatthere,onhisbendedknees,andwithhishandsclasped,heagainprayedforthehabitandthefellowshipoftheTemple;thattheMasterandthebrethrenthenrequiredhimtoanswerquestionstothefollowingeffect:Whetherhehadadisputewithanyman,orowedanydebts?whetherhewasbetrothedtoanywoman?andwhetherhehadanysecret infirmity of body? or knew of anything to prevent him from remainingwithin the bosom of the fraternity? And having answered all those questionssatisfactorily,theMasterthenaskedofthesurroundingbrethren,“Doyegiveyourconsent to the receptionofbrotherWalter?”whounanimously answered that theydid;andtheMasterandthebrethrenthenstandingup,receivedthesaidWalterinthismanner.Onhisbendedknees,andwithhishandsjoined,hesolemnlypromisedthathe would be the perpetual servant of the Master, and of the Order, and of thebrethren,forthepurposeofdefendingtheHolyLand.Havingdonethis,theMastertook out of the hands of a brother chaplain of the Order the book of the holygospels,uponwhichwasdepictedacross,andlayinghishandsuponthebookandupon the cross, he swore to God and the blessed Virgin Mary to be for everthereafterchaste,obedient,andtolivewithoutproperty.AndthentheMastergavetohimthewhitemantle,andplacedthecoifonhishead,andadmittedhimtothekisson themouth, afterwhichhemadehim sit downon the ground, and admonishedhim to the following effect: that from thenceforth he was to sleep in his shirt,drawers,andstockings,girdedwithasmallcordoverhisshirt;thathewasnevertotarryinahousewheretherewasawomaninthefamilyway;nevertobepresentatamarriage,norat thepurificationofwomen;and likewise instructedand informedhimuponseveralotherparticulars.Beingaskedwherehehadpassedhistimesincehis reception, he replied that he had dwelt three years at the preceptory ofBlancradokinScotland;threeyearsatTempleNewsominEngland;oneyearatthe

TempleatLondon,andthreeyearsatAslakeby.Beingaskedconcerning:theotherbrothersinScotland,hestatedthatJohndeHuefletewasPreceptorofBlancradok,the chief house of the Order in that country, and that he and the other brethren,havingheardofthearrestoftheTemplars,threwofftheirhabitsandfled,andthathehadnotsinceheardaughtconcerningthem.

*Concil.Mag.Brit,tom.ii.p.312—314.†ActaRymeri,tom.iii.p.194,195.‡Ibid.,p.182.

JAMESDEMOLAY.A.D.1309.

BrotherWilliam deMiddleton, being examined, gave the same account of hisreception, and added that he remembered that brother William de la More, theMaster inEngland,went, inobediencetoasummons, totheGrandMasterbeyondsea, as the superior of thewhole order, and that in his absenceBrotherHugh dePeraut,thevisitor,removedseveralpreceptorsfromtheirpreceptoriesinEngland,andputothersintheirplaces.Hefurtherstates,thathesworehewouldneverreceiveanyserviceatthehandsofawoman,notevenwatertowashhishandswith.

After theexaminationof theabove twoTemplars, forty-onewitnesses, chieflyabbots, priori, monks, priests, and serving men, and retainers of the Order inScotland,were examined upon various interrogatories, but nothing of a criminalnaturewas elicited.Themonks observed that the receptions of other orderswerepublic,andwerecelebratedasgreatreligioussolemnities,andthefriends,parents,andneighboursof thepartyabout to take thevowswere invited toattend; that theTemplars, on the other hand, shrouded their proceedings inmystery and secrecy,andthereforetheysuspectedtheworst.Theprieststhoughtthemguilty,becausetheywerealwaysagainstthechurch!Otherscondemnedthembecause(astheysay)theTemplars closed their doors against the poor and the humble, and extendedhospitalityonlytotherichandthepowerful.TheabbotofthemonasteryoftheHolyCross at Edinburgh declared that they appropriated to themselves the property oftheirneighbours,rightorwrong.TheabbotofDumferlynknewnothingofhisownknowledgeagainstthem,buthadheardmuch,andsuspectedmore.TheservingmenandthetillersofthelandsoftheOrderstatedthatthechapterswereheldsometimesby night and sometimes by day, with extraordinary secrecy; and some of thewitnesseshadheardoldmensaythattheTemplarswouldneverhavelost theHolyLandyiftheyhadbeengoodChristians!*

JAMESDEMOLAY.A.D.1309.

Onthe9thofJanuary,A.D.1310,theexaminationofwitnesseswasresumedatLondon,intheparishchurchofSt.Dunstan’sWest,neartheTemple.Therectorofthe church ofSt.Mary de laStrode declared that he had strong suspicions of theguiltof theTemplars;hehad,however,oftenbeenat theTemplechurch,andhad

observedthatthepriestsperformeddivineservicetherejustthesameaselsewhere.WilliamdeCumbrook, of St.Clement’s church, near theTemple, the vicar of St.Martin’s-in-the-Fields,andmanyotherpriestsandclergymenofdifferentchurchesinLondon,alldeclaredthattheyhadnothingtoallegeagainsttheOrder.†

Onthe27thofJanuary,BrotherJohndeStoke,aservingbrotheroftheOrderoftheTemple,ofseventeenyears’standing,beingexaminedby the inquisitors in thechapelof theBlessedMaryofBerkyngecherclie atLondon, states, amongstotherthings, that secular personswere allowed tobepresent at theburial ofTemplars;thatthebrethrenoftheOrderallreceivedthesacramentsofthechurchattheirlasthour,andwereattendedtothegravebyachaplainoftheTemple.BeinginterrogatedconcerningthedeathandburialoftheKnightTemplarBrotherWalterleBachelor,hedeposes that the saidknightwasburied like anyotherChristian, except thathewasnotburiedintheburyingground,butinthecourt,ofthehouseoftheTempleatLondon;thatheconfessedtoBrotherRicharddeGrafton,apriestoftheOrder,thenintheislandofCyprus,andpartook,ashebelieved,ofthesacrament.HestatesthathehimselfandBrotherRadulphdeBartoncarriedhimtohisgraveatthedawnofday,andthatthedeceasedknightwasinprison,ashebelieves,forthespaceofeightweeks;thathewasnotburiedinthehabitofhisorder,andwasinterredwithoutthecemetery of the brethren, because he was considered to be excommunicated, inpursuance,ashebelieved,ofaruleorstatuteamongtheTemplars,totheeffectthatevery one who privily made away with the property of the Order, and did notacknowledgehisfault,wasdeemedexcommunicated.Beingaskedinwhatrespectheconsideredthathisorderrequiredreformation,hereplied,“Bytheestablishmentofaprobationofoneyear,andbymakingthereceptionspublic.”

* Et ad evidentius præmissorum testimonium reverendus in Christo pater dominus Willielmus, providentiâdivinâS.Andreæepiscopus,etmagisterJohannesdeSolerioprædictisigillasuapræsentiinquisitioniappenderunt,eteisdemsigillispostsubscriptionemmeameandeminquisitionemclauserunt.InquorumetiamfirmiustestimoniumegoWillielmus de Spottiswod auctoritate imperiali notarius qui prædictæ inquisitioni interfui die, anno, et locoprædictis, testibusprasentibussupradictis,signummeumsolitumeidemapposuirequisitas,etpropriâmanuscripsirogatus.—AdacontraTemplarios.Concil.Mag.Brit.,tom.ii.p.380,383.

†Act.inecclesiâparochialiS.DunstanipropeNovumTemplum.—Ib.,p.349.

Two other Templars were examined on the same 27th day of January, fromwhosedepositionsitappearsthattherewereatthattimemanybrethrenoftheOrder,nativesofEngland,intheislandofCyprus.

On the 29th of January, the inquisitors exhibited twenty-four fresh articlesagainsttheprisoners,drawnupinanartfulmanner.Theywereaskediftheyknewanything of the crimesmentioned in the papal bulls, and confessed by theGrandMaster,theheadsoftheOrder,andmanyknightsinFrance;andwhethertheyknewofanythingsinfulordishonourableagainsttheMasteroftheTempleinEngland,orthepreceptors,oranyofthebrethren.Theywerethenrequiredtosaywhetherthesamerules,customs,andobservancesdidnotprevail throughout theentireorder;

whethertheGrandPreceptors,andespeciallytheGrandPreceptorofEngland,didnotreceivealltheobservancesandregulationsfromtheGrandMaster;andwhethertheGrandPreceptorsandallthebrethrenoftheOrderinEnglanddidnotobservetheminthesamemodeastheGrandMaster,andvisitors,andthebrethreninCyprusand in Italy,and in theotherkingdoms,provinces,andpreceptoriesof theOrder;whether the observances and regulations were not commonly delivered by thevisitors to theGrandPreceptor ofEngland; andwhether the brothers received inEngland or elsewhere had not of their own free will confessed what theseobservanceswere.Theywere,moreover,requiredtostatewhetherabellwasrung,orothersignalgiven,tonotifythetimeoftheassemblingofthechapter;whetherallthe brethren, without exception, were summoned and in the habit of attending;whether the Grand Master could relax penances imposed by the regular clergy;whether theybelieved that theGrandPreceptororvisitor couldabsolvea laymanwhohadbeenexcommunicatedforlayinghandsonabrotherorlayservantoftheOrder;andwhethertheybelievedthatanybrotheroftheOrdercouldabsolvefromthe sin of perjury a lay servant, when he came to receive the discipline in theTemple-hall,andtheservingbrotherscourgedhiminthenameoftheFather,andoftheSon,andoftheHolyGhost,&c.&c.

Betweenthe29thofJanuaryandthe6thofFebruary,thirty-fourTemplars,manyofwhom appeared for the first time before the inquisitors, were examined uponthese articles in the churches of St. Botolph without Aldgate, St. Alphage nearCripplegate,andSt.MartindeLudgate,London.Theydenyeverythingofacriminalnature, and declare that the abominations mentioned in the confessions anddepositions made in France were not observances of the Order; that the GrandMaster,Preceptors,visitors,andbrethreninFrancehadneverobservedsuchthings,and if they said they had, they lied. They declare that the Grand Preceptor andbrethreninEnglandwereallgoodmen,worthyoffaith,andwouldnotdeviatefromthetruthbyreasonofhatredofanyman,forfavour,reward,oranyothercause;thatthere had been no suspicion inEngland against them, and no evil reports currentagainsttheOrderbeforethepublicationofthepapalbull,andtheydidnotthinkthatany good man would believe the contents of the articles to be true. From thestatementsoftheprisoners,itappearsthatthebelloftheTemplewasrungtonotifytheassemblingofthechapter,thatthedisciplinewasadministeredinthehall,inthepresenceoftheassembledbrethren,bytheMaster,whopunishedthedelinquentonthe bare back with a scourge made of leathern thongs, after which he himselfabsolved the offender from the guilt of a transgression against the rule of theOrder;but ifhehadbeenguiltyof immoralconduct,hewassent to thepriest forabsolution.Itappearsalso,thatBrotherJamesdeMolay,beforehiselevationtotheofficeofGrandMaster,wasvisitoroftheOrderinEngland,andhadheldchaptersor assemblies of the brethren, at which he had enforced certain rules and

regulations;thatalltheOrderscamefromtheGrandMasterandchiefconventintheEast to theGrand Preceptor of England,who caused them to be published at thedifferentpreceptories.*

JAMESDEMOLAY.A.D.1310.

Onthe1stofMarch,thekingsentorderstotheconstableoftheTower,andtothesheriffsofLincolnandofYork,toobeythedirectionsoftheinquisitors,orofonebishopandofoneinquisitor,withregardtotheconfinementoftheTemplarsinseparate cells, and he assignsWilliam de Diene to assist the inquisitors in theirarrangements.SimilarorderswereshortlyafterwardssenttoallthegaolersoftheTemplarsintheEnglishdominions.†

Onthe3rdofMarchfivefreshinterrogatorieswereexhibitedbytheinquisitors,upon which thirty-one Templars were examined at the palace of the bishop ofLondon,thechapelofSt.Alphage,andthechapter-houseoftheHolyTrinity.Theywerechiefly concerning the receptionandprofessionof thebrethren, thenumberthateachexaminanthadseenreceived,theirnames,andastowhethertheburialsoftheOrderwereconductedinaclandestinemanner.FromtherepliesitappearsthatmanyTemplarshaddiedduringtheirimprisonmentintheTower.Thetwenty-sixthprisonerexaminedwastheMasteroftheTemple,BrotherWilliamdelaMore,whogivesanaccountofthenumberofpersonshehadadmittedintotheOrderduringtheperiod of his mastership, specifying their names. It is stated that many of theparishioners of the parish adjoining the New Temple had been present at theintermentofthebrethrenofthefraternity,andthattheburialswerenotconductedinaclandestinemanner.

*ActacontraTemplarios.Concil.Mag.Brit.,tom.ii.p.350,351,352.‡ActaRymeri,torn,iii.adann.1310.p.202,203.

In Ireland, in themean time, similar proceedings against the Order had beencarriedon.Betweenthe11thofFebruaryandthe23rdofMay,thirtyTemplarswereexamined in Saint Patrick’s Church, Dublin, by Master John de Mareshall, thepope’scommissary,butnoevidenceoftheirguiltwasobtained.Forty-onewitnesseswerethenheard,nearlyallofwhomweremonks.Theyspokemerelyfromhearsayandsuspicion,andthegravestchargesbroughtbythemagainstthefraternityappearto be, that theTemplars had been observed to be inattentive to the reading of theholyGospelsatchurch,andtohavecasttheireyesonthegroundattheperiodoftheelevationofthehost.*

JAMESDEMOLAY.A.D.1310.

Onthe30thofMarchthepapalinquisitorsopenedtheircommissionatLincoln,andbetween thatdayand the10thofApril twentyTemplarswereexamined in thechapter-houseof thecathedral,amongstwhomweresomeof theveteranwarriors

ofPalestine,menwhohadmoistenedwith theirblood thedistantplainsof the farEastindefenceofthatfaithwhichtheywerenowsoinfamouslyaccusedofhavingrepudiated.BrotherWilliamdeWinchester,amemberoftwenty-sixyears’standing,hadbeenreceivedintotheOrderatthecastledelaRocaGuille intheprovinceofArmenia,borderingonPalestine,bythevaliantGrandMasterWilliamdeBeaujeu.He states that the same mode of reception existed there as in England, andeverywhere throughout the Order. Brother Robert de Hamilton declares that thegirdleswerewornfromanhonourablemotive,thattheywerecalledthegirdlesofNazareth, because they had been pressed against the column of theVirgin at thatplace, and were worn in remembrance of the blessedMary; but he says that thebrethrenwerenotcompelled towear them,butmightmakeuseofanygirdle thattheyliked.WithregardtotheconfessionsmadeinFrance,theyallsaythatiftheirbrethreninthatcountryconfessedsuchthings,theylied!†

AtYork theexaminationcommencedon the28thofApril, and lasteduntil the4thofMay,duringwhichperiod twenty-threeTemplars,prisoners inYorkCastle,wereexaminedin thechapter-houseof thecathedral,andfollowedtheexampleoftheir brethren in maintaining their innocence. Brother Thomas de Stanford, amemberofthirtyyears’standing,hadbeenreceivedintheEastbytheGrandMasterWilliam de Beaujeu, and Brother Radulph de Rostona, a priest of the Order, oftwenty-threeyears’standing,hadbeenreceivedatthepreceptoryofLentiniinSicilybyBrotherWilliamdeCanello, theGrandPreceptorofSicily.BrotherStephendeRadenhall refused to reveal themode of reception, because it formed part of thesecrets of the chapter, and if he discovered them he would lose his chamber, bestrippedofhismantle,orbecommittedtoprison.*

*ActaRymeritom.iii.p.179,180.Concil.Mag,Brit,tom.ii.p.373to380.†Terroretormentorumconfessisuntetmentiti.—Concil.Mag.Brit.,tom.ii.p.365,366,367.

JAMESDEMOLAY.A.D.1310.

Onthe20thofMay,inobediencetothemandateofthearchbishopofYork,anecclesiastical council of the bishops and clergy assembled in the cathedral. Themass of the Holy Ghost was solemnly celebrated, after which the archbishoppreached a sermon, and then caused to be read to the assembled clergy the papalbullsfulminatedagainsttheOrderoftheTemple.†HeexhibitedtothemthearticlesuponwhichtheTemplarshadbeendirectedtobeexamined;butastheinquirywasstillpending,thecouncilwasadjourneduntilthe23rdofJuneofthefollowingyear,whentheyweretomeettopasssentenceofcondemnation,orofabsolution,againstall the members of the Order in the province of York, in conformity withecclesiasticallaw.‡

Onthe1stofJunetheexaminationwasresumedbeforethepapalinquisitorsatLincoln. Sixteen Templars were examined upon points connected with the secret

proceedings in thegeneralandparticularchaptersof theOrder, the impositionofpenances therein,andthenatureof theabsolutiongrantedbytheMaster.Fromtherepliesitappearsthatthepenitentswerescourgedthreetimeswithleathernthongs,inthenameoftheFather,andoftheSon,andoftheHolyGhost,afterwhichtheywere absolved either by theMaster or by a priest of theOrder, according to theparticularcircumstancesofeachcase.Itappears,also,thatnonebutpreceptorswerepresentatthegeneralchaptersoftheOrder,whichwerecalledtogetherprincipallyfor the purpose of obtaining money to send to the Grand Master and the chiefconventinPalestine.§

*DespositionesTemplarioruminProvinciâEboracensi.––Concil.Mag.Brit.,tom.ii.p.371––373.†Eodemanno(1310)XIX.DieMaiiapudEboruminecclesiacathedrali,examndatospecialiDominiPapæ,

enuit dominus Archiepiscopus concilium provinciale. Prædicavitque et erat suum thema; omnes isti conregativenerunttibi,factoquesermone,recitavitetlegifecitsequentembullamhorribilemcontraTemplarios,&c.&c.HemingfordapudHearne,vol.i.p.249.

‡ Processus observatus in concilio provinciali Eboracensi in ecclesia beati Petri Ebor. contra TemplarioscelebratoA.D.1310,ex.Reg.Will.GrenefeldArchiepiscopiEborum,fol.179,p.1.––Concil.Mag.Brit.,tom.ii.p.393.

§Concil.Mag.Brit.,tom.ii.p.367.

JAMESDEMOLAY.A.D.1310.

AfterclosingtheexaminationsatLincoln,theabbotofLagnyandthecanonofNarbonnereturnedtoLondon,andimmediatelyresumedtheinquiryinthatcity.Onthe8thand9thdaysofJune,BrotherWilliamdelaMore,theMasteroftheTemple,and thirty-eight of his knights, chaplains, and sergeants, were examined by theinquisitorsinthepresenceofthebishopsofLondonandChichester,andthebefore-mentionedpublicnotaries,intheprioryoftheHolyTrinity.Theywereinterrogatedforthemostpartconcerningthepenancesimposed,andtheabsolutionpronouncedin the chapters. The Master of the Temple was required to state what were theprecise words uttered by him, as the president of the chapter, when a penitentbrother,havingbaredhisbackandacknowledgedhisfault,cameintohispresenceandreceivedthedisciplineoftheleathernthongs.Hestatesthathewasinthehabitofsaying,“Brother,praytoGodthathemayforgiveyouandtothebystandershesaid, “And do ye, brothers, beseech the Lord to forgive him his sins, and say apater-noster;”andthathesaidnothingfurther,excepttowarntheoffenderagainstsinningagain.HedeclaresthathedidnotpronounceabsolutioninthenameoftheFather,andoftheSon,andoftheHolyGhost!andrelates,thatinageneralchapter,andasoftenasheheldaparticularchapter,hewasaccustomedtosay,afterprayershad been offered up, that all those who did not acknowledge their sins, or whoappropriated to theirownuse thealmsof thehouse,couldnotbepartakers in thespiritualblessingsoftheOrder;butthatwhichthroughshame-facedness,orthroughfear of the justice of the Order, they dared not confess, he, out of the powerconcededtohimbyGodandthepope,forgavehimasfarashewasable.Brother

WilliamdeSautre,however,declaresthatthepresidentofthechapter,afterhehadfinished theflagellationofapenitentbrother,said,“I forgiveyou, in thenameoftheFather,andoftheSon,andoftheHolyGhost,”andthensenthimtoapriestoftheOrderforabsolution;andtheotherwitnessesvaryintheiraccountoftheexactwordsuttered,eitherbecausetheyweredetermined,inobediencetotheiroaths,nottorevealwhatactuallydidtakeplace,orelse(whichisveryprobable)becausethesameformofproceedingwasnotalwaysrigidlyadheredto.

When the examination was closed, the inquisitors drew up a memorandum,showingthat,fromtheapostolicalletters,andthedepositionsandattestationsofthewitnesses,itwastobecollectedthatcertainpracticeshadcreptintotheOrderoftheTemple,whichwerenotconsistentwiththeorthodoxfaith.*

*ActacontraTemplarios.Concil.Mag.Brit.,tom.ii.p.358.

CHAPTERX.TheTemplarsinFrancerevoketheirrack-extortedconfessions—Theyaretriedasrelapsedheretics,andburntat

thestake—TheprogressoftheinquiryinEngland—ThecuriousevidenceadducedastothemodeofholdingthechaptersoftheOrder—Astothepenanceenjoinedtherein,andtheabsolutionpronouncedbytheMaster—TheTemplarsdrawupawrittendefence,whichtheypresenttotheecclesiasticalcouncil—Theyareplacedin separate dungeons, and put to the torture—Two serving brethren and a chaplain of theOrder thenmakeconfessions—ManyotherTemplarsacknowledgethemselvesguiltyofheresyinrespectoftheirbeliefinthereligiousauthorityoftheirMaster—Theymaketheirrecantations,andarereconciledtothechurchbeforethesouth door of Saint Paul’s cathedral—The order of theTemple is abolished by the Pope—The last of theMasters of the Temple in England dies in the Tower—The disposal of the property of the Order—ObservationsonthedownfalloftheTemplars.

Veggio‘1nuovoPilatosìcrudele,Checionolsazia,ma,senzadecretoPortanelTEMPIOlecupidevele.

Dante.DelPurgatorio.Cantoxx.91.

JAMESDEMOLAY.A.D.1310.

INFrance,ontheotherhand,theproceedingsagainsttheOrderhadassumedamost sanguinary character.ManyTemplars, both in the capital and the provinces,had made confessions of guilt whilst suffering upon the rack, but they had nosoonerbeen released fromthehandsof their tormentors,andhad recovered theirhealth, than they disavowed their confessions, maintained the innocence of theirorder, and appealed to all their gallant actions, in ancient and modern times, inrefutation of the calumnies of their enemies. The enraged Philip caused theseTemplars to be brought before an ecclesiastical tribunal convoked at Paris, andsentenceofdeathwaspasseduponthembythearchbishopofSens,inthefollowingterms:

“Youhaveavowed,”saidhe,“thatthebrethrenwhoarereceivedintotheOrderof theTemple are compelled to renounceChrist and spit upon the cross, and thatyouyourselveshaveparticipatedinthatcrime:youhavethusacknowledgedthatyouhave fallen into the sin of heresy. By your confession and repentance you hadmerited absolution, and had oncemore become reconciled to the church.As youhaverevokedyourconfession,thechurchnolongerregardsyouasreconciled,butashavingfallenback toyour firsterrors.Youare, therefore, relapsedheretics (!)andassuch,wecondemnyoutothefire.”*

JAMESDEMOLAYA.D.1310

The following morning, (Tuesday,May 12), in pursuance of this absurd andatrocious sentence, fifty-fourTemplarswere handedover to the secular arm, andwereledouttoexecutionbytheking’sofficers.Theywereconductedintotheopencountry,intheenvironsofthePorteSt.AntoinedesChampsatParis,andwereburntto death in a most cruel manner before a slow fire. All historians speak with

admirationoftheheroismandintrepiditywithwhichtheymettheirfate.†ManyhundredotherTemplarsweredraggedfromthedungeonsofParisbefore

thearchbishopofSensandhiscouncil.Thosewhomneithertheagonyofthetorturenorthefearofdeathcouldovercome,butwhoremainedstedfastamidalltheirtrialsin themaintenanceof the innocenceof theirOrder,were condemned toperpetualimprisonmentasunreconciledheretics;whilstthosewho,havingmadetherequiredconfessions of guilt, continued to persevere in them, received absolution, weredeclaredreconciledtothechurch,andweresetatliberty.Notwithstandingtheterrorinspiredbytheseexecutions,manyoftheTemplarsstillpersistedintherevocationoftheirconfessions,whichtheystigmatizedastheresultofinsufferabletorture,andboldlymaintainedtheinnocenceoftheirorder.

On the 18th of August, four other Templars were condemned as relapsedhereticsbythecouncilofSens,andwerelikewiseburnedbythePorteSt.Antoine;anditisstatedthatahundredandthirteenTemplarswerefromfirsttolastburntatthe stake in Paris. Many others were burned in Lorraine; in Normandy; atCarcassone,andnine,or,accordingtosomewriters,twenty-nine,wereburntbythearchbishopofRheimsatSenlis!KingPhilip’sofficers,indeed,notcontentwiththeirinhumancrueltytowardstheliving,invadedthesanctityofthetomb;theydraggedadeadTemplar,whohadbeenTreasureroftheTempleatParis,fromhisgrave,andburntthemoulderingcorpseasaheretic.‡

Inthemidstofallthesesanguinaryatrocities,theexaminationscontinuedbeforetheecclesiasticaltribunals.Manyagedandillustriouswarriors,whomeritedabetterfate, appeared before their judges pale and trembling. At first they revoked theirconfessions, declared their innocence, and were remanded to prison; and then,panic-stricken,theydemandedtobeledbackbeforethepapalcommissioners,whenthey abandoned their retractations, persisted in their previous avowals of guilt,humblyexpressedtheirsorrowandrepentance,andwerethenpardoned,absolved,and reconciled to thechurch!The torture still continued tobeapplied, andoutofthirty-threeTemplarsconfined in thechateaud’Alaix, fourdied inprison,and theremainingtwentyconfessed,amongstotherthings,thefollowingabsurdities:—thatintheprovincialchapteroftheOrderheldatMontpelier,theTemplarssetupaheadand worshipped it; that the devil often appeared there in the shape of a cat, andconversedwiththeassembledbrethren,andpromisedthemagoodharvest,withthepossessionofriches,andallkindsoftemporalproperty.Someassertedthattheheadworshippedby thefraternitypossesseda longbeard;others that itwasawoman’shead; and one of the prisoners declared that as often as thiswonderful headwasadored, a great number of devilsmade their appearance in the shape of beautifulwomen…!!*

*Joan.can.Sanct.Vict.Contin.DeNangisadann.1310.ExsecundâvitâClem.V.p.37.† Chron. Cornel. Zanfliet, apudMartene, tom. v. col. 159. Bocat. de cas. vir. illustr. Lib. 9. chap. xxi.

Raynouard,Monumenshistoriques.Dupuy,CondemnationdeTempliers.

‡Vit.prim,ettert.Clem.V.col.57,17.Bern.Guac.apudMuratori,tom.iii.p.676.Contin.Chron.deNangisadann1310.Raynouard,p.120.

JAMESDEMOLAY.A.D.1310.

WemustnowunfoldthedarkpageinthehistoryoftheOrderinEngland.AlltheTemplars in custody in this country had been examined separately and apart, andhad,notwithstanding,deposed in substance to the sameeffect, andgiven the sameaccount of their reception into the Order, and of the oaths that they took. Anyreasonableandimpartialmindwouldconsequentlyhavebeensatisfiedof thetruthoftheirstatements;butitwasnottheobjectoftheinquisitorstoobtainevidenceoftheinnocence,butproofoftheguilt,oftheOrder.Atfirst,kingEdwardtheSecond,tohishonour,forbadetheinflictionoftortureupontheillustriousmembersoftheTempleinhisdominions—menwhohadfoughtandbledforChristendom,andofwhosepietyandmoralshehadashort timebeforegivensuchampletestimonytotheprincipalsovereignsofEurope.Butthevirtuousresolutionoftheweakkingwasspeedilyovercomebytheall-powerfulinfluenceoftheRomanpontiff,whowroteto him in themonth of June, upbraiding him for preventing the inquisitors fromsubmitting the Templars to the discipline of the rack.† Influenced by theadmonitionsof thepope, and the solicitationsof the clergy,KingEdward, on the26th of August, sent orders to John de Crumbewell, constable of the Tower, todeliver up all theTemplars inhis custody, at the request of the inquisitors, to thesheriffs of London, in order that the inquisitors might be able to proceed moreconvenientlyandeffectuallywiththeirinquisition.‡AndonthesamedayhedirectedthesheriffstoreceivetheprisonersfromtheconstableoftheTower,andcausethemtobeplacedinthecustodyofgaolersappointedbytheinquisitors,tobeconfinedinprisonsorsuchotherconvenientplacesinthecityofLondonastheinquisitorsandbishopsshouldthinkexpedient,andgenerallytopermitthemtodowiththebodiesoftheTemplarswhatevershouldseemfitting,inaccordancewithecclesiasticallaw.Hedirects,also,thatfromthenceforththeTemplarsshouldreceivetheirsustenanceatthehandsofsuchnewly-appointedgaolers.*

*Raynouard,p.155.† Inhibuisti ne contra ipsas personas et ordinem per quœstiones ad inquirendum super eisdem criminibus

procedatur,quamvisiidemTemplariidiffiteridicuntursupereisdemarticulisveritatem.….Attende,quæssumus,filicarissime,etprudentideliberationeconsidera,sihoctuohonorietsaluticonveniat,etstatuicongruatregnitui.Arch.Secret.Vatican.Registr.Literar.curiæanno5dominiClementisPapæ5.—Raynourad,p.152.

‡ActaRymeri,tom.iii.adann.1310,p.224.

On the Tuesday after the feast of St. Matthew, (Sept. 21st), the ecclesiasticalcouncil again assembled at London, and caused the inquisitions and depositionstaken against the Templars to be read, which being done, great disputes arosetouching various alterations observable in them. It was at length ordered that theTemplarsshouldbeagainconfinedinseparatecellsintheprisonsofLondon;that

freshinterrogatoriesshouldbeprepared,toseeifbysuchmeansthetruthcouldbeextracted, and if by straitenings and confinement they would confess nothingfurther,thenthetorturewastobeapplied;butitwasprovidedthattheexaminationbytortureshouldbeconductedwithouttheperpetualmutilationordisablingofanylimb,andwithoutaviolenteffusionofblood!AndtheinquisitorsandthebishopsofLondon andChichesterwere to notify the result to the archbishop ofCanterbury,thathemightagainconvenetheassemblyforthepurposeofpassingsentence,eitherof absolution or of condemnation. These resolutions having been adopted, thecouncilwasprorogued,onthefollowingSaturday,dedieindiem,untilthefeastoftheExaltationoftheHolyCross,A.D.1311.†

Onthe6thofOctober,afortnightaftertheaboveresolutionhadbeenformedbythecouncil, thekingsent fresh instructions to theconstableof theTower, and thesheriffs of London, directing them to deliver up the Templars, one at a time, oraltogether, and receive themback in the sameway, at thewill of the inquisitors.‡The gaolers of these unhappy gentlemen seem to have been more merciful andconsiderate than their judges,and tohavemanifested thegreatest reluctance toactupon the Orders sent from the king. On the 23rd of October, further and morepreremptory commandswere forwarded to the constable of the Tower, distinctlyinforminghim that theking,onaccountofhis respect for theholy apostolic see,hadlatelyconcededtotheprelatesandinquisitorsdeputedtotakeinquisitionagainstthe Order of the Temple, and the Grand Preceptor of that order in England, thepowerofordering anddisposingof theTemplars and their bodies, of examiningthem by torture or otherwise, and of doing to them whatever they should deemexpedient, according to the ecclesiastical law; and he again strictly enjoins theconstabletodeliverupalltheTemplarsinhiscustody,eithertogetherorseparately,orinanywaythattheinquisitorsoronebishopandoneinquisitormaydirect,andto receive thembackwhen required so to do.*Correspondingorderswere againsenttothesheriffs,commandingthem,attherequisitionoftheinquisitors,togettheTemplars out of the hands of the constable of the Tower, to guard them inconvenientprisons,andtopermitcertainpersonsdeputedbytheinquisitorstoseethattheimprisonmentwasproperlycarriedintoeffect,todowiththebodiesoftheTemplarswhatever they should think fit according to ecclesiastical law.When theinquisitors,orthepersonsappointedbythem,haddonewiththeTemplarswhattheypleased, they were to deliver them back to the constable of the Tower, or hislieutenant, theretobekept incustodyasbefore.†Orderswerelikewisesent totheconstable of the castle of Lincoln, and to the mayor and bailiffs of the city ofLincoln, to the same effect. The king also directed Roger de Wyngefeld, clerk,guardianof the landsof theTemplars,andWilliamPlummer,sub-guardianof themanorofCressing,tofurnishtotheking’sofficersthesumsrequiredforthekeep,andfortheexpensesofthedetentionofthebrethrenoftheOrder.‡

*Ib.,p.224,225.claus.4.E.2.M.22.† Et si per hujusmodi arctationes et separations nihil aliud, quam prius, vellent confiteri, quod extunc

quœstionarentur, ita quod quœstiones illæ fierent ABSQUE MUTILATIONE ET DEBILITATIONEPERPETUAALICUJUSMEMBRI,ETSINEVIOLENTASANGUINISEFFUSIONE.—CondiMag.Brit,tom.ii.p.314.

‡ActaRymeri,tom.iii.p.227,228.

JAMESDEMOLAY.A.D.1310.

On the 22nd of November the king condescended to acquaint the mayor,aldermen,andcommonaltyofhisfaithfulcityofLondon, thatoutofreverencetothepopehehadauthorisedtheinquisitors,sentoverbyhisholiness,toquestiontheTemplars by torture; he puts them in possession of theOrders he had sent to theconstableoftheTower,andtothesheriffs;andhecommandsthem,incaseitshouldbenotifiedtothembytheinquisitorsthattheprisonsprovidedbythesheriffswereinsufficientfortheirpurposes,toprocurewithoutfailfitandconvenienthousesinthecity,ornearthereto,forcarryingintoeffectthecontemplatedmeasures;andhegraciously informs them thathewill reimburse themall theexpenses thatmaybeincurredbythemortheirofficersinfulfillinghiscommands.§Shortlyafterwardsthe king again wrote to the mayor, aldermen, and commonalty of London,acquaintingthemthatthesheriffshadmadeareturntohiswrit,totheeffectthatthefourgates(prisons)ofthecitywerenotundertheircharge,andthattheycouldnottherefore obtain them for the purposes required; and he commands the mayor,aldermen,andcommonalty,toplacethosefourgatesatthedisposalofthesheriffs.*

* Cum nuper, OB REVERIENTIAM SEDIS APOSTOLICÆ, concessimus prælatis et inquisitoribus adinquirendum contra ordinem Templariorum, et contra Magnum Præceptorem ejusdem ordinis in regno nostraAngliæ,quodiidemprælatietinquisitores,deipsisTemplariiseteorumcorporibusinquiÆstionibus,etaliisadhocconvenientibus ordinent et faciant, quoties voluerint, id quod eis secundum legem ecclesiasticam, videbiturfaciendum,&c.—TesteregeapudLinliscuinScotià,23dieOctobris.Ibid.tom.iii.p.228,229.

†ActaRymeri,tom.iii.p.229.‡Ibid.p.230.§ActaRymeri,tom.iii.p.231.

JAMESDEMOLAY.A.D.1311.

On the 12th of December, all the Templars in custody at Lincoln were, bycommandoftheking,broughtuptoLondon,andplacedinsolitaryconfinementindifferent prisons and private houses provided by themayor and sheriffs. Shortlyafterwards orders were given for all the Templars in custody in London to beloadedwithchainsandfetters;themyrmidonsoftheinquisitorsweretobeallowedto make periodical visits to see that the imprisonment was properly carried intoeffect,andweretobeallowedtotorturethebodiesoftheTemplarsinanywaythattheymightthinkfit.†

Onthe30thofMarch,A.D.1311,aftersomemonths’ trialof theaboveseveremeasures, theexaminationwas resumedbefore the inquisitors, and thebishopsofLondon and Chichester, at the several churches of St. Martin’s, Ludgate, and St.

Botolph’s,Bishopsgate.TheTemplarshadnowbeen inprison inEngland for thespaceofthreeyearsandsomemonths.Duringthewholeofthepreviouswintertheyhadbeen confined in chains in thedungeonsof the city ofLondon, compelled toreceivetheirscantysupplyoffoodfromtheofficersoftheinquisition,andtosufferfromcold, fromhunger, and from torture.Theyhadbeenmade to endure all thehorrorsofsolitaryconfinement,andhadnonetosolaceortocheerthemduringthelong hours of their melancholy captivity. They had been already condemnedcollectivelybythepope,asmembersofanhereticalandidolatroussociety,andaslong as they continued to persist in the truth of their first confessions, and in theavowal of their innocence, they were treated as obstinate, unreconciled heretics,living in a state of excommunication, and doomed, when dead, to everlastingpunishmentinhell.TheyhadheardofthemiserablefateoftheirbrethreninFrance,and theyknewthat thosewhohadconfessedcrimesofwhich theyhadneverbeenguilty,hadbeenimmediatelydeclaredreconciledtothechurch,hadbeenabsolvedand set at liberty, and they knew that freedom, pardon, and peace could beimmediately purchased by a confession of guilt; notwithstanding allwhich, everyTemplar,atthislastexamination,persistedinthemaintenanceofhisinnocence,andin the denial of all knowledge of, or participation in, the crimes and heresiesimputedtotheOrder.Theydeclarethateverythingthatwasdoneintheirchapters,inrespectofabsolution,thereceptionofbrethren,andothermatters,washonourableandhonest,andmightwellandlawfullybedone;thatitwasinnowisehereticalorvicious; and thatwhateverwas donewas from the appointment, approbation, andregulationofall thebrethren.*Fromtheirstatements,itappearsthattheMasterofthe Temple in England was in the habit of summoning a general chapter of theOrderonceayear,atwhichthepreceptorsofIrelandandofScotlandwerepresent.ThesewerealwayscalledtogethertotakeintoconsiderationtheaffairsoftheHolyLand,andtodetermineonsendingsuccourtotheirbrethrenintheEast.Atthecloseof their examination the Templars were again sent back to their dungeons, andloaded with chains; and the inquisitors, disappointed of the desired confessions,addressedthemselvestotheenemiesoftheOrderforthenecessaryproofsofguilt.

*Ibid.p.231,232.†Ibid.tom.iii.p.232—235.

DuringthemonthofApril,seventy-twowitnesseswereexaminedinthechapter-houseof theHolyTrinity.Theywerenearlyallmonks,Carmelites,Augustinians,Dominicans,andMinorites;theirevidenceisallhearsay,andthenatureofitwillbeseenfromthefollowingchoicespecimens.

HenryThanet,anIrishman,hadheardthatBrotherHughdeNipurias,aTemplar,deserted from the castle of Tortosa in Palestine, and went over to the Saracens,abjuringtheChristianfaith;andthatacertainpreceptorofthePilgrim’sCastlewas

in thehabitofmakingall thebrethrenhereceivedinto theOrderdenyChrist;butthewitnesswasunabletogiveeitherthenameofthepreceptororofthepersonssoreceived.HehadalsoheardthatacertainTemplarhadinhiscustodyabrazenheadwithtwofaces,whichwouldanswerallquestionsputtoit!

Master John de Nassington declared that Milo de Stapelton and Adam deEverington,knights,toldhimthattheyhadoncebeeninvitedtoagreatfeastatthepreceptoryofTemplehurst,andwerethereinformedthattheTemplarscelebratedasolemnfestivalonceayear,atwhichtheyworshippedacalf!

JohndeEure, knight, sheriff of the countyofYork, deposed that hehadonceinvitedBrotherWilliamde laFenne,Preceptor ofWesdall, to dinewithhim, andthatafterdinnerthepreceptordrewabookoutofhisbosom,anddeliveredittotheknight’sladytoread,whofoundapieceofpaperfastenedintothebook,onwhichwerewritten abominable, heretical doctrines, to the effect that Christwas not theSonofGod,norbornofavirgin,butconceivedoftheseedofJoseph,thehusbandofMary,after themannerofothermen,and thatChristwasnota truebuta falseprophet,andwasnotcrucifiedfortheredemptionofmankind,butforhisownsins,and many other things contrary to the Christian faith. On the production of thisimportantevidence,BrotherWilliamdelaFennewascalledinandinterrogated;headmittedthathehaddinedwiththesheriffofYork,andhadlenthisladyabooktoread,buthesworethathewasignorantofthepieceofpaperfastenedintothebook,andofitscontents.ItappearsthatthesheriffofYorkhadkeptthisdangeroussecrettohimselfforthespaceofsixyears!

*ActacontraTemplartos,Concil.Mag.Brit.tom.ii.p.368—371.

JAMESDEMOLAY.A.D.1311.

WilliamdelaForde,apriest, rectorof thechurchofCroftonin thedioceseofYork,hadheardWilliamdeReynbur,priestoftheOrderofSt.Augustine,whowasthen dead, say, that the Templar, Brother Patrick of Rippon, son of William ofGloucester, had confessed to him, that at his entrance into theOrder, hewas led,clothedonlyinhisshirtandtrousers,throughalongpassagetoasecretchamber,and was theremade to deny his God and his Saviour; that he was then shown arepresentation of the crucifixion, and was told that since he had previouslyhonouredthatemblemhemustnowdishonouritandspituponit,andthathedidso.“Itemdictumfuiteiquod,depositisbrachis,dorsumverteretadcrucifixum,”andthishedidbitterlyweeping.Afterthistheybroughtanimage,asitwere,ofacalf,placeduponanaltar,andtheytoldhimhemustkissthatimage,andworshipit,andhedidso,andafterallthistheycovereduphiseyesandledhimabout,kissingandbeingkissedbyallthebrethren,buthecouldnotrecollectinwhatpart.Theworthypriestwasaskedwhenhehadfirstheardallthesethings,andherepliedafterthearrestofthebrethrenbytheking’sorders!

Robert of Oteringham, senior of the Order of Minorites, stated that on oneoccasionhewas partakingof the hospitality of theTemplars at the preceptoryofRibstaneinYorkshire,andthatwhengracehadbeensaidaftersupper,thechaplainof theOrder reprimanded thebrethrenof theTemple, saying to them, “Thedevilwillburnyou,”orsomesuchwords;andhearingabustleamongstthem,hegotuptoseewhatwasthematter,and,asfarasherecollects,hesawoneofthebrothersofthe Temple, “brachis depositis, tenentem faciem versus occidentem et posterioraversus altare!” Being askedwho it was that did this, he says he does not exactlyremember.Hethengoesontostate,thatabouttwentyyearsbeforethattime!hewasagain the guest of theTemplars, at the preceptory ofWetberby (query Feriby) inYorkshire,andwheneveningcameheheard that thepreceptorwasnotcoming tosupper,ashewasarrangingsomerelicsthathehadbroughtwithhimfromtheHolyLand, and afterwards at midnight he heard a confused noise in the chapel, andgettinguphelookedthroughthekeyhole,andsawagreatlighttherein,eitherfroma fire or from candles, and on the morrow he asked one of the brethren of theTemple the name of the saint in whose honour they had celebrated so grand afestivalduringthenight,andthatbrother,aghastandturningpale,thinkinghehadseenwhathadbeendoneamongstthem,saidtohim,“Gothyway,andifyouloveme,orhaveanyregard foryourown life,neverspeakof thismatter.”Thissame“Senior of the Minorites” declares also that he had seen, in the chapel of thepreceptory of Ribstane, a cross, with the image of our Saviour nailed upon it,throwncarelesslyuponthealtar,andheobservedtoacertainbrotheroftheTemple,thatthecrosswasinamostindecentandimproperposition,andhewasabouttoliftit up and stand it erect,when that samebrother called out to him, “Lay down thecrossanddepartinpeace!”

JAMESDEMOLAY.A.D.1311.

Brother John de Wederal, another Minorite, sent to the inquisitors a writtenpaper, wherein he stated that he had lately heard in the country, that a Templar,namedRobert deBaysat,wasonce seen running about ameadowuttering, “Alas!alas! that ever I was born, seeing that I have denied God and soldmyself to thedevil!”BrotherN. deChinon, anotherMinorite, had heard that a certainTemplarhadasonwhopeepedthroughachinkin thewallof thechapter-room,andsawapersonwhowasabouttobeprofessed,slainbecausehewouldnotdenyChrist,andafterwardstheboywasaskedbyhisfathertobecomeaTemplar,butrefused,andheimmediately shared the same fate. Twentywitnesses,whowere examined in eachother ’spresence,merelyrepeatedtheaboveabsurdities,orrelatedsimilarones.*

Atthisstageof theproceedings, thepapal inquisitor,SicarddeYaur,exhibitedtworack-extortedconfessionsofTemplarswhichhadbeenobtainedinFrance.ThefirstwasfromRobertdeSt.Just,whohadbeenreceivedintotheOrderbybrotherHimbert,GrandPreceptor ofEngland, but had been arrested inFrance, and there

torturedbythemyrmidonsofPhilip.Inthisconfession,RobertdeSt.Juststatesthat,onhisadmission to thevowsof theTemple,hedeniedChrist,andspatbeside thecross.ThesecondconfessionhadbeenextortedfromGeoffreydeGonville,KnightoftheOrderoftheTemple,PreceptorofAquitaineandPoitou,andhadbeengivenonthe15thofNovember,A.D.1307,beforethegrandinquisitorofFrance.Inthisconfession,(whichhadbeenafterwardsrevoked,butofwhichrevocationnonoticewastakenbytheinquisitors),SirQeoffreydeGonvillestatesthathewasreceivedintotheOrderinEnglandinthehouseoftheTempleatLondon,byBrotherRobertdeTorvibe,knight,theMasterofallEngland,abouttwenty-eightyearsbeforethattime;thatthemastershowedhimonamissaltheimageofJesusChristonthecross,and commanded him to deny him who was crucified; that, terribly alarmed, heexclaimed,“Alas!mylord,whyshouldIdothis?Iwillonnoaccountdoit.”Butthemastersaidtohim,“Doitboldly;Isweartotheethattheactshallneverharmeitherthy soulor thyconscienceand thenproceeded to informhim that the customhadbeenintroducedintotheOrderbyacertainbadGrandMaster,whowasimprisonedbyacertainsultan,andcouldescapefromprisononlyonconditionthathewouldestablishthatformofreceptioninhisorder,andcompelallwhowerereceivedtodeny Christ Jesus! but the deponent remained inflexible; he refused to deny hisSaviour, and asked where were his uncle and the other good people who hadbroughthimthere,andwastoldthat theywereallgone;andat lastacompromisetookplacebetweenhimandtheMaster,whomadehimtakehisoaththathewouldtellallhisbrethrenthathehadgonethroughthecustomaryform,andneverrevealthat it had been dispensedwith!He states also that the ceremonywas instituted inmemoryofSt.Peter,whothreetimesdeniedChrist!*

* Suspicio (quæ loco testis 21, in MS. allegatur), probare videtur, quod omnes examinati in aliquodejeraverunt(pejeraverunt),utexinspectioneprocessuumapparet.—MS.Bodl.Oxon.f.5.2.Conciltom.ii.p.359.

JAMESDEMOLAY.A.D.1311.

Ferinsius le Mareschal, a secular knight, being examined, declared that hisgrandfatherenteredintotheOrderoftheTemple,active,healthy,andblithesomeasthebirdsandthedogs,butonthethirddayfromhistakingthevowshewasdead,and,ashenowsuspects,waskilledbecauseherefusedtoparticipateintheiniquitiespractisedbythebrethren.AnAugustinemonkdeclaredthathehadheardaTemplarsaythatamanafterdeathhadnomoresoulthanadog.Roger,rectorofthechurchof Godmersham, swore that about fifteen years before he had an intention ofentering into theOrderof theTemplehimself, andconsultedStephenQueynterel,oneofthebrothers,onthesubject,whoadvisedhimnottodoso,andstatedthattheyhadthreearticlesamongstthemselvesintheirorder,knownonlytoGod,thedevil,and the brethren of the Temple, and the said Stephen would not reveal to thedeponentwhatthosearticleswere.

ThevicarofthechurchofSaintClementatSandwichhadheardthataboyhadsecretedhimselfinthelargehallwheretheTemplarsheldtheirchapter,andheardtheMaster preach to the brethren, and explain to them in what mode theymightenrich themselves; and after the chapter was concluded, one of the brothers, ingoingout of thehall, droppedhis girdle,which theboy found and carried to thebrotherwhohad sodropped it,when the latter drewhis sword and instantly slewhim!Buttocrownall,BrotherJohndeGertia,aMinorite,hadheardfromacertainwomancalledCacocaca!whohaditfromExvalettus,PreceptorofLondon,thatoneof the servants of the Templars entered the hall where the chapter was held, andsecretedhimself, andafter thedoorhadbeenshutand lockedby the lastTemplarwhoentered, and thekeyhadbeenbroughtbyhim to the superior, the assembledTemplars jumped up andwent into another room, and opened a closet, and drewtherefromacertainblackfigurewithshiningeyes,andacross,andtheyplacedthecross before the Master, and the “culum idoli vel figuræ” they placed upon thecross,andcarriedittotheMaster,whokissedthesaidimage,(inano),andalltheothersdidthesameafterhim;andwhentheyhadfinishedkissing,theyallspatthreetimes upon the cross, except one, who refused, saying, “I was a bad man in theworld,andplacedmyselfinthisorderforthesalvationofmysoul;whatcouldIdoworse?Iwillnotdoit;”andthenthebrethrensaidtohim,“Takeheed,anddoasyouseetheOrderdobutheansweredthathewouldnotdoso,andthentheyplacedhiminawellwhichstoodinthemidstoftheirhouse,andcoveredthewellup,andlefthimtoperish.Beingaskedastothetimewhenthewomanheardthis,thedeponentstatedthatshetoldittohimaboutfourteenyearsbackatLondon,whereshekeptashop for her husband, Robert Cotacotal. Thiswitness also knew a certainWalterSalvagyoofthefamilyofEarlWarrenne,grandfatherofthethenearl,who,havingenteredintotheOrderoftheTemple,wasabouttwoyearsafterwardsentirelylostsightofbyhisfamily,andneithertheearlnoranyofhisfriendscouldeverlearnwhathadbecomeofhim.

*ThisknighthadbeentorturedintheTempleatParis,bythebrothersofStDominic, inthepresenceof thegrandinquisitor,andhemadehisconfessionwhensufferingontherack;heafterwardsrevokedit,andwasthentortured into a withdrawal of his revocation, notwithstanding which the inquisitormade the unhappywretch, incommonwithothers,puthissignaturetothefollowinginterrogatory,“Interrogatusutrumvivelmetucarcerisauttormentorum,immiscuitinsuâdepositionealiquamfalsitatem,dicitquodnon!”

JAMESDEMOLAY.A.D.1311.

JohnWalbydeBust,anotherMinorite,hadheardJohndeDingestonsaythathehadheardthattherewasinasecretplaceofthehouseoftheTemplarsatLondonagildedhead,andthatwhenoneoftheMasterswasonhisdeathbed,hesummonedtohis presence several preceptors, and told them that if theywished for power, anddominion,andhonour,theymustworshipthathead.

JAMESDEMOLAY.A.D.1311.

BrotherRicharddeKoefeld,amonk,hadheardfromJohndeBorna,whohaditfrom theKnightTemplarWalter leBacheler, thateverymanwhoentered into theOrder of theTemplehad to sell himself to thedevil; he had alsoheard from thepriestWalter,rectorofthechurchofHodlee,whohaditfromacertainwhowasapriestofthesaidWalterleBacheler,thattherewasonearticleintheprofessionoftheTemplarswhichmightnotberevealedtoanylivingman.

Gasper deNafferton, chaplain of the parish ofRyde, deposed that three yearsback he was in the employ of the Templars for about six months, during whichperiodWilliamdePokelingtonwasreceivedintotheOrder;thathewellrecollectedthat thesaidWilliammadehisappearanceat theTempleonSundayevening,withtheequipageandhabitofamemberoftheOrder,accompaniedbyBrotherWilliamde laMore, theMaster of theTemple,BrotherWilliam deGrafton, Preceptor ofRibbestaneandFontbriggs;andotherbrethren:thatthesamenight,duringthefirstwatch,theyassembledinthechurch,andcausedthedeponenttobeawakenedtosaymass;that,afterthecelebrationofthemass,theymadethedeponentwithhisclerkgooutintothehallbeyondthecloister,andthensentforthepersonwhowastobereceived;andonhisentryintothechurchoneofthebrethrenimmediatelyclosedallthedoorsopeningintothecloister,sothatnoonewithinthechamberscouldgetout,andthustheyremainedtilldaylight;butwhatwasdoneinthechurchthedeponentknewnot; thenextday,however,hesawthesaidWilliamclothedin thehabitofaTemplar,lookingverysorrowful.Thedeponentalsodeclaredthathehadthreatenedtopeepthroughasecretdoortoseewhatwasgoingon,butwaswarnedthatitwasinevitabledeathsotodo.Hestatesthatthenextmorninghewentintothechurch,andfound the books and crosses all removed from the places in which he hadpreviously left them; that he afterwards saw the knight Templar BrotherWilliamdelivertothenewly-receivedbrotheralargerollofpaper,containingtheruleoftheOrder,whichthesaidnewly-receivedbrotherwasdirectedtotranscribeinprivate;that after the departure of the saidBrotherWilliam, the deponent approached thesaid newly-received brother, who was then diligently writing, and asked to beallowedtoinspecttheroll,butwastoldthatnonebutmembersoftheOrdercouldbeallowedtoreadit;thathewasthenabouttodepart,whenBrotherWilliammadehis appearance, and, astonished and confounded at the sight of the deponent,snatchedup the roll andwalkedawaywith it, declaring,withagreatoath, thathewouldneveragainallowittogooutofhishands.

JAMESDEMOLAY.A.D.1311.

Brother John de Donyngton, of the Order of theMinorites, the seventy-sixthwitnessexamined,beingsworn,deposedthatsomeyearsbackanoldveteranoftheTemple(whosenamehecouldnotrecollect)toldhimthattheOrderpossessedfourchiefidolsinEngland,oneatLondoninthesacristyoftheTemple;anotheratthepreceptoryofBistelesham;athirdatBruereinLincolnshire;andthefourthinsome

place beyond the Humber (the name of which he had forgotten;) that BrotherWilliamdelaMore,theMasteroftheTemple,introducedthemelancholyidolatryof theTemplars intoEngland,andbroughtwithhim into thecountryagreat roll,whereonwereinscribedinlargecharactersthewickedpracticesandobservancesoftheOrder.The saidoldveteran also told thedeponent thatmanyof theTemplarscarriedidolsaboutwiththeminboxes,&c.&c.

JAMESDEMOLAY.A.D.1311.

The deponent further states that he recollected well that a private gentleman,MasterWilliamdeShokerwyk,ashorttimeback,hadpreparedtotakethevowsoftheOrder, and carried his treasures and all the property he had to the Temple atLondon;andthatashewasabouttodeposititinthetreasury,oneofthebrethrenofthe Temple heaved a profound sigh, and Master William de Shokerwyk havingaskedwhatailedhim,heimmediatelyreplied,“Itwillbetheworseforyou,brother,ifyouenterourorder.“That thesaidMasterWilliamaskedwhy,andtheTemplarreplied,“Youseeusexternally,butnotinternally;takeheedwhatyoudo;butIshallsaynomore;”andthedeponentfurtherdeclares,thatonanotheroccasionthesaidMasterWilliamenteredintotheTempleHall,andfoundthereanoldTemplar,whowasplayingatthegamecalledDaly;andtheoldTemplarobservingthattherewasnooneinthehallbesideshimselfandthesaidMasterWilliam,saidtothelatter,“Ifyouenterintoourorder,itwillbetheworseforyou.”

Thewitness then goes into a rambling account of various transactions in theEast,tendingtoshowthattheTemplarswereinalliancewiththeSaracens,andhadactedwithtreacherytowardstheChristiancause!*

After the delivery of all this hearsay, these vague suspicions and monstrousimprobabilities, thenotariesproceededtoarrangethevaluabletestimonyadduced,andonthe22ndofAprilalltheTemplarsincustodyintheTowerandintheprisonsof the citywere assembled before the inquisitors and the bishops of London andChichester,inthechurchoftheHolyTrinity,tohearthedepositionsandattestationsof thewitnessespubliclyread.TheTemplarsrequiredcopiesof thesedepositions,which were granted them, and they were allowed eight days from that period tobringforwardanydefencesorprivilegestheywishedtomakeuseof.Subsequently,beforetheexpirationoftheeightdays,theofficerofthebishopofLondonwassentto theTowerwithscrivenersandwitnesses, toknowif theywouldthensetupanymatters of defence, towhom the Templars replied that theywere unletteredmen,ignorantoflaw,andthatallmeansofdefenceweredeniedthem,sincetheywerenotpermitted to employ those who could afford them fit counsel and advice. Theyobserved, however, that theyweredesirousof publiclyproclaiming the faith, andthereligionofthemselvesandoftheOrdertowhichtheybelonged,ofshowingtheprivileges conceded to them by the chief pontiffs, and their own dépotions takenbefore the inquisitors, all which they said they wished to make use of in their

defence.JAMESDEMOLAY.A.D.1311.

On theeighthday,beingThursday the29thofApril, theyappearedbefore thepapal inquisitors and the bishops of London andChichester, in the church ofAllSaintsofBerkyngecherche,andpresentedtothemthefollowingdeclaration,whichtheyhaddrawnupamongstthemselves,astheonlydefencetheyhadtoofferagainsttheinjustice,thetyranny,andthepersecutionoftheirpowerfuloppressors;adding,thatiftheyhadinanywaydonewrong,theywerereadytosubmitthemselvestotheOrdersofthechurch.

ThisdeclarationiswrittenintheNormanFrenchofthatday,andisasfollows:“Conuecheseseitanostrehonurablepere,leercevesquedeCanterbiere,primat

de touteEngletere,ea touzprelazde seinteEglise,ea touzCristiens,qe touz lesfreres du Temple que sumes ici assemblez et chescune singulere persone par sensumescristiennostreseignurJesuCrist,ecreomsenDieuPereomnipotent,quifistciel e terre, e enJesu soen fiz,qui fust conceuduSeintEsperit,nezde laVirgineMarie, soeffrit peine e passioung morut sur la croiz pour touz peccheours,descendisteenferns,eletierzjourrelevademortenvie,emountaenciel,sietaudestresoenPere,evendraaujourde juise, ,juger lesvifse lesmorz,qui fusaunzcommencement, e serra saunz fyn; e creoms comme seynte eglise crets, e nousenseigne. E que nostre religion est foundee sus obedience, chastete, vivre sanspropre,aideraconquerelaseintterredeJerusalem,aforceeapoer,quiDieunousadpreste.Enyormsefirmementencountrediomstouzechescunesingulerepersone,parseitoutesmaneresdeheresiesemalvaistes,quesountencountrelafoideSeinteEglise.EpriomspourDieuepourchariteavous,queestesenlieunostreseinteperel’apostoile,quenouspuissomsaverlezdretturesdeseinteeglise,commeceusquesountlesfilzdesainteeglise,quebienavomsgarde,etenulafoi,elaleideseinteeglise,enostrereligion,laqueleestbone,honesteejuste,solomordenaunces,elesprivilegesdelacourtdeRomeavonsgrauntez,confermez,ecanonizezparcommunconcile,priviligesensemblementoulestablisement,elaregiesountenladitecourtenregistrez.EmettomsendureenmaleutouzCristienssaunenozanoisourz,parlaounousavomsesteconversaunt,commentnousavomsnostreviedemene.Esenousavomsrienmesprysdeaucunparoleennosexaminationspar ignorancedeseu,sicommenoussumesgenzlaicsprestsumes,aesteralesgarddeseinteglise,commecelyquemourustpournouzenlabeneitedecroiz.Enouscreomsfermementtouzlessacremenzdeseinteeglise.EnousvouspriomspourDieuepoursalvacioundevousalmes,quevousnousjugezsicommevousvolezrespoundrepourvousetpournousdevauntDieu:equenostreexaminementpuetestreleueoiidevauntnousedevauntle people, solom le respouns e le langage que fust dit devaunt vous, e escrit enpapier*

*ActacontraTemplarios.—Cocil.Mag.Brit.tom.ii.p.358—364.

JAMESDEMOLAY.A.D.1311.

“Beitknowntoourhonourablefather,thearchbishopofCanterbury,primateofallEngland,andtoalltheprelatesofholychurch,andtoallChristians,thatallwebrethrenoftheTemplehereassembled,andeveryofoneofusareChristians,andbelieveinourSaviourJesusChrist,inGodtheFatheromnipotent,&c.&c.…”

JAMESDEMOLAY.A.D.1311.

“Andwebelieveallthattheholychurchbelievesandteachesus.Wedeclarethatourreligionisfoundedonvowsofobedience,chastity,andpoverty,andofaidingin the conquest of theHolyLandof Jerusalem,with all thepower andmight thatGodaffordethus.Andwefirmlydenyandcontradict,oneandallofus,allmannerofheresyandevildoings,contrarytothefaithofholychurch.AndfortheloveofGod,andforcharity,webeseechyou,whorepresentourholyfatherthepope,thatwemaybe treated like truechildrenof thechurch, forwehavewellguardedandpreservedthefaithandthelawofthechurch,andofourownreligion,thewhichisgood,honest,andjust,accordingtotheordinancesandtheprivilegesofthecourtofRome, granted, confirmed, and canonized by common council; the whichprivileges, togetherwith the rule of our order, are enregistered in the said court.AndwewouldbringforwardallChristians,(saveourenemiesandslanderers),withwhomwe are conversant, and amongwhomwe have resided, to say how and inwhatmannerwehavespentourlives.Andif,inourexaminations,wehavesaidordoneanythingwrongthroughignoranceofaword,sinceweareunletteredmen,wearereadytosufferforholychurchlikehimwhodiedforusontheblessedcross.Andwebelieveallthesacramentsofthechurch.Andwebeseechyou,fortheloveofGod,andasyouhopetobesaved,thatyoujudgeusasyouwillhavetoanswerfor yourselves and for us beforeGod; andwepray that our examinationmaybereadandheardbeforeourselvesandallthepeople,intheverylanguageandwordsinwhichitwasgivenbeforeyou,andwrittendownonpaper.”

*Concil.Mag.Brit.tom.ii.p.364.

TheabovedeclarationwaspresentedbyBrotherWilliamdelaMore,theMasterof the Temple; the Knights Templars Philip de Mewes, Preceptor of Garwy;WilliamdeBurton,PreceptorofCumbe;RadulphdeMaison,PreceptorofEwell;Michael de Baskevile, Preceptor of London; Thomas deWothrope, Preceptor ofBistelesham;WilliamdeWarwick,Priest;andThomasdeBurton,Chaplainof theOrder;togetherwithtwentyservingbrothers.Thesamedaytheinquisitorsandthetwobishopsproceededtothedifferentprisonsofthecitytodemandiftheprisonersconfined thereinwished to bring forward anything in defence of theOrder, whoseverallyansweredthattheywouldadoptandabidebythedeclarationmadebytheir

brethrenintheTower.JAMESDEMOLAY.A.D.1311.

ItappearsthatintheprisonofAldgatetherewereconfinedBrotherWilliamdeSautre, Knight, Preceptor of Samford; BrotherWilliam de la Ford, Preceptor ofDaney; Brother John de Coningeston, Preceptor of Getinges; Roger de Norreis,Preceptor of Cressing; Radulph deBarton, priest, Prior of theNewTemple; andseveral serving brethren of the Order. In the prison of Crepelgate were detainedWilliam de Egendon, Knight, Preceptor of Schepeley; John de Moun, Knight,PreceptorofDokesworth;andfourservingbrethren.IntheprisonofLudgatewerefive serving brethren; and in Newgate was confined Brother Himbert Blanke,Knight,GrandPreceptorofAuvergne.

JAMESDEMOLAY.A.D.1311.

The above declaration of faith and innocence was far from agreeable to thepapalinquisitors,whorequiredaconfessionofguilt,andthetorturewasoncemoredirectedtobeapplied.Thekingsentfreshorders tothemayorandthesheriffsofthecityofLondon,commandingthemtoplacetheTemplarsinseparatedungeons;toloadthemwithchainsandfetters;topermitthemyrmidonsoftheinquisitorstopay periodical visits to see that the wishes and intentions of the inquisitors, withregard to the severity of the confinement,were properly carried into effect; and,lastly, to inflict torture upon the bodies of the Templars, and generally to dowhatever should be thought fitting and expedient in the premises, according toecclesiasticallaw.*Inconformitywiththeseorders,welearnfromtherecordoftheproceedings, that the Templarswere placed in solitary confinement in loathsomedungeons; that they were placed on a short allowance of bread and water, andperiodically visited by the agents of the inquisition; that they were moved fromprisontoprison,andfromdungeontodungeon;werenowtreatedwithrigour,andanonwithindulgence;andwerethenvisitedbylearnedprelates,andacutedoctorsintheology, who, by exhortation, persuasion, and by menace, attempted in everypossible mode to wring from them the required avowals. We learn that all theengines of terror wielded by the church were put in force, and that torture wasunsparingly applied “usque ad judicium sanguinis!” The places in which theseatrocious scenes were enacted were the Tower, the prisons of Aldgate, Ludgate,Newgate, Bishopsgate, and Crepelgate, the house formerly belonging to John deBanguel, and the tenements once the property of the brethren of penitence.† Itappears that some French monks were sent over to administer the torture to theunhappy captives, and that theywere questioned and examined in the presence ofnotarieswhilstsufferingunderthetormentsoftherack.Therelentlessperseveranceand the incessant exertions of the foreign inquisitors were at last rewarded by asplendidtriumphoverthepowersofenduranceoftwopoorservingbrethren,and

one chaplain of the Order of the Temple, who were at last induced to make thelongdesiredavowals.

JAMESDEMOLAY.A.D.1311.

Onthe23rdofJune,BrotherStephendeStapelbrugge,describedasanapostateandfugitiveoftheOrderoftheTemple,capturedbytheking’sofficersinthecityofSalisbury,deposed in thehouseof theheadgaolerofNewgate, in thepresenceofthe bishops of London and Chichester, the chancellor of the archbishop ofCanterbury,HughdeWalkeneby,doctorof theology, andother clericalwitnesses,thatthereweretwomodesofprofessionintheOrderoftheTemple,theonegoodandlawful,andtheothercontrarytotheChristianfaith;thathehimselfwasreceivedintotheOrderbyBrotherBrianleJay,GrandPreceptorofEnglandatDynneslee,andwasledintothechapel,thedoorofwhichwasclosedassoonashehadentered;thatacrosswasplacedbeforetheMaster,andthatabrotheroftheTemple,withadrawnsword,stoodoneithersideofhim;thattheMastersaidtohim,“Doyouseethis image of the crucifixion?” to which he replied, “I see it, my lord,” that theMasterthensaidtohim,“YoumustdenythatChristJesuswasGodandman,andthatMary was his mother; and you must spit upon this cross which the deponent,throughimmediatefearofdeath,didwithhismouth,butnotwithhisheart,andhespatbesidethecross,andnotonit;andthenfallingdownuponhisknees,witheyesuplifted,withhishandsclasped,withbittertearsandsighs,anddevoutejaculations,hebesoughtthemercyandthefavourofholychurch,declaringthathecarednotforthedeathofthebody,orforanyamountofpenance,butonlyforthesalvationofhissoul.

*Vobis, præfati vicecomites,mandamusquod illos, quosdicti prælati et inquisitors, seu aliquis eorum, cumuno saltern inquisitore, deputaverint ad supervidendumquoddicta custodia bene fiat, id supervidere; et corporadictroum Templariorum inQUÆSTIONIBUS et aliis ad hoc convenientibus, ponere; et alia, quæ in hac partesecundum legemecclesiasticam fueint facienda, facerepermittatis.Claus.4,E.2.m.8.ActaRymeri, tom. iii. p.290.

†M.S.BodLF.5,2.Concil.p.364,365.ActaRymeri,tom.iii.p.228,231,232.

JAMESDEMOLAY.A.D.1311.

OnSaturday, the 25th of June,BrotherThomasTocci deThoroldeby servingbrotheroftheOrderoftheTemple,describedasanapostatewhohadescapedfromLincoln after his examination at that place by the papal inquisitors, but hadafterwards surrendered himself to the king’s officers, was brought before thebishopsofLondonandChichester, thearchdeaconofSalisbury, andothersof theclergyinSt.Martin’sChurchinVinetria;andbeingagainexamined,herepeatedthestatementmade in his first deposition, but added some particularswith regard topenances imposed and absolutions pronounced in the chapter, showing thedifferencebetweensinsanddefaults,thepriesthavingtodealwiththeone,andtheMasterwiththeother.Hedeclaredthatthelittlecordswerewornfromhonourable

motives,andrelatesastoryofhisbeingengagedinabattleagainsttheSaracens,inwhich he lost his cord, and was punished by the Grand Master for a default incominghomewithoutit.Hegivesthesameaccountofthesecrecyofthechaptersasall the other brethren, states that the members of the Order were forbidden toconfess to the friars mendicants, and were enjoined to confess to their ownchaplains; that they did nothing contrary to the Christian faith, and as to theirendeavouring to promote the advancement of the Order by any means, right orwrong,thatexactlythecontrarywasthecase,astherewasastatuteintheOrdertothe effect, that if any one should be found to have acquired anything unjustly, heshould be deprived of his habit, and be expelled the Order. Being asked whatinducedhimtobecomeanapostate,andtoflyfromhisorder,herepliedthatitwasthroughfearofdeath,because theabbotofLagny, (thepapal inquisitor),whenheexaminedhimatLincoln,askedhimifhewouldnotconfessanythingfurther,andheansweredthatheknewofnothingfurthertoconfess,unlessheweretosaythingsthatwerenottrue;andthattheabbot,layinghishanduponhisbreast,sworebythewordofGodthathewouldmakehimconfessbeforehehaddonewithhim!andthatbeing terribly frightenedheafterwardsbribed thegaolerof thecastleofLincoln,givinghimfortyflorinstolethimmakehisescape.

JAMESDEMOLAY.A.D.1311.

TheabbotofLagny,indeed,wasasgoodashisword,foronthe29thofJune,fourdaysafter this imprudentavowal,BrotherThomasToccideThoroldebywasbrought back to Saint Martin’s Church, and there, in the presence of the sameparties, he made a third confession, in which he declares that, coerced by twoTemplarswithdrawnswordsintheirhands,hedeniedChristwithhismouth,butnotwithhisheart;andspatbeside thecross,butnoton it; thathewasrequired tospitupontheVirginMary,butcontrived,insteadofdoingso,togiveherakissonthefoot.HedeclaresthathehadheardBrianleJay,theMasteroftheTempleatLondon,sayahundredtimesover,thatJesusChristwasnotthetrueGod,butaman,andthatthesmallesthairoutofthebeardofoneSaracenwasofmoreworththanthewholebody of any Christian. He declares that he was once standing in the presence ofBrotherBrian,whensomepoorpeoplebesoughtcharityofhimfortheloveofGodand our lady the blessed Virgin Mary; and he answered, “Que dame, alez vouspendreavostredame”—“Whatlady?goandbehangedtoyourlady,”andviolentlycastingahalfpenny into themud,hemade thepoorpeoplehunt for it,although itwas in the depth of a severewinter.He also relates that at the chapters the prieststoodlikeabeast,andhadnothingtodobuttorepeatthepsalm,“Godbemercifuluntous,andblessus,”whichwasreadattheclosingofthechapter.(TheTemplars,bytheway,musthavebeenstrangeidolaterstohaveclosedtheirchapters,inwhichthey are accused of worshipping a cat, a man’s head, and a black idol, with thereadingofthebeautifulpsalm,“Godbemercifuluntous,andblessus,andshowus

thelightofthycountenance,thatthywaymaybeknownuponearth,thysavinghealthamongallnations,”&c.Psalmlxvii.)Thiswitnessfurtherstates,thatthepriesthadno power to impose a heavier penance than a day’s fast on bread andwater, andcouldnot evendo thatwithout thepermissionof thebrethren.He ismadealso torelatethattheTemplarsalwaysfavouredtheSaracensintheholywarsinPalestine,and oppressed theChristians! and he declares, speaking of himself, that for threeyearsbeforehehadneverseenthebodyofChristwithoutthinkingofthedevil,norcouldheremovethatevilthoughtfromhisheartbyprayer,orinanyotherwaythatheknewof;butthatverymorninghehadheardmasswithgreatdevotion,andsincethen had thought only of Christ, and thinks there is no one in the Order of theTemplewhosesoulwillbesaved,unlessareformationtakesplace.*

JAMESDEMOLAY.A.D.1311.

Previoustothisperiod,theecclesiasticalcouncilhadagainassembled,andtheselast depositions of Brothers Stephen de Stapelbrugge and Thomas Tocci deThoroldeby having been produced before them, the following solemn farce wasimmediatelypubliclyenacted.Itisthusdescribedintherecordoftheproceedings:

*Concil.Mag.Brit.,tom.ii.p.383—387.

“To thepraiseandgloryof thenameof themosthighFather,andof theSon,and of theHolyGhost, to the confusion of heretics, and the strengthening of allfaithful Christian begins the public record of the reconciliation of the penitentheretics, returning to the orthodox faith published in the council, celebrated atLondonintheyear1311.

JAMESDEMOLAY.A.D.1311.

“InthenameofGod,Amen.IntheyearoftheincarnationofourLord1311,onthetwenty-seventhdayofthemonthofJune,inthehallofthepalaceofthebishopof London, before the venerable fathers the Lord Robert by the grace of GodarchbishopofCanterbury,primateofallEngland,andhissuffragansinprovincialcouncilassembled,appearedBrotherStephendeStapelbrugge,oftheOrderofthechivalryoftheTemple;andthedenyingofChristandtheblessedVirginMaryhismother, thespittinguponthecross,andtheheresiesanderrorsacknowledgedandconfessed by him in his deposition being displayed, the sameStephen asserted infullcouncil,beforethepeopleoftheCityofLondon,introducedfortheoccasion,that all those things so deposed by himwere true, and that to that confession hewouldwholly adhere; humbly confessing his error on his bendedknees,with hishandsclasped,withmuchlamentationandmanytears,heagainandagainbesoughtthemercyandpityofholymotherchurch,offeringtoabjureallheresiesanderrors,andprayingthemtoimposeonhimafittingpenance,andthenthebookoftheholy

gospelsbeingplacedinhishands,heabjuredtheaforesaidheresiesinthisform:“I,brotherStephendeStapelbrugge,oftheOrderofthechivalryoftheTemple,

dosolemnlyconfess,”&c.&c.(herepeatshisconfession,makeshisabjuration,andthenproceeds);“andifatanytimehereafterIshallhappentorelapseintothesameerrors,ordeviate fromanyof thearticlesof the faith, Iwill accountmyself ipsofactoexcommunicated;Iwillstandcondemnedasamanifestperjuredheretic,andthe punishment inflicted on perjured relapsed heretics shall be forthwith imposeduponmewithoutfurthertrialorjudgment!!”

Hewasthenswornupontheholygospelstostandtothesentenceofthechurchin the matter, after which Brother Thomas Tocci de Thoroldeby was broughtforwardtogothroughthesamemonstrousceremony,whichbeingconcluded,thesetwopoorservingbrothersof theOrderof theTemple,whowereso ignorant thatthey could not write, weremade to place theirmark (loco subscriptionis) on therecordoftheabjuration.

JAMESDEMOLAY.A.D.1311.

“AndthenourlordthearchbishopofCanterbury,forthepurposeofabsolvingand reconciling to the unity of the church the aforesaid Thomas and Stephen,concededhisauthorityandthatofthewholecounciltothebishopofLondon,inthepresence ofme the notary, specially summoned for the occasion, in thesewords:‘WegranttoyoutheauthorityofGod,oftheblessedMary,oftheblessedThomastheMartyrourpatron,andofallthesaintsofGod(sanctorumatquesanctarumDei)tousconceded,andalsotheauthorityofthepresentcounciltoustransferred,totheendthatthoumayestreconciletotheunityofthechurchthesemiserables,separatedfrom her by their repudiation of the faith, and now brought back again to herbosom,reserving toourselvesand thecouncil therightof imposingafitpenancefortheirtransgressions!’”Andasthereweretwopenitents,thebishopofChichesterwasjoinedtothebishopofLondonforthepurposeofpronouncingtheabsolution,which two bishops, putting on theirmitres and pontificals, and being assisted bytwelve priests in sacerdotal vestments, placed themselves in seats at the westernentranceofthecathedralchurchofSaintPatil,andthepenitents,withbendedknees,humbly prostrating themselves in prayer upon the steps before the door of thechurch,themembersofthecouncilandthepeopleofthecitystandingaround;andthepsalm,“Havemercy uponme,OGod, after thy great goodness,” having beenchanted from the beginning to the end, and the subjoined prayers and sermonhaving,beengonethrough,theyabsolvedthesaidpenitents,andreceivedthembacktotheunityofthechurchinthefollowingform:

“InthenameofGod,Amen.Sincebyyourconfessionwefindthatyou,BrotherStephendeStapelbrugge,havedeniedChristJesusandtheblessedVirginMary,andhavespatbesidethecross,andnowtakingbetteradvicewishesttoreturntotheunityoftheholychurchwithatrueheartandsincerefaith,asyouassert,andallheretical

depravityhavingforthatpurposebeenpreviouslyabjuredbyyouaccordingtotheformofthechurch,we,bytheauthorityofthecouncil,absolveyoufromthebondsof excommunication wherewith you were held fast, and we reconcile you to theunityofthechurch,ifyoushallhavereturnedtoherinsincerityofheart,andshallhaveobeyedherinjunctionsimposeduponyou.”

JAMESDEMOLAY.A.D.1311.

BrotherThomasToccideThoroldebywasthenabsolvedandreconciledtothechurch in the same manner, after which various psalms (Gloria Patri, KyrieEleyson, Christe Eleyson,&c.&c.)were sung, and prayerswere offered up, andthentheceremonywasconcluded.*

Onthe1stofJuly,anavowalofguiltwaswrungbytheinquisitorsfromBrotherJohn de Stoke, chaplain of the Order, who, being brought before the bishops ofLondonandChichester inSt.Martin’schurch,deposed thathewasreceived in themodementionedbyhimonhisfirstexamination;butayearandfifteendaysafterthatreception,beingatthepreceptoryofGarwyinthedioceseofHereford,hewascalledintothechamberofBrotherJamesdeMolay,theGrandMasteroftheOrder,who,inthepresenceoftwootherTemplarsofforeignextraction,informedhimthathewishedtomakeproofofhisobedience,andcommandedhimtotakeaseatatthefootofthebed,andthedeponentdidso.TheGrandMasterthensentintothechurchfor the crucifix, and two serving brothers, with naked swords in their hands,stationedthemselvesoneithersideofthedoorway.Assoonasthecrucifixmadeitsappearance,theGrandMaster,pointingtothefigureofourSaviournailedthereon,asked the deponent whose image it was, and he answered, “The image of JesusChrist,who sufferedon the cross for the redemptionofmankind;”but theGrandMaster exclaimed, “Thou sayestwrong, andaremuchmistakened, forhewas theson of a certainwoman, andwas crucified because he called himself the Son ofGod,andImyselfhavebeenintheplacewherehewasbornandcrucified,andthoumustnowdenyhimwhomthisimagerepresents.”Thedeponentexclaimed,“FarbeitfrommetodenymySaviourbuttheGrandMastertoldhimhemustdoit,orhewouldbeputintoasackandbecarriedtoaplacewhichhewouldfindbynomeansagreeable,andtherewereswordsintheroom,andbrothersreadytousethem,&c.&c.; and the deponent asked if such was the custom of the Order, and if all thebrethrendid the same; andbeinganswered in the affirmative, he, through fearofimmediatedeath,deniedChristwithhistongue,butnotwithhisheart.BeingaskedinwhomhewastoldtoputhisfaithafterhehaddeniedChristJesus,hereplies,“InthatgreatOmnipotentGodwhocreatedtheheavenandtheearth.”*

*Concil.Mag.Brit.,tom.ii,p.388,389.

JAMESDEMOLAY.A.D.1311.

Such, in substance, was the whole of the criminatory evidence that could bewrungbytorture,byalongimprisonment,andbyhardshipsofeverykind,fromtheTemplars in England. It amounts simply to an assertion that they compelled allwhom they received into their order to renounce the Christian religion, a thingperfectlyincredible.IsittobesupposedthatthemanygoodChristiansofhighbirth,andhonour,andexaltedpiety,whoenteredintotheOrderoftheTemple,takingthecross for their standard and theirguide,would thus suddenlyhavecast their faithandtheirreligiontothewinds?Wouldtheynot‘ratherhavedenouncedtheimpietyand iniquity to theofficersof the Inquisition, and to thepope, the superiorof theOrder?

“Ainsiquelavertu,lecrimeasesdegrésEtjamaisonn’avulatimideinnocencePassersubitementàl’extremelicence.Unseuljournefaitpointd’unmortelvertueuxUnperfideapostat,untraitreaudacieux.”

Phedre,Acteiv.Scene2.

JAMESDEMOLAY.A.D.1311.

OnSaturday,the3rdofJuly,thearchbishopofCanterbury,andthebishops,theclergy, and the people of the city of London, were again assembled around thewesterndoorofSaintPaul’scathedral,andBrotherJohndeStoke,chaplainoftheOrderoftheTemple,madehispublicrecantationoftheheresiesconfessedbyhim,andwasthenabsolvedandreconciledtothechurchinthesamemannerasBrothersThomas de Stapelbrugge and Tocci de Thoroldeby, after which a last effort wasmadetobendtheremainingTemplarstothewishesofthepapalinquisitors.

* Acta fuerunt hæc die et loco prædictis, præentibus patribus antedictis, et venerandæ discretionis virismagistris Michaele de Bercham, cancellario domini archiepiscipi Cantuar. … et me Ranulpho de Waltham,London,episcoporumnotariespublicis.—ActacontraTemplarios.Concil.Mag.Brit.,tom.ii.p.387,388.

OnMonday,July5th,at the requestof theecclesiasticalcouncil, thebishopofChichesterhadaninterviewwithSirWilliamdelaMore,theMasteroftheTemple,takingwithhimcertain learned lawyers, theologians, and scriveners.Heexhortedandearnestlypressedhimtoabjuretheheresiesofwhichhestoodconvicted,byhisownconfessionsand thoseofhisbrethren, respecting theabsolutionspronouncedbyhiminthechapters,andsubmithimselftothedispositionofthechurch;buttheMasterdeclaredthathehadneverbeenguiltyoftheheresiesmentioned,andthathewouldnotabjurecrimeswhichhehadnevercommitted;sohewassentbacktohisdungeon.

Thenext day, (Tuesday, July the6th), thebishopsofLondon,Winchester, andChichester, had an interview in Southwark with the Knight Templar, Philip deMewes, Preceptor of Garwy, and some serving brethren of the New Temple atLondon,andtoldthemthattheyweremanifestlyguiltyofheresy,asappearedfrom

the pope’s bulls, and the depositions taken against theOrder both inEngland andFrance,andalsofromtheirownconfessionsregardingtheabsolutionspronouncedintheirchapters,explainingtothemthattheyhadgrievouslyerredinbelievingthattheMasteroftheTemple,whowasamerelayman,hadpowertoabsolvethemfromtheirsinsbypronouncinganabsolutioninthemodepreviouslydescribed,andtheywarnedthemthatiftheypersistedinthaterrortheywouldbecondemnedasheretics,andthatastheycouldnotclearthemselvestherefrom,itbehovedthemtoabjurealltheheresiesofwhichtheywereaccused.TheTemplarsrepliedthattheywerereadytoabjuretheerrortheyhadfallenintorespectingtheabsolution,andallheresiesofevery hind, before the archbishop of Canterbury and the prelates of the council,whenever they should be required so to do, and they humbly and reverentlysubmittedthemselvestotheOrdersofthechurch,beseechingpardonandgrace.

JAMESDEMOLAY.A.D.1311.

Asortofcompromisewasthenmadewithmostof theTemplars incustodyinLondon.Theywererequiredpubliclytorepeataformofconfessionandabjurationdrawn up by the bishops of London and Chichester, and were then solemnlyabsolvedandreconciledtothechurchinthefollowingterms:

“In thenameofGod,Amen.Sinceyouhaveconfessed indueformbefore theecclesiastical council of theprovinceofCanter, bury that youhavegravely erredconcerningthesacramentofrepentance,inbelievingthattheabsolutionpronouncedbytheMasterinchapterhadasmuchefficacyasisimpliedinthewordspronouncedby bim, that is to say, ‘The sins which you have omitted to confess throughshamefacedness, or through fear of the justice of theOrder,we, by virtue of thepowerdelegatedtousbyGodandourlordthepope,forgiveyou,asfarasweareableandsinceyouhaveconfessedthatyoucannotentirelypurgeyourselvesfromtheheresiessetforthundertheapostolicbull,andtakingsagecounselwithagoodheartandunfeignedfaith,havesubmittedyourselvestothejudgmentandthemercyofthechurch,havingpreviouslyabjuredtheaforesaidheresies,andallheresiesofeverydescription,we,bytheauthorityofthecouncil,absolveyoufromthechainofexcommunicationwherewithyouhavebeenbound,andreconcileyouoncemoretotheunityofthechurch,&c.&c.”

JAMESDEMOLAY.A.D.1311.

Onthe9thofJuly,BrotherMichaeldeBaskevile,Knight,PreceptorofLondon,andseventeenotherTemplars,wereabsolvedandreconciledinfullcouncil,intheEpiscopal Hall of the see of London, in the presence of a vast concourse of thecitizens.Onthe10thofthesamemonth, thePreceptorsofDokes-worth,Getinges,and Samford, the guardian of the Temple church at London,BrotherRadulph deEvesham, chaplain,withotherpriests, knights, and servingbrethrenof theOrder,wereabsolvedbythebishopsofLondon,Exeter,Winchester,andChichester,inthe

presenceofthearchbishopofCanterburyandthewholeecclesiasticalcouncil.Thenextdaymanymoremembersofthefraternitywerepubliclyreconciledto

the church on the steps before the south door of Saint Pauls cathedral, andwereafterwards present at the celebration of high mass in the interior of the sacrededifice,when they advanced in a body towards the high altar bathed in tears, andfalling down on their knees, they devoutly kissed the sacred emblems ofChristianity.

The day after, (July 12), nineteen other Templarswere publicly absolved andreconciledtothechurchatthesameplace,inthepresenceoftheearlsofLeicester,Pembroke,andWarwick,andafterwardsassistedinlikemanneratthecelebrationofhighmass.ThepriestsoftheOrdermadetheirconfessionsandabjurationsinLatin;theknights pronounced them inNormanFrench, and the servingbrethren for themost part repeated them in English.* The vast concourse of people collectedtogether could have comprehended but very little of what was uttered, whilst theappearance of the penitent brethren, and the public spectacle of their recantation,answered the views of the papal inquisitors, and doubtless impressed thecommonaltywithaconvictionoftheguiltoftheOrder.ManyoftheTemplarsweretoosick(sufferingdoubtless fromtheeffectof torture) tobebroughtdowntoSt.Paul’s,andwerethereforeabsolvedandreconciledtothechurchbythebishopsofLondon,Winchester,andChichester,atSaintMary’schapelneartheTower.

*Concil.Mag.Brit.,tom.ii.p.390,391.

JAMESDEMOLAY.A.D.1311.

Among the prisoners absolved at the above chapel were many old veteranwarriors in the last stage of decrepitude and decay. “They were so old and soinfirm,” says the public notary who recorded the proceedings, “that they wereunable to stand their confessions were consequentlymade before twomasters intheology;theywerethenledbeforethewestdoorofthechapel,andwerepubliclyreconciledtothechurchbythebishopofChichester;afterwhichtheywerebroughtintothesacredbuilding,andwereplacedontheirkneesbeforethehighaltar,whichtheydevoutlykissed,whilstthetearstrickleddowntheirfurrowedcheeks.Allthesepenitent Templarswere now released fromprison, and directed to do penance indifferentmonasteries.PreciselythesameformofproceedingwasfollowedatYork:the reconciliations and absolution being there carried into effect before the southdoorofthecathedral.*

ThusterminatedtheproceedingsagainsttheOrderoftheTempleinEngland.Similarmeasureshad,inthemeantime,beenprosecutedagainsttheTemplarsin

all parts of Christendom, but no better evidence of their guilt than that abovementioned was ever discovered. The councils of Tarragona and Aragon, afterapplying the torture, pronounced the Order free from heresy. In Portugal and in

GermanytheTemplarsweredeclared innocent,andinnoplacesituatebeyondthesphereoftheinfluenceofthekingofFranceandhiscreaturethepopewasasingleTemplarcondemnedtodeath.†

JAMESDEMOLAY.A.D.1311.

On the 16th of October a general council of the Church, which had beenconvenedbythepopetopronouncetheabolitionoftheOrder,assembledatViennenearLyonsinFrance.Itwasopenedbytheholypontiff inperson,whocausedthedifferent confessions and avowals of the Templars to be read over before theassemblednoblesandprelates,andthenmovedthesuppressionofanorderwhereinhadbeendiscoveredsuchcrying iniquitiesandsinfulabominations;but theentirecouncil,with theexceptionofanItalianprelate,nephewof thepope,andthethreeFrench bishops of Rheims, Sens, and Rouen, all creatures of Philip, who hadseverally condemned large bodies of Templars to be burnt at the stake in theirrespectivedioceses,wereunanimouslyofopinion,thatbeforethesuppressionofsocelebrated and illustrious an order, which had rendered such great and signalservicestotheChristianfaith,themembersbelongingtoitoughttobeheardintheirowndefence.‡Suchaproceeding,however,didnotsuit theviewsofthepopeandking Philip, and the assembly was abruptly dismissed by the holy pontiff, whodeclaredthatsincetheywereunwillingtoadoptthenecessarymeasures,hehimself,outoftheplenitudeofthepapalauthority,wouldsupplyeverydefect.Accordingly,at the commencement of the following year, the pope summoned a privateconsistory;andseveralcardinalsandFrenchbishopshavingbeengainedover,theholy pontiff abolished the Order by an apostolical ordinance, perpetuallyprohibitingeveryonefromthenceforthenteringintoit,oracceptingorwearingthehabit thereof, or representing themselves to be Templars, on pain ofexcommunication.*

*Concil.Mag.Brit.,tom.ii.p.394—401.†ConciliaHispaniæ, tom.v.p.233.Zurita, lib.v.c.73.101.Mariana, lib.xv.cap.10.Mutius,chron. lib.

xxii.p.211.Raynouard,p.199—204.‡UtdetTemplariis audientiuamsivedefensionem. Inhac sentential concordantomnesprælati Italiæpræter

unum,Hispaniæ,Theutoniæ,Daniæ,Angliæ,Scotiæ,Hiberniæ,etc.etc.,exsecond.Vit.Clem.V.p.43.—Rainaldadann.1311,n.55.Walsingham,p.99.Antiq.Britann.,p.210.

JAMESDEMOLAY.A.D.1311.

Onthe3rdofApril,thesecondsessionofthecouncilwasopenedbythepopeatVienne.KingPhilipandhisthreesonswerepresent,accompaniedbyalargebodyof troops, and the papal decree abolishing the Order was published before theassembly.†Themembersofthecouncilappeartohavebeencalledtogethermerelytohearthedecreeread.Historydoesnotinformofanydiscussionwithreferencetoit,norofanysuffrageshavingbeentaken.

Afewmonthsafterthecloseoftheseproceedings,BrotherWilliamdelaMore,

theMasteroftheTempleinEngland,diedofabrokenheartinhissolitarydungeonintheTower,persistingwithhislastbreathinthemaintenanceoftheinnocenceofhis order.KingEdward, in pity for hismisfortunes, directed the constable of theTowertohandoverhisgoodsandchattels,valuedatthesumof4l.19s.11d.,tohisexecutors, to be employed in the liquidation of his debts, and he commandedGeoffreydelaLee,guardianofthelandsoftheTemplars,topaythearrearsofhisprisonpay(2s.perdiem)totheexecutor,RogerHunsingon.‡

JAMESDEMOLAY.A.D.1311.

Among the CottonMS. is a list of the Masters of the Temple, otherwise theGrandPriorsorGrandPreceptorsofEngland,compiledunderthedirectionoftheprioroftheHospitalofSaintJohnatClerken-well,totheintentthatthebrethrenofthatfraternitymightremembertheancientMastersoftheTempleintheirprayers.§Afewnameshavebeenomittedwhicharesuppliedinthefollowinglist:

MagisterR.dePointon.1RocelinusdeFossa.2

*Muratoriicollect.Tom.iii.p.448;tom.x.col.377.Mariana.Tom.iii.p.157.Raynouard,p.191,192.†Raynouardutsupra.TertiavitaClem.V.‡ProexecutoribustestamentiWilielmidelaMore,quondamMagistrimilitiæTempliinAnglia,claus6.E.2.

m.15.ActaRymeri,tom.iii.p.380.§Registr.Hosp.S.Joh.Jerus.CottonMS.NeroE.vi.p.60.fol.466.

RicharddeHastings,3A.D.1160.RichardMallebeench.4Geoffrey,sonofStephen,5A.D.1180.ThomasBerard,A.D.1200.AmaricdeSt.Maur6,A.D.1203.AlanMarcel,7A.D.1224.Amberaldus,A.D.1229.RobertMountforde,8A.D.1234.RobertSanford,9A.D.1241.AmadeusdeMorestello,A.D.1254.HimbertPeraut,10A.D.1270.RobertTurvile,11A.D.1290.GuidodeForesta,12A.D.1292.JamesdeMolay,A.D.1293.BrianleJay,13A.D.1295.WilliamdelaMoretheMartyr.

JAMESDEMOLAY.A.D.1311.

The only other Templar in England whose fate merits particular attention isBrotherHimbertBlanke,theGrandPreceptorofAuvergne.Heappearstohavebeena knight of high honour and of stern unbending pride. From first to last he hadboldly protested against the violent proceedings of the inquisitors, and hadfearlesslymaintained,amidalltrials,hisowninnocenceandthatofhisorder.ThisillustriousTemplarhadfoughtunderfoursuccessiveGrandMastersindefenceoftheChristianfaithinPalestine,andafterthefallofAcre,hadledinpersonseveraldaring expeditions against the infidels. For these meritorious services he wasrewardedinthefollowingmanner:—Afterhavingbeentorturedandhalf-starvedinthe English prisons for the space of five years, hewas condemned, as hewouldmakeno confessionof guilt, to be shut up in a loathsomedungeon, to be loadedwithdoublechains,andtobeoccasionallyvisitedbytheagentsoftheinquisition,tosee if hewould confessnothing further!* In thismiserable situation he remaineduntildeathatlastputanendtohissufferings.

1Lansdown,MS.207.E.vol.v.fol.317.2Ib.,fol.284.3Ib.,fol.162,163,317.4Ib.,fol.467.5Ib.,fol.201.6 Acta Rymeri, tom. i. p. 134, ad ann. 1203. He was one of those who advised king John to sign

MagnaCharta.—Matt.Par,p.253—255.7Ib.,p.258,270.Matt.Par.,p.314.8ActaRymeri, tom.i.p.342,344,345.HewasemployedtonegotiateamarriagebetweenKingHenrythe

ThirdandthefairEleanorofProvence.9Matt.Par.,p.615,etinadditamentis,p.480.10Concil.Mag.Brit.,tom.ii.p.340.11Ib.,p.339,341,344.12Ib.,p.335,343.Prynne,collect3,143.13ActaRymeri,tom.i.partiii.p.104.

JAMESDEMOLAY.A.D.1311.

JamesdeMolay,theGrandMasteroftheTemple,Guy,theGrandPreceptor,anoblemanofillustriousbirth,brothertotheprinceofDauphiny,HughdePeralt,theVisitor-general of the Order, and the Grand Preceptor of Aquitaine, had nowlanguishedintheprisonsofFranceforthespaceoffiveyearsandahalf.TheGrandMasterhadbeencompelledtomakeaconfessionwhichheafterwardsdisownedandstigmatizedas a forgery, swearing that if the cardinalswhohad subscribed it hadbeen of a different cloth, he would have proclaimed them liars, and would havechallenged themtomortalcombat.†Theotherknightshadalsomadeconfessionswhich they had subsequently revoked. The secrets of the dark prisons of these

illustrious Templars have never been brought to light, but on the 18th ofMarch,A.D.1313,apublicscaffoldwaserectedbeforethecathedralchurchofNotreDame,atParis,andthecitizensweresummonedtoheartheOrderoftheTempleconvictedbythemouthsofitschiefofficers,ofthesinsandiniquitieschargedagainstit.Thefourknights,loadedwithchainsandsurroundedbyguards,werethenbroughtuponthescaffoldbytheprovost,andthebishopofAlbareadtheirconfessionsaloudinthepresenceoftheassembledpopulace.Thepapallegatethen,turningtowardstheGrandMasterandhiscompanions,calleduponthemtorenew,inthehearingofthepeople, the avowals which they had previously made of the guilt of their order.HughdePeralt,theVisitor-General,andthePreceptoroftheTempleofAquitaine,signified their assent to whatever was demanded of them, but the Grand Masterraisinghisarmsboundwithchainstowardsheaven,andadvancingtotheedgeofthescaffold, declared in a loudvoice, that to say thatwhichwasuntruewas a crime,bothinthesightofGodandman.“Ido,”saidhe,“confessmyguilt,whichconsistsinhaving,tomyshameanddishonour,sufferedmyself,throughthepaknoftortureandthefearofdeath,togiveutterancetofalsehoods,imputingscandaloussinsandiniquitiestoanillustriousorder,”whichhathnoblyservedthecauseofChristianity.Idisdaintoseekawretchedanddisgracefulexistencebyengraftinganotherlieupontheoriginalfalsehood.”Hewashereinterruptedbytheprovostandhisofficers,andGuy, the Grand Preceptor, having commenced with strong asseverations of hisinnocence,theywerebothhurriedbacktoprison.

JAMESDEMOLAY.A.D.1311.

KingPhilipwas no sooner informed of the result of this strange proceeding,than, upon the first impulseof his indignation,without consulting either pope, orbishop,orecclesiasticalcouncil,hecommandedtheinstantexecutionofboththesegallantnoblemen.The samedayatdusk theywere ledoutof theirdungeons, andwereburnedtodeathinaslowandlingeringmanneruponsmallfiresofcharcoalwhichwerekindledonthelittleislandintheSeine,betweentheking’sgardenandtheconventofSt.Augustine,closetothespotwherenowstandstheequestrianstatueofHenriIV.*

*Invilissimocarcere, ferrodupliciconstrictus, jussusest recludi,et ibidem,donecaliudordinatumextiterit,reservari;etinterimvisitari,advidendumsivelletalteriusaliquaconfiteri!—Concil.Mag.Brit.,tom.ii.p.393.

†ProcessuscontraTemplarios.Dupuy,p.128,139.Raynourard,p.60.

ThusperishedthelastGrandMasteroftheTemple.ThefateofthepersecutorsoftheOrderisnotunworthyofnotice.Ayearandonemonthaftertheabovehorribleexecution,thepopewasattacked

byadysentery,andspeedilyhurriedtohisgrave.ThedeadbodywastransportedtoCarpentras,wherethecourtofRomethenresided;itwasplacedatnightinachurchwhichcaughtfire,andthemortalremainsoftheholypontiffwerealmostentirely

consumed.Hisrelationsquarrelledovertheimmensetreasuresheleftbehindhim,andavastsumofmoney,whichhadbeendepositedforsafetyinachurchatLucca,wasstolenbyadaringbandofGermanandItalianfreebooters.

Beforethecloseofthesameyear,KingPhilipdiedofalingeringdiseasewhichbaffledall theartofhismedicalattendants,andthecondemnedcriminal,uponthestrengthofwhose information theTemplarswereoriginallyarrested,washangedfor fresh crimes. “History attests,” saysMonsieurRaynouard, “that all thosewhowere foremost in the persecution of the Templars, came to an untimely andmiserabledeath.”ThelastdaysofPhilipwereembitteredbymisfortune;hisnoblesandclergy leaguedagainsthimtoresisthisexactions; thewivesofhis threesonswere accusedof adultery, and twoof themwerepublicly convictedof that crime.ThemisfortunesofEdwardtheSecond,kingofEngland,andhishorribledeathinBerkeleyCastle,aretoowellknowntobefurtheralludedto.

To save appearances, the pope had published a bull transferring the property,latebelongingtotheTemplars,totheOrderoftheHospitalofSaintJohn,†whichhadjustthenacquiredadditionalrenownandpopularityinEuropebytheconquestfrom the infidels of the island of Rhodes. This, bull, however, remained for aconsiderable period nearly a dead letter, and the Hospitallers never obtained atwentiethpartoftheancientpossessionsoftheTemplars.

ThekingsofCastile,Aragon,andPortugal,creatednewmilitaryordersintheirown dominions, to which the estates of the late order of the Temple weretransferred,and,annexingtheGrandMasterships thereof to theirownpersons,bythe title of PerpetualAdministrators, they succeeded in drawing to themselves animmenserevenue.*ThekingsofBohemia,Naples,andSicily,retainedpossessionofmany of the houses and strongholds of the Templars in their dominions, andvarious religious orders of monks succeeded in installing themselves in theconvents of the fraternity. The heirs of the donors of the property, moreover,claimedatitletoitbyescheat,andinmostcaseswheretheHospitallersobtainedthelandsandestatesgranted themby thepope, theyhad topay large fines toadverseclaimantstobeputintopeaceablepossession.†

*Villani,lib.vii.cap.92.Contin.Chron.deNangis,adann.1313.Pap.Mass,inPhilip,pulchr.lib.iii.p.393.Marianadereb.Hisp.lib.xv.cap.10.Dupuy,ed.1700,p.71.Chron.Corn.ZanflietapudMartene, tom.v.col.160.Raynouard,p.209,210.

†ActaRymeri,tom.iii.p.323,4,5,adann.1312.

“ThechiefcauseoftheruinoftheTemplars,”justlyremarksFuller,“wastheirextraordinary wealth. As Naboth’s vineyard was the chiefest ground of hisblasphemy,andasinEnglandSirJohnCornwallLordFanhopesaidmerrily,nothe,but his stately house at Ampthill in Bedfordshire was guilty of high treason, socertainlytheirwealthwastheprincipalcauseoftheiroverthrow.…WemaybelievethatKingPhilipwouldneverhavetakenawaytheirlivesifhemighthavetakentheir

landswithoutputtingthemtodeath,butthemischiefwas,hecouldnotgetthehoneyunlessheburntthebees.”‡

KingPhilip,thepope,andtheEuropeansovereigns,appeartohavedisposedofall the personalty of the Templars, the ornaments, jewels, and treasure of theirchurches and chapels, and during the period of five years, over which theproceedingsagainst theOrderextended, they remained in theactual receiptof thevast rents and revenues of the fraternity. After the promulgation of the bull,assigningthepropertyoftheTemplarstotheHospitallers,KingPhilipputforwardaclaimuponthelandtotheextentoftwohundredthousandpoundsfortheexpensesof the prosecution, and Louis Hutin, his son, required a further sum of sixtythousandpounds from theHospitallers, before hewould consent to surrender theestatesintotheirhands.”§“J’ignore,”saysVoltaire,“cequirevintaupape,maisjevoisevidemmentquelesfraisdescardinaux,desinquisiteursdéléguèspourfaireceprocès épouvantable monterent à des sommés immenses.”** The holy pontiff,accordingtohisownaccount,receivedonlyasmallportionofthepersonaltyoftheOrder,†† but others make him a large participator in the good things of thefraternity.‡‡

*Zurita,lib.v.c.101.Institut.milit.ChristiapudHenriquez,p.534.†AnnalesMinorum.Gall.Christnov.Aventinus,Annal.DeVertot,liv.3.‡ Fuller’sHist.HolyWar,bookv.ch.iii.§Dupuy,p.179,184.**Essaisurlesmoeurs,&c.,tom.ii.p.242.††Nihiladnosunquampervenitnisimodicabonamobilia.Epist.adPhilip,2non.May,1309.Raynouard,p.

198.DeVertot,liv.iii.‡‡Raynouard197,198,199.

OntheimprisonmentoftheTemplarsinEngland,theTempleatLondon,andallthe preceptories dependent upon it, with the manors, farms, houses, lands, andrevenuesofthefraternity,wereplacedunderthesurveyoftheCourtofExchequer,andextents*weredirectedtobetakenofthesame,afterwhichtheywereconfidedtothe care of certain trustworthy persons, styled “Guardians of the lands of theTemplars,”whowere toaccount for the rentsandprofits to theking’sexchequer.ThebishopofLichfieldandCoventryhadthecustodyofallthelandsandtenementsinthecountyofHants.JohndeWburghamhadthoseinthecountiesofNorfolkandSuffolk, and there were thirty-two other guardians entrusted with the care of thepropertyintheremainingcountiesofEngland.†TheseguardiansweredirectedtopayvariouspensionstotheoldservantsandretainersoftheTemplarsdwellinginthedifferentpreceptories,‡alsotheexpensesoftheprosecutionagainsttheOrder,andtheywereatdifferenttimesrequiredtoprovidefortheexigenciesofthepublicservice, and to victual the king’s castles and strongholds.On the 12th of January,A.D.1312,WilliamdeSlengesby,guardianofthemanorofRibbestayninthecountyofYork,wascommandedtoforwardtotheconstableofthecastleofKnaresburgha

hundredquartersofcorn,tenquartersofoats,twentyfatoxen,eightysheep,andtwostrongcarts,towardsthevictuallingofthesaidfortress,andthekingtellshimthatthesameshallbedulydeductedwhenherendershisaccounttotheexchequeroftherents and profits of the saidmanor. § The king, indeed, began to dispose of thepropertyasifitwaswhollyvestedinthecrown,andmademunificentdonationstohisfavouritesandfriends.In themonthofFebruaryof thesameyear,hegavethemanors of Etton andCave toDavidEarl ofAthol, directing the guardians of thelandsandtenementsoftheTemplarsinthecountyofYorktohandovertothesaidearlall thecorninthosemanors, theoxen,calves,ploughs,andall thegoodsandchattelsoftheTemplarsexistingtherein,togetherwiththeornamentsandutensilsofthechapeloftheTemple.**

Onthe16thofMay,however,thepopeaddressedbullstotheking,andtoalltheearls and barons of the kingdom, setting forth the proceedings of the council ofVienneandthepublicationofthepapaldecree,vestingthepropertylatebelongingtotheTemplarsinthebrethrenoftheHospitalofSt.John,andhecommandsthemforthwithtoplacethemembersofthatorderinpossessionthereof.Bullswerealsoaddressed to the archbishops of Canterbury and York and their suffragans,commanding themtoenforcebyecclesiasticalcensures theexecutionof thepapalcommands,*KingEdwardandhisnoblesveryproperlyresistedthisdecree,andonthe 21st of August the king wrote to the Prior of the Hospital of St. John atClerkenwell, telling him that the pretensions of the pope to dispose of propertywithintherealmofEngland,withouttheconsentofparliament,werederogatorytothe dignity of the crown and the royal authority; and he commands him, underseverepainsandpenalties, torefrainfromattempting toobtainanyportionof thepossessions of the Templars.† The king, indeed, continued to distribute the landsand rents amongst his friends and favourites. At the commencement of the year1313, he granted the Temple at London, with the church and all the buildingstherein,toAymerdeValenceearlofPembroke;‡andonthe5thofMayofthesameyear he caused several merchants, from whom he had borrowed money, to beplacedinpossessionofmanyofthemanorsoftheTemplars.§

* The extents of the lands of the Templars are amongst the unarranged records in the Queen’sRemembrancer’soffice,andvarioussheriffs’accountsareinthethirdchestinthePipeOffice.

†ActaRymeri,tom.iii.p.130,134,139,279,288,290,1,2,297,321.Dodsworth.MS.vol.xxxv.p.65,67.

‡ActaRymeri,tom.iii.p.292,3,4,5.§Ibtom.iii.p.299.**ActaRymeri,tom.iii.p.303.

Yielding,however,atlasttotheexhortationsandmenacesofthepope,theking,onthe21stofNov.A.D.1313,grantedthepropertytotheHospitallers,**andsentorders to all theguardiansof the landsof theTemplars, and tovariouspowerfulbaronswhowereinpossessionoftheestates,commandingthemtodeliverthemup

tocertainpartiesdeputedbytheGrandMasterandchapteroftheHospitalofSaintJohntoreceivethem.††At thisperiod,however,manyof theheirsof thedonors,whosetitlehadbeenrecognizedbythelaw,wereinpossessionofthelands,andthejudgesheldthatthekinghadnopowerofhisownsoleauthoritytotransferthemtothe Order of the Hospital.‡‡ The thunders of the Vatican were consequentlyvigorouslymadeuseof,andall thedetainersof thepropertyweredoomedbytheRoman pontiff to everlasting damnation.§§ Pope John, in one of his bulls, datedA.D.1322,bitterlycomplainsofthedisregardbyalltheking’ssubjectsofthepapalcommands.Helamentsthattheyhadhardenedtheirheartsanddespisedthesentenceofexcommunicationfulminatedagainstthem,anddeclaresthathisheartwasrivenwithgrief to find that even theecclesiastics,whoought tohavebeenas awallofdefence to the Hospitallers, had themselves been heinously guilty in thepremises.***

*Ib,tom.iii.p.326,327.†Ib.,tom.iii.p.337.‡Cart.6.E.2.No.4.41.§ActaRymeri,tom.iii.p.409,410.**ActaRymeri,tom.iii.p.451.††Ib.,p.451,454,455,457,459––463.Dugd.Monast.Angl.,vol.vi.part2.p.809.‡‡RollsofParliament,vol.ii.p.41.§§Dugd.Monast.Angl.,vol.vi.part2,p.849,850.Concil.Mag.Brit.,tom.ii.9.499.***ActaRymeri,tom.iii.p.956––959,adann.1322.

At last (A.D. 1324) the pope, the bishops, and theHospitallers, by their unitedexertions,succeededinobtaininganactofparliament,vestingallthepropertylatebelongingtotheTemplarsinthebrethrenoftheHospitalofSaintJohn,inorderthattheintentionsofthedonorsmightbecarriedintoeffectbytheappropriationofittothe defenceof theHolyLand and the succour of theChristian cause in theEast.*Thisstatutegaverise to thegreatestdiscontent.Theheirsof thedonorspetitionedparliament for its repeal, alleging that it had been made against law and againstreason, andcontrary to theopinionof the judges;†andmanyof thegreatbaronswho held the property by a title recognised by the common law, successfullyresistedtheclaimsoftheOrderoftheHospital,maintainingthattheparliamenthadno right to interfere with the tenure of private property, and to dispose of theirpossessionswithouttheirconsent.

This struggle between the heirs of the donors on the one hand, and theHospitallers on the other, continued for a lengthened period; and in the reign ofEdward the Third it was found necessary to pass another act of parliament,confirming thepreviousstatute in their favour,andwritsweresent to thesheriffs(A.D.1334)commandingthemtoenforcetheexecutionoftheactsofthelegislature,andtotakepossession,intheking’sname,ofallthepropertyunjustlydetainedfromthebrethrenoftheHospital.‡

Whilstthevastpossessions,latebelongingtotheTemplars,thuscontinuedtobethesubjectofcontention,thesurvivingbrethrenofthatdissolvedordercontinuedtobe treatedwith the utmost inhumanity and neglect. The ecclesiastical council hadassignedtoeachofthemapensionoffourpenceadayforsubsistence,butthissmallpittance was not paid, and they were consequently in great danger of dying ofhunger.Theking,pityingtheirmiserablesituation,wrotetothepriorofthehospitalofSt. JohnatClerkenwell, earnestly requestinghim to take theirhard lot intohisseriousconsideration,andnotsufferthemtocometobeggaryinthestreets.§ThearchbishopofCanterburyalsoexertedhimselfintheirbehalf,andsentletterstothepossessors of the property, reproving them for the non-payment of the allottedstipends. “This inhumanity,” sayshe, “awakensourcompassion, andpenetratesuswiththemostlivelygrief.Weprayandconjureyouinkindnesstofurnishthem,fortheloveofGodandforcharity,withthemeansofsubsistence.”**ThearchbishopofYork causedmany of them to be supported in the differentmonasteries of hisdiocese.††

*StatutesatLarge,vol.ix.Appendix,p.23.†RollsofParliament,vol.ii.p.41.No.52.‡Monast.Angl.,p.810.§ActaRymeri,tom.iii.p.472.**Concil.Mag.Brit.,tom.ii.††Walsingham,p.99.

Manyof thequondamTemplars, however, after thedissolutionof theirorder,assumed a secular habit; they blended themselves with the laity, mixed in thepleasures of the world, and even presumed to contract matrimony, proceedingswhichdrewdownuponthemthesevereindignationoftheRomanpontiff.InabulladdressedtothearchbishopofCanterbury,thepopestigmatisesthesemarriagesasunlawful concubinages; he observes that the late Templars remained bound,notwithstanding thedissolutionof theirorder,by theirvowsofperpetual chastity,andheordersthemtobeseparatedfromthewomenwhomtheyhadmarried,andtobe placed in different monasteries, where they are to dedicate themselves to theserviceofGod,andthestrictperformanceoftheirreligiousvows.*

The Templars adopted the oriental fashion of long beards, and during theproscription of the fraternity,when the fugitiveswho had thrown off their habitswerehuntedout likewildbeasts, itappears tohavebeendangerousfor laymentopossessbeardsofmorethanafewweeks’growth.

Papersandcertificatesweregranted tomenwith longbeards, toprevent themfrombeingmolested by the officers of justice as suspectedTemplars, as appearsfromthefollowingcuriouscertificategivenbykingEdwardtheSecondtohisvalet,whohadmadeavownottoshavehimselfuntilhehadperformedapilgrimagetoacertainplacebeyondsea.

“Rex, etc. Cum dilectus valettus noster Petrus Auger, exhibitor presentium,

nupervoveritquodbarbamsuamradinonfaciat,quousqueperegrinationemfeceritincertolocoinpartibustransmarinis;etidemPetrussibitimeat,quodaliquiipsum,rationebarbae suaeprolixæ fuisseTemplarium imponere sibi velint, et ei inferreimpedimenta seu gravamina ex hac causa; Nos ventati volentes testimoniumpertulere,vobis tenorepraesentium intimamus,quodpreedictusPetrusestvalettuscamera nostra, nec unquam fait Templarius, sed barbam suam sic prolixam essepermittit,excausasuperiusannotata,etc.TesteRege,&c.”†

*Monast.Angl.,vol.vi.portii.p.848.†Pat.4,E.2,p.2;m.20.Dugdale,Hiat.Warwickshire,vol.i.p.962,ed.1730.

CHAPTERXI.

THETEMPLECHURCH.The restoration of theTempleChurch—The beauty andmagnificence of the venerable building—The various

stylesof architecturedisplayed in it—Thediscoveriesmadeduring the recent restoration—The sacrarium—The marble piscina—The sacramental niches—The penitential cell—The ancient Chapel of St. Anne—Historical matters connected with the Temple Church— The holy relics anciently preserved therein—Theinterestingmonumentalremains.

“Ifadayshouldcomewhenpewlumber,preposterousorgancases,andpaganaltarscreens,aredeclaredtobeunfashionable,noreligiousbuilding,striptofsuchnuisances,wouldcomemorefairtothesight,orgivemoregeneralsatisfactiontotheantiquary,thanthechasteandbeautifulTempleChurch.”—Gentleman’sMagazineforMay,1808,p.1087.

“After three centuries of demolition, the solemn structures raised by ourCatholic ancestors are being gradually restored to somewhat of their originalappearance, and buildings, which, but a few years since, were considered asunsightlyandbarbarouserectionsofignoranttimes,arenowbecomethethemeofgeneraleulogyandmodelsforimitation.”*

It has happily been reserved for the present generation, after a lapse of twocenturies,toseethevenerableTempleChurch,thechiefecclesiasticaledificeoftheKnightsTemplars inBritain,and themostbeautifulandperfect relicof theOrdernow in existence, restored to the simplemajesty it possessed near seven hundredyears ago; to see it onceagainpresenting the appearancewhich itworewhen thepatriarchofJerusalemexercisedhissacredfunctionswithinitswalls,andwhenthemailed knights of the most holy order of the Temple of Solomon, the swornchampions of the Christian faith, unfolded the red-cross banner amid “thelongdrawn aisles” and offered their swords upon the altar to be blessed by theministersofreligion.

*DublinReviewforMay,1841,p.301.

From theperiodof the reignofCharles theFirst down toourown times, theTemple Church has remained sadly disfigured by incongruous innovations andmodern embellishments, which entirely changed the ancient character andappearanceofthebuilding,andcloudedandobscureditseleganceandbeauty.

Shortly after the Reformation, the Protestant lawyers, from an overanxiousdesiretoeffacealltheemblemsofthepopishfaith,coveredthegorgeously-paintedceiling of this venerable structurewith an uniform coating of simplewhitewash;they buried the antique tesselated pavement under hundreds of cart-loads of earthandrubbish,onthesurfaceofwhich,twofeetabovetheleveloftheancientfloor,they placed another pavement, formed of old grave-stones. They, moreover,

disfigured all themagnificentmarble columnswith a thick coatingofplaster andpaint,anddestroyedthebeautyoftheelaborately-wroughtmouldingsofthearches,andtheexquisitely-carvedmarbleornamentswiththickincrustationsofwhitewash,clothing thewholeedifice inoneuniformgarbofplainwhite, inaccordancewiththepuritanicalideasofthosetimes.

Subsequently,inthereignofCharlestheSecond,thefineopenareaofthebodyofthechurchwasfilledwithlongrowsofstiffandformalpews,whichconcealedthe bases of the columns,while the plain but handsome stonewalls of the sacrededifice were encumbered, to a height of eight feet from the ground, with oakwainscoting,whichwas carried entirely round the church, so as to shut out fromview the elegantmarble piscina on the south side of the building, the interestingarched niches over the high altar, and the sacrarium on the eastern side of theedifice.TheelegantgothicarchesconnectingtheRoundwiththeoblongportionofthebuildingwere filledupwith anoak screenandglasswindowsanddoors, andwithanorgan-galleryadornedwithCorinthiancolumnsandpilastresandGrecianornaments,whichdividedthebuildingintotwoparts,altogetheraltereditsoriginalcharacterandappearance,andsadlymarreditsarchitecturalbeauty.Theeasternendofthechurchwas,at thesametime,disfiguredwithanenormousaltarpieceintheclassic style, decorated with Corinthian columns and Grecian cornices andentablatures, andwith enrichments of cherubims andwreaths of fruit, leaves, andflowers, exquisitely carved and beautiful in themselves, but heavy and cumbrous,and quite at variance with the gothic character of the edifice. A huge pulpit andsounding board, elaborately carved,were also erected in themiddle of the nave,formingagreatobstructiontotheviewoftheinteriorofthebuilding,andthewallsandallthecolumnswerethicklyclusteredanddisfiguredwithmuralmonuments.

Alltheseunsightlyandincongruousadditionstotheancientfabrichave,thankstothegoodtasteandthepublicspiritoftheMastersoftheBenchesofthesocietiesof theInnerandMiddleTemple,beenrecently removed; theceilingof thechurchhas been repainted; the marble columns and the tesselated pavement have beenrestored, and the venerable structure has now been brought back to its ancientcondition.

ThehistoricalassociationsandrecollectionsconnectedwiththeTempleChurchthrowapowerfulcharaiaroundthevenerablebuilding.Duringtheholyfervourofthecrusades,thekingsofEnglandandthehaughtylegatesofthepopewerewonttomixwiththearmedbandsoftheTemplarsinthistheirchiefecclesiasticaledificeinBritain. In the twelfth and thirteenth centuries some of the most remarkablecharacters of the age were buried in the Round, and their mail-clad marblemonumental effigies, reposing side by side on the cold pavement, still attract thewonderandadmirationoftheinquiringstranger.

The solemn ceremonies attendant in days of yore upon the admission of a

novicetotheholyvowsoftheTemple,conductedwithcloseddoorsduringthefirstwatchof thenight; the severe religious exercisesperformedby the sternmilitaryfriars;thevigilsthatwerekeptupatnightinthechurch,andthereputedterrorsofthe penitential cell, all contributed in times past to throw an air of mystery andromance around the sacred building, and to create in the minds of the vulgar afeelingofaweandofsuperstitiousterror,givingrisetothosestrangeandhorribletales of impiety and crime, of magic and sorcery, which led to the unjust andinfamousexecutionatthestakeoftheGrandMasterandmanyhundredKnightsofthe Temple, and to the suppression and annihilation of their proud and powerfulorder.

ThefirstandmostinterestingportionoftheTempleChurch,denominatedbytheold writers “The Round,” was consecrated in the year 1186 by Heraclius, thePatriarch of Jerusalem, on his arrival in England from Palestine, as beforementioned, toobtainsuccour fromKingHenry theSecondagainst theformidablepowerof thefamousSaladin.*Theold inscriptionwhichformerlystoodover thesmall door of the Round leading into the cloisters, and which was broken anddestroyedbytheworkmenwhilstrepairingthechurch,intheyear1695,wastothefollowingeffect:

“Onthe10thofFebruary,intheyearfromtheincarnationofourLord1185,thischurchwasconsecratedinhonouroftheblessedMarybyourlordHeraclius,bythegrace of God patriarch of the church of the Resurrection, who hath granted anindulgenceoffiftydaystothoseyearlyseekingit.”†

*See ante, p. 80.On the10thofMarch, beforehis departure from this country,Heraclius consecrated thechurchoftheHospitallersatClerkenwell,andthealtarsofSt.JohnandSt.Mary.Exregistr.S.JohnJerus,inBib.Cotton,fol.1.

† A fac-simile of this inscription was faithfully delineated by Mr. Geo. Holmes, the antiquary, and waspublishedbyStrype,A.D.1670.TheearliestcopyIhavebeenabletofineofitisinamanuscripthistoryoftheTemple,intheInnerTemplelibrary,supposedtohavebeenwrittenatthecommencementofthereignofCharlestheFirstbyJohnWilde,Esq.,abencherofthesociety,andLentreaderintheyear1630.

Theoblongportionof thechurch,whichextendetheastwardsfromtheRound,was consecrated on Ascension-day, A.D. 1240, as appears from the followingpassageinthehistoryofMatthewParis,themonkofSt.Alban’s,whowasprobablyhimselfpresentattheceremony.

“Aboutthesametime(A.D.1240)wasconsecratedthenoblechurchoftheNewTemple at London, an edificeworthy to be seen, in the presence of the king andmuchofthenobilityofthekingdom,who,onthesameday,thatistosay,thedayoftheAscension,afterthesolemnitiesoftheconsecrationhadbeencompleted,royallyfeastedatamostmagnificentbanquet,preparedattheexpenseoftheHospitallers.”*

It was after the promulgation, A.D. 1162 and 1172, of the famous bull omnedatum optimum, exempting the Templars from the ordinary ecclesiasticaljurisdiction,andenablingthemtoadmitpriestsandchaplainsintotheirorder,and

appointthemtotheirchurcheswithoutinstallationandinduction,andfreefromtheinterferenceofthebishops,thatthemembersofthisproudandpowerfulfraternitybegan to erect at great cost, in various parts of Christendom, churches of vastsplendourandmagnificence,liketheonewenowseeatLondon.Itisprobablethattheearlierportionofthisedificewascommencedimmediatelyafterthepublicationof the above bull, so as to be ready (as churches took a long time in building inthose days) for consecration by the Patriarch on his arrival in England with theGrandMasteroftheTemple.

Asthereisadifferenceinrespectofthetimeoftheerection,soalsoisthereavariation in the style of the architecture of the round and oblong portions of thechurch; theonepresenting tous amostbeautiful and interesting specimenof thatmixed style of ecclesiastical architecture termed the semi-Norman, and by somewriterstheintermediate,whentheroundedarchandtheshortandmassivecolumnbecamemingledwith,andweregraduallygivingwayto,theearlyGothic;andtheother affording to us a pure and most elegant example of the latter style ofarchitecture,withitspointedarchesandlightslendercolumns.ThesetwoportionsoftheTempleChurch,indeed,whencomparedtogether,presentfeaturesofpeculiarinteresttothearchitectandtheantiquary.Theoblongportionofthevenerablefabricaffords, perhaps, the first specimen of the complete conquest of the pointed styleover the massive circular or Norman architecture which preceded its erection,whilst the Round displays the different changes which the latter style underwentprevioustoitsfinalsubversion.

*TemporequoqueTempliLondinensis,præsenteRegeetmultisregniMagnatibus;quieodemdie,scilicetdieAscensionis, completes dedicationis solemniis, convivium in mensâ nimis laute celebrarunt, sumptibusHospitaliorum.––Matt.Par.adann.1240,p.526,ed.1640.

TheTempleChurch isenteredbyabeautiful semicirculararcheddoorway,anexquisite specimen of the Norman style of architecture, still unfortunatelysurroundedandsmotheredby the smoke-driedbuildingsof studious lawyers. It isdeeply recessed and ornamented on either side with columns bearing foliatedcapitals, from whence spring a series of arched mouldings, richly carved anddecorated. Between these columns project angular piers enriched with lozenges,roses,foliage,andornamentsofvariedpatternandcuriousdevice.Theupperpartofthesepiersbetweenthecapitalsofthecolumnsishollowedout,andcarvedhalf-lengthhumanfigures,representingakingandqueen,monksandsaints,havebeeninserted.Someofthesefiguresholdscrollsofpaperintheirhands,andothersrestintheattitudeofprayer.Overthem,betweentheribsofthearch,arefourrowsofenrichedfoliagespringingfromthemouthsofhumanheads.

Having passed this elegant and elaborately-wrought doorway, we enter thatportionofthechurchcalledbytheoldwriters

TheRound,

whichconsistsofaninnercircularareaformedbyaroundtowerrestingonsixclusteredcolumns,andofacircularexternalaisleorcloister,connectedwiththeroundtowerbyaslopingroofontheoutside,andinternallybyagroinedvaultedceiling.Thebeautyandeleganceofthebuildingfromthispoint,withitscircularcolonnades,storiedwindows,andlongperspectiveofarchitecturalmagnificence,cannotbedescribed—itmustbeseen.

FromthecentreoftheRound,theeyeiscarriedupwardtothevaultedceilingoftheinnercirculartowerwithitsgroinedribsandcarvedbosses.Thistowerrestsonsixclusteredmarblecolumns,fromwhencespringsixpointedarchesenrichedwithnumerousmouldings.Theclusteredcolumnsarecomposedoffourmarbleshafts,surmounted by foliated capitals, which are each of a different pattern, butcorrespond in the general outline, and display great character and beauty. Theseshaftsareconnectedtogetherbybandsattheircentres;andthebasesandcapitalsruninto eachother, so as to form thewhole intoone column. Immediately above thearchesrestingonthesecolumns,isasmallbandorcornice,whichextendsaroundthe interiorof the tower, and supports amost elegant arcadeof interlacedarches.ThisarcadeisformedofnumeroussmallPurbeckmarblecolumns,enrichedwithornamented bases and capitals, from whence spring a series of arches whichintersectoneanotherandproduceamostpleasingandstrikingcombinationoftheroundandpointedarch.Abovethiselegantarcadeisanothercornicesurmountedbysixcircular-headedwindowspiercedatequalintervalsthroughthethickwallsofthetower.Thesewindowsareornamentedattheangleswithsmallcolumns,andinthetime of the Knights Templars they were filled with stained glass. Between eachwindowisalongslendercircularshaftofPurbeckmarble,whichspringsfromtheclustered columns, and terminates in a bold foliated capital, whereon rest thegroinedribsoftheceilingofthetower.

From the tower, with its marble columns, interlaced arches, and elegantdecorations,theattentionwillspeedilybedrawntotheinnumerablesmallcolumns,pointedarches,andgrotesquehumancountenanceswhichextendaroundthelowerportionoftheexternalaisleorcloisterencirclingtheRound.Themorethesehumancountenances are scrutinised, the more astonishing and extraordinary do theyappear.Theyseemforthemostpartdistortedandagonisedwithpain,andhavebeensupposed, not without reason, to represent the writhings and grimaces of thedamned.Uncleanbeastsmaybeobservedgnawing the ears and tearingwith theirclaws the bald heads of some of them, whose firmly-compressed teeth andquivering lips plainly denote intense bodily anguish. These sculptured visagesdisplay an astonishing variety of character, and will be regarded with increasedinterestwhenitisremembered,thatanarcadeandcornicedecoratedinthissingular

mannerhavebeenobservedamongtheruinsoftheTemplechurchesatAcre,andinthePilgrim’sCastle.This circular aisleor cloister is lightedbya seriesof semi-circular-headedwindows,whichareornamentedattheangleswithsmallcolumns.

OverthewesterndoorwayleadingintotheRound,isabeautifulNormanwheel-window, which was uncovered and brought to light by the workmen during therecent reparation of this interesting building. It is considered a masterpiece ofmasonry.

The entrance from theRound to the oblong portion of the TempleChurch isformedbythreeloftypointedarches,whichopenuponthenaveandthetwoaisles.Themouldings of these arches display great beauty and elegance, and the centralarch,which forms the grand entrance to the nave, is supported uponmagnificentPurbeckmarblecolumns.

Having passed through one of these elegant and richly-embellished archways,we enter a large, lofty, and light structure, consistingof a nave and twoaisles ofequalheight, formedbyeightclusteredmarblecolumns,whichsupportagroinedvaulted ceiling richly and elaborately painted. This chaste and graceful edificepresentstousoneofthemostpureandbeautifulexamplesinexistenceoftheearlypointedstyle,whichimmediatelysucceededthemixedorderofarchitecturevisiblein theRound. The numerous elegantly-shapedwindowswhich extend around thisportionof thebuilding, theexquisiteproportionsof theslimmarblecolumns, thebeautyandrichnessof thearchitecturaldecorations,andtheextremelightnessandairinessofthewholestructure,giveustheideaofafairypalace.

Themarblecolumnssupportingthepointedarchesoftheroof,fourinnumberoneachside,donotconsistofindependentshaftsbandedtogether,asintheHound,butformsolidpillarswhichpossessvasteleganceandbeauty.Attachedtothewallsof thechurch, ina linewith thesepillars,areaseriesofsmallclusteredcolumns,composedofthreeslendershafts,thecentralonebeingofPurbeckmarble,andtheothersofCaen stone; theyarebound togetherbyabandat their centresand theirbases,whichareofPurbeckmarble,restonastoneseatorplinth,whichextendsthewholelengthofthebodyofthechurch.Theseclusteredcolumns,whichareplacedparallel to the large central pillars, are surmounted by foliated capitals, fromwhencespringthegroinedribswhichtraversethevaultedceilingoftheroof.Thesidewalls are thus divided into five compartments on either side,which are eachfilled up with a triple lancet-headed window, of a graceful form, and richlyornamented.Itiscomposedofthreelongnarrowopeningssurmountedbypointedarches,thecentralarchrisingabovethelateralones.Themouldingsofthearchesrestuponfourslendermarblecolumnswhichrunupinfrontofthestonemullionsofthewindows,andimparttothemgreateleganceandbeauty.Thegreatnumberofthesewindows,andthesmallinterveningspacesofblankwallbetweenthem,giveavastlightnessandairinesstothewholestructure.

Immediately beneath them is a small cornice or stringing course of Purbeckmarble,which runs entirely round thebodyof the church, and supports the smallmarblecolumnswhichadornthewindows.

Theroofiscomposedofaseriesofpointedarchessupportedbygroinedribs,which,divergingfromthecapitalsofthecolumns,crossoneanotheratthecentreofthearch,andareornamentedatthepointofintersectionwithrichly-carvedbosses.Thisroofiscomposedprincipallyofchalk,andprevioustothelaterestoration,hada plain and somewhat naked appearance, being covered with an uniform coat ofhumblewhitewash.On therecent removalof thiswhitewash,extensiveremainsofanancientpaintedceilingwerebroughttolight,anditwasconsequentlydeterminedtorepainttheentireroofofthebodyofthechurchaccordingtoadesignfurnishedbyMr.Willement.

At the eastern end of the church are three elegantwindows opening upon thethree aisles; they are similar in form to the sidewindows, but the central one isconsiderablylargerthananyoftheothers,andhasinthespandrelsformedbythelineofgroiningtwosmallquatrefoilpanels.Thelabelmouldingsoneithersideofthis central window terminate in two crowned heads, which are supposed torepresentKingHenrytheThirdandhisqueen.Thesewindowsaretobefilledwithstainedglassasintheoldentime,andwill,whenfinished,presentamostgorgeousandmagnificent appearance. Immediately beneath them, above the high altar, arethreeniches,inwhichweredepositedindaysofyorethesacredvesselsusedduringthe celebration of the mass. The central recess, surmounted by a rounded arch,contained the golden chalice and patin covered with the veil and bursa; and thenichesoneithersidereceived thesilvercruets, theampullæ, thesubdeacon’sveil,andalltheparaphernaliausedduringthesacrament.Inthestoneworkaroundthemmaybeobservedthemarksofthelocksandfasteningsofdoors.

Thesenicheswereuncoveredandbroughttolightontheremovalof thelargeheavyoakscreenandaltar-piece,whichdisfiguredtheeasternendofthechurch.

On the southern sideof thebuilding, near thehigh altar, is an elegantmarblepiscina or lavacrum, which was in like manner discovered on pulling down themodernoakwainscoting.Thisinterestingremnantofantiquityhasbeenbeautifullyrestored,andwellmeritsattention.Itwasconstructedfortheuseofthepriestwhoofficiatedattheadjoiningaltar,andwasintendedtoreceivethewaterinwhichthechalice had been rinsed, and in which the priest washed his hands before theconsecrationofthebreadandwine.Itconsistsoftwoperforatedhollowsorsmallbasins, inclosed in an elegant marble niche, adorned with two graceful arches,which rest on small marble columns. The holes at the bottom of the basinscommunicate with two conduits or channels for draining off the water, whichanciently made its exit through the thick walls of the church. In the olden time,beforetheconsecrationofthehost,thepriestwalkedtothepiscina,accompaniedby

the clerk,who pouredwater over his hands, that theymight be purified from allstainbeforeheventuredtotouchthebodyofourLord.Oneofthesechannelswasintendedtoreceivethewaterinwhichthepriestwashedhishands,andtheotherthatinwhichhehadrinsedthechalice.Thepiscina,consequently,servedthepurposesofasink.*

Adjoiningthepiscina,towardstheeasternendofthechurch,isasmallelegantniche,inwhichtheewer,basin,andtowelswereplaced;andimmediatelyopposite,in the north wall of the edifice, is another niche, which appears to have been asacrariumortabernacleforholdingtheeucharistpreservedfortheuseofthesickbrethren.†

Inthecentreofthenorthernaisleofthechurch,alargerecesshasbeenerectedfor thereceptionof theorgan,asnoconvenientplacecouldbefoundfor it in theoldstructure.Belowthisrecess,bythesideofthearchwaycommunicatingwiththeRound,isasmallNormandoorway,openinguponadarkcircularstaircasewhichleadstothesummitoftheroundtower,andalsoto

*Alargepiscina,similartotheoneintheTempleChurch,maybeseeninCowlingchurch,Kent.Archoelogia,vol.zi.pl.xiv.p.320.

†Ibp.347to359.

THEPENITENTIALCELL.

Thisdrearyplaceofsolitaryconfinementisformedwithinthethickwallofthechurch,andisonlyfourfeetsixincheslong,andtwofeetsixincheswide,sothatitwouldbe impossible foragrownperson to liedownwithanydegreeofcomfortwithin it.Twosmall apertures,or loopholes, four feethighandnine incheswide,havebeenpierced through thewalls toadmit lightandair.Oneof theseapertureslookseastward into thebodyof thechurch towards thespotwherestood thehighaltar, in order that the prisoner might see and hear the performance of divineservice,andtheotherlookssouthwardintotheRound,facingthewestentranceofthechurch.Thehingesandcatchofadoor,firmlyattachedtothedoorwayofthisdrearyprison, still remain, and at thebottomof the staircase is a stone recessorcupboard,wherebreadandwaterwereplacedfortheprisoner.

In thismiserablecellwereconfined therefractoryanddisobedientbrethrenoftheTemple,andthosewhowereenjoinedseverepenancewithsolitaryconfinement.Itsdarksecretshavelongsincebeenburiedinthesilenceofthetomb,butonesadtaleofmiseryandhorror,probablyconnectedwithit,hasbeenbroughttolight.

SeveralofthebrethrenoftheTempleatLondon,whowereexaminedbeforethepapal inquisitors, tell us of the miserable death of Brother Walter le Bacheler,Knight, Grand Preceptor of Ireland, who, for disobedience to his superior theMasteroftheTemple,wasfetteredandcastintoprison,andthereexpiredfromtherigourandseverityofhisconfinement.Hisdeadbodywastakenoutofthesolitary

cellintheTempleatmorning’sdawn,andwasburiedbyBrotherJohndeStokeandBrotherRadulphdeBarton, in themidst of the court, between the church and thehall.*

The discipline of the Temple was strict and austere to an extreme. An eye-witnesstellsusthatdisobedientbrethrenwereconfinedinchainsanddungeonsforalongerorashorterperiod,orperpetually,accordingasitmightseemexpedient,inorderthattheirsoulsmightbesavedatthelastfromtheeternalprisonofhell.†Inadditiontoimprisonment, theTemplarswerescourgedontheirbarebacks,bythehand of theMaster himself, in the TempleHall, andwere frequentlywhipped onSundaysinthechurch,inthepresenceofthewholecongregation.

BrotherAdamdeValaincourt,aknightofanoble family,quitted theOrderoftheTemple,butafterwardsreturned,smittenwithremorseforhisdisobedience,andsoughttobeadmittedtothesocietyofhisquondambrethren.HewascompelledbytheMaster to eat for ayear on thegroundwith thedogs; to fast fourdays in theweekonbreadandwater,andeverySundaytopresenthimselfnakedinthechurchbeforethehighaltar,andreceivethedisciplineatthehandsoftheofficiatingpriest,inthepresenceofthewholecongregation.‡

*ActacontraTemplarios.Concil.Mag.Brit.tom.ii.p.336,350,351.†Jac.deVitr.DeReligionefratrummilitiæTempli,cap.65.‡ProcessuscontraTemplarios,apudDupuy,p.65;ed.1700.

On the opposite side of the church, corresponding with the doorway andstaircase leading to the penitential cell, therewas formerly another doorway andstaircasecommunicatingwithaverycuriousancientstructure,calledthechapelofSt.Anne,whichstoodonthesouthsideoftheBound,butwasremovedduringtherepairsin1827.Itwastwostoriesinheight.ThelowerstorycommunicatedwiththeRound throughadoorway formedunderoneof the archesof the arcade, and theupper story communicated with the body of the church by the before-mentioneddoorway and staircase, which have been recently stopped up. The roofs of theseapartments were vaulted, and traversed by cross-ribs of stone, ornamented withbossesatthepointofintersection.*Thischapelancientlyopeneduponthecloisters,andformedaprivatemediumofcommunicationbetweentheconventoftheTempleandthechurch.ItwasherethatthepapallegateandtheEnglishbishopsfrequentlyhad conferences respecting the affairs of the English clergy, and in this chapelAlmaric de Montforte, the pope’s chaplain, who had been imprisoned by KingEdward the First, was set at liberty at the instance of the Roman pontiff, in thepresence of the archbishop of Canterbury, and the Bishops of London, Lincoln,Bath, Worcester, Norwich, Oxford, and several other prelates, and of manydistinguished laymen; the said Almeric having previously taken an oath that hewould forthwith leave the kingdom, never more to return without expresspermission.†Intimespast,thischapelofSt.Anne,situateonthesouthof“theround

aboutwalles,”waswidelycelebratedforitsproductivepowers.Itwasresortedtobybarren women, and was of great repute for making them “joyful mothers ofchildren!”‡

TherewereformerlynumerouspriestsattachedtotheTemplechurch,thechiefofwhomwasstyledcustosorguardianofthesacrededifice.KingHenrytheThird,forthesalvationofhisownsoul,andthesoulsofhisancestorsandheirs,gavetothe Templars eight pounds per annum, to be paid out of the ex-chequer, for themaintenanceofthreechaplainsintheTempletosaymassdailyforever;onewastopray in the church for the king himself, another for allChristian people, and thethirdforthefaithfuldeparted.§IdoneadeVeteriPontealsogavethirteenbovatesofher land,atOstrefeld, for the supportofachaplain in thehouseof theTempleatLondon,toprayforherownsoulandthatofherdeceasedhusband,RobertdeVeteriPonte.*

* See the plan of this chapel and of the Temple Church, in the vetusta monumenta of the Society ofAntiquaries.

† Actafueruntheincapellâjuxtaecclesiam,apudNovumTemplumLondon,exparteAustraliipsiusecclesiaesitâ, coram reverendis patribus domino archiepiscopo et episcopis,&c.&.ActaRymeri, tom. ii. p. 193, ad ann.1282.

‡AnecdotesandTraditionspublishedbytheCamdenSociety.No.clxxxi.p.110.§DetribusCapellanisinveniendis,apudNovumTemplum,Londoniarum,proanimâRegisHenriciTertii.

ExregistHosp.S.JohannisJerus.inAngliâ.Bib.Cotton,f.25.a.f

ThecustosorguardianoftheTemplechurchwasappointedbytheMasterandChapterof theTemple, andentereduponhis spiritualduties, asdidall thepriestsandchaplainsoftheOrder,withoutanyadmission,institution,orinduction.Hewasexemptfromtheordinaryecclesiasticalauthority,andwastopayperfectobedienceinallmatters,anduponalloccasions,totheMasteroftheTemple,ashislordandbishop. The priests of theOrder took precisely the same vows as the rest of thebrethren,andenjoyednoprivilegesabovetheirfellows.Theyremained,indeed,incomplete subjection to the knights, for they were not allowed to take part in theconsultationsofthechapter,unlesstheyhadbeenenjoinedsotodo,norcouldtheyoccupy themselveswith thecureof soulsunless required.TheTemplarswerenotpermittedtoconfesstopriestswhowerestrangerstotheOrder,withoutleavesotodo.

“EtlesfrereschapeleinsduTempledovinentoyrlaconfessiondesfreres,nenulnesedeitconfesseraautrechapeleinsaunzcounge,car ilountgreigneurpoerduPape,deelsassoudrequeunevesque.”

The particular chapters of theMaster of the Temple, in which transgressionswere acknowledged, penances were enjoined, and quarrels were made up, werefrequentlyheldonaSundaymorningintheabovechapelofSt.Anne,onthesouthside of the Temple church, when the following curious form of absolution waspronouncedbytheMasteroftheTempleintheNormanFrenchofthatday.

“Lamaneredetenirchapitreed’assoudre.”“Apreschapitredira lemestre,oucelyqe tendra lechapitre. ‘Beausseigneurs

freres, le pardon de nostre chapitre est tiels, qe cil qui ostast les almones de lamesonatoutemaieresoun,outenistaucunechoseennoundepropre,neprendreitu tensoupardoundenostre chapitre.Mes toutes les chosesqevous lessez a direpour hounte de la char, ou pour poour de la justice de la mesoun qe lein ne laprenge requerDieu, edepar lapoeste, quenostre sireotria a seinpere, laquelenostreperelepapelieutenauntaterreaotryealamaison,eanozsovereyns,enousdeparDieu,edeparnostremestre,edetoutnostrechapitretielpardouncomeieovouspuisfere,ieolavousfaz,debonquer,edebonevolonte.Epriomsnostresire,qeissiveraiementcomeilpardonaalaglorieuseMag-daléyne,quanteleplurasespechez.Eal larronen lacroizmispardona il sespechez,eavous face lesvosapardoneamoylesmiens.Etpryvousqueseieoougesmeffisoudisamildevousquevousdepleisequevouslemepardonez.’”†

*Ibid.,30.b.† ActacontraTempiarios.Concil.Mag.Brit.,tom.ii.p.383.

Atthecloseofthechapter,theMasterorthePresidentofthechaptershallsay,“Goodandnoblebrethren,thepardonofourchapterissuch,thathewhounjustlymakethawaywith thealmsof thehouse,orholdethanythingashisownproperty,hathnopart in thepardonofourchapter,or in thegoodworksofourhouse.Butthose thingswhich through shame-facedness,or through fearof the justiceof theOrder,youhaveneglectedtoconfessbeforeGod,I,bythepowerwhichourLordobtainedfromhisFather,andwhichourfatherthepope,hisvicar,hasgrantedtothehouse,andtooursuperiors,andtous,bytheauthorityofGodandourMaster,andallourchapter,grantuntoyou,withheartygoodwill,suchpardonasIamabletogive.AndwebeseechourLord, that as he forgave thegloriousMaryMagdalenewhenshebewailedher sins, andpardoned the robberon thecross, thathewill inlikemannermercifullypardonbothyouandme.AndifIhavewrongedanyofyou,Ibeseechyoutograntmeforgiveness.”

The Temple Church in times past contained many holy and valuable relics,whichhadbeen sentoverby theTemplars fromPalestine.Numerous indulgenceswere granted by the bishops of London to all devoutChristianswhowentwith alivelyfaithtoadoretheserelics.ThebishopofElyalsograntedindulgencestoallthefaithfulofhisdiocese,andtoallpiousChristianswhoattendeddivineworshipintheTempleChurch,tothehonourandpraiseofGod,andhisgloriousmothertheVirgin Mary, the resplendent Queen of Heaven, and also to all such as shouldcontribute,outoftheirgoodsandpossessions,tothemaintenanceandsupportofthelightswhichwerekepteternallyuponthealtars.*

The circular form of the oldest portion of the Temple Church imparts an

additional interest to the venerable fabric, as there are only three other ancientchurches in England of this shape. It has been stated that all the churches of theTemplarswerebuiltinthecircularform,afterthemodelofthechurchoftheholysepulchre at Jerusalem;but thiswasnot the case.Thenumerous remainsof thesechurches,tobemetwithinvariouspartsofChristendom,provethemtohavebeenbuiltofallshapes,forms,andsizes.

We must now say a word concerning the ancient monuments in the TempleChurch.

In a recess in the southwall, close to the elegantmarble piscina, reposes therecumbent figureofabishopclad inpontifical robes,havingamitreonhisheadandacrosierinhishand.Itrestsuponanaltar-tomb,andhasbeenbeautifullycarvedoutofasingleblockofPurbeckmarble.Onthe7thofSeptember,1810,thistombwas opened, and beneath the figurewas found a stone coffin, about three feet inheight and ten feet in length, having a circular cavity to receive the head of thecorpse. Within the coffin was found a human skeleton in a state of perfectpreservation. Itwaswrapped insheet-lead,partofwhichhadperished.On the leftsideoftheskeletonweretheremainsofacrosier,andamongthebonesandaroundthe skull were found fragments of sackcloth and of garmentswroughtwith goldtissue. Itwas evident that the tombhadbeenpreviouslyviolated, as the sheet-leadhadbeendividedlongitudinallywithsomecoarsecuttinginstrument,andtheboneswithin it had been displaced from their proper position. The most remarkablediscoverymadeontheopeningofthistombwasthatoftheskeletonofaninfantaveryfewmonthsold,whichwasfoundlyingatthefeetofthebishop.

*Eregistromun.eviden.Prior.Hosp.Sanc.Joh.fol.23,b.;fo.24,a.

Nichols,theantiquary,tellsusthatBrownWillisascribedtheabovemonumenttoSilvesterdeEverdon,bishopofCarlisle,whowaskilledintheyear1255byafallfromamettlesomehorse,andwasburiedintheTempleChurch.*

AllthemonumentalremainsoftheancientKnightsTemplars,formerlyexistingintheTempleChurch,haveunfortunatelylongsincebeenutterlydestroyed.Burton,the antiquary, who was admitted a member of the Inner Temple in the reign ofQueenElizabeth,on the20thofMay,1593, tellsus that in thebodyof thechurchtherewas“alargebluemarbleinlaidwithbrasse,”withthiscircumscription—“Hicrequiescit Constantius de Houerio, quondam visitator generalis ordinis militiæTempli in Angliâ, Franciâ, et Italiâ.”† “Here lies Constance de Hover, formerlyvisitor-general of theOrder of the Temple, in England, France, and Italy.”Not avestigeofthisinterestingmonumentnowremains.Duringtherecentexcavationinthechurchyardforthefoundationsoftheneworgangallery, twoverylargestonecoffins were found at a great depth below the present surface, which doubtlessenclosedthemortalremainsofdistinguishedTemplars.Thechurchyardappearsto

aboundinancientstonecoffins.IntheRoundoftheTempleChurch,theoldestpartofthepresentfabric,arethe

famousmonumentsofsecularwarriors,with their legscrossed, in token that theyhadassumedthecross,andtakenthevowtomarchtothedefenceoftheChristianfaith inPalestine.Thesecross-leggedeffigieshaveconsequentlybeen termed“themonuments of the crusaders,” and are so singular and interesting, that a separatechaptermustbedevotedtotheconsiderationofthem.

*Nicholls’Hist.Leicestershire,vol.iii.p.960,note.Malcolm,LondiniumRedivivum,vol.ii.p.294.† Burton’sLeicestershire,p.235,236.

CHAPTERXII.

THETEMPLECHURCH.The monuments of the crusaders—The tomb and effigy of Sir Geoffrey de Magnaville, earl of Essex, and

constableoftheTower—Hislifeanddeath,andfamousexploits—OfWilliamMarshall,earlofPembroke,Protector of England—Of the Lord de Ross—OfWilliam and Gilbert Marshall, earls of Pembroke—OfWilliamPlantagenet, fifthsonofHenry theThird—TheanxiousdesiremanifestedbyKingHenry theThird,QueenEleanor,andvariouspersonsofrank,tobeburiedintheTempleChurch.

“Theknightsaredust,Andtheirgoodswordsarerust,Theirsoulsarewiththesaints,wetrust.”

Themail-cladmonumental effigies reposing side by side on the pavement of“the Round” of the Temple Church, have been supposed to be monuments ofKnightsTemplars,butthisisnotthecase.TheTemplarswerealwaysburiedinthehabitoftheirorder,andarerepresentedinitontheirtombs.Thishabitwasalongwhitemantle, as beforementioned,with a red cross over the left breast; it had ashortcapeandahoodbehind,andfelldowntothefeetunconfinedbyanygirdle.Ina longmantle of this description, with the cross of the Order carved upon it, isrepresentedtheKnightTemplarBrotherJeandeDreux,inthechurchofSt.YvoddeBraineinFrance,withthisinscription,inlettersofgold,carveduponthemonument—F.JeanliTemplierfuisaucomteJeandedreux.*

AlthoughnotmonumentsofKnightTemplars,yettheseinterestingcross-leggedeffigies have strong claims to our attention upon other grounds. They appear tohavebeenplaced in theTempleChurch, to thememoryofaclassofmen termed“AssociatesoftheTemple,”who,thoughnotactuallyadmittedtotheholyvowsandhabitoftheOrder,wereyetreceivedintoaspeciesofspiritualconnexionwiththeTemplars,curiouslyillustrativeofthesuperstitionandcredulityofthetimes.

Manypiously-inclinedpersonsofrankandfortune,bredupamidthepleasuresand the luxuries of the world, were anxiously desirous of participating in thespiritualadvantagesandblessingsbelievedtobeenjoyedbytheholywarriorsoftheTemple, in respect of the goodworks done by the fraternity, but could not bringthemselves to submit to the severe discipline and gloomy life of the regularly-professedbrethren.Forthepurposeofturningthetendenciesanilpeculiarfeelingsofsuchpersonstoagoodaccount,theMasterandChapteroftheTempleassumedthe power of admitting them into a spiritual association and connexion with theOrder,sothat,withoutrenouncingtheirpleasuresandgivinguptheirsecularmodeoflife,theymightshareinthemeritofthegoodworksperformedbythebrethren.Themode inwhich thiswas frequently done is displayed to us by the followingpublic authentic document, extracted by Ducange from the Royal Registry of

Provence.“Be it known to all persons present and to come, that in the year of the

incarnation1209,inthemonthofDecember,I,WilliamD.G.,countofForcalquier,and sonof thedeceasedGerald, being inspiredwith the loveofGod,ofmyownfreewill,andwithheartydesire,dedicatemybodyandsoultotheLord,tothemostblessed VirginMary, and to the house of the chivalry of the Temple, inmannerfollowing.IfatanytimeIdetermineontakingthevowsofareligiousorder,IwillchoosethereligionoftheTemple,andnoneother;butIwillnotembraceitexceptinsincerity,ofmyownfreewill,andwithoutconstraint.ShouldIhappentoendmydaysamidthepleasuresoftheworld,IwillbeburiedinthecemeteryofthehouseoftheTemple.Ipromise,throughloveofGod,forthereposeofmysoul,andthesoulsofmyparents,andofall thedeadfaithful inChrist, togive to theaforesaidhouseof theTemple and to thebrethren, atmydecease,myownhorse,with twoothersaddle-horses,allmyequipageandarmourcomplete,aswellironaswood,fitforaknight,andahundredmarksofsilver.Moreover, inacknowledgmentofthisdonation,IpromisetogivetotheaforesaidhouseoftheTempleandtothebrethren,aslongasIleadasecularlife,ahundredpenniesayearatthefeastofthenativityofourLord; and all the property of the aforesaid house,wheresoever situate, I takeundermysafeguardandprotection,andwilldefenditinaccordancewithrightandjusticeagainstallmen.

*MonumensdelamonarchicFrançoise,parMonifaucon,tom.ii.p.184,platep.185.Hist,delaMaisondeDreux,p.86,276.

“This donation I have made in the presence of Brother Peter de Montaigu,PreceptorofSpain;BrotherPeterCadelli,PreceptorofProvence;andmanyotherbrothersoftheOrder.”

“Andwe,BrotherPeterdeMontaigu,Master,withtheadviceandconsentoftheotherbrothers,receiveyou,theaforesaidLordWilliam,countofFourcalquier,asabenefactor andbrother (in donatum et confratrem) of our house, and grant you abountiful participation in all the good works that are done in the house of theTemple,bothhereandbeyondsea.Ofthisourgrantarewitnesses,ofthebrethrenoftheTemple,BrotherWilliamCadelli,PreceptorofProvence;BrotherBermond,Preceptor of Rue; the reverend Brother Chosoardi, Preceptor of Barles; BrotherJordan deMison, Preceptor of Embrun; Brother G. de la Tour, Preceptor of thehpuse of Limaise. Of laymen are witnesses, the lady countess, themother of theaforesaidcount;Gerald,hisbrother,&c.&c.”*

William ofAsheby in Lincolnshirewas admitted into this species of spiritualconfraternitywiththeTemplars,asappearsfromthefollowinggranttotheOrder:

“WilliamofAsheby, toall thebaronsandvavasorsofLincolnshire,and toallhisfriendsandneighbours,bothFrenchandEnglish,Salvation.Beitknowntoall

present and to come, that since the knights of the Temple have receivedme intoconfraternitywith them, and have takenme under their care and protection, I thesaidWilliam have,with the consent ofmyBrothers Ingram,Gerard, and Jordan,givenandgrantedtoGodandtheblessedMary,andtotheaforesaidknightsoftheTemple, all the residue ofmywaste and heath land, over and abovewhat I haveconfirmedtothembymypreviousgrant…&c&c.”†

Bythesecuriousarrangementswithsecularpersons,theTemplarssucceededinattachingmen of rank and influence to their interests, and in obtaining bountifulalms and donations, both of land andmoney. It is probable that the cross-leggedmonumentsintheTempleChurchwereerectedtothememoryofsecularwarriorswhohadbeenadmittedamongsttheclassofassociatedbrethrenoftheTemple,andhadbequeathedtheirbodiestobeburiedintheTemplecemetery.

Duringtherecentrepairs itbecamenecessarytomakeanextensiveexcavationin the Round, and beneath these monumental effigies were found two enormousstone coffins, together with five-leaden coffins curiously and beautifullyornamented with a device resembling the one observable on the old tesselatedpavementof thechurch; andanarchedvault,whichhadbeen formed in the innercircular foundation, supporting the clustered columns and the round tower. Theleadencoffinshadbeen inclosed in smallvaults, thewallsofwhichhadperished.The skeletons within them were entire and undisturbed; they were enveloped incoarsesackcloth,whichcrumbledtodustonbeingtouched.Oneoftheseskeletonsmeasuredsixfeetfourinchesinlength,andanothersixfeettwoinches!Thelargestonecoffinswereofimmensethicknessandweight;theyhadlongpreviouslybeenbroken open and turned into charnel-houses. In the one nearest the southwindowwerefoundthreeskulls,andavarietyofbones,amongstwhichwerethoseofsomeyoungperson.Uponthelid,whichwascomposedofPurbeckmarble,wasa largeand elegantly-shaped cross, beautifully sculptured, and in an excellent state ofpreservation. The vault constructed in the solid foundations of the pillars of theround tower,on thenorth sideof the church, contained the remainsof a skeletonwrapped in sackcloth; the skull and the upper part of it were in a good state ofpreservation,butthelowerextremitieshadcrumbledtodust.

*Ducange.Gloss.tom.iii.p.16,17;ed.1678,verb.Oblati†Peck.MS.vol.iv.p.67.

Neitherthenumbernorthepositionofthecoffinsbelowcorrespondedwiththefigures above, and it is quite clear that these last have been removed from theiroriginalposition.

InCamden’sBritannia, the first edition ofwhichwas published in the 38th ofEliz., A.D. 1586, we are informed that many noblemen lie buried in the TempleChurch,whoseeffigiesaretobeseencross-legged,amongwhomwereWilliamthe

father, and William and Gilbert his sons, earls of Pembroke and marshals ofEngland.*Stow,inhisSurveyofLondon,thefirsteditionofwhichwaspublishedA.D.1598,speaksofthemasfollows:

“In the round walk (which is the west part without the quire) there remainmonumentsofnoblemen thereburied, to thenumberofeleven.Eight of themareimagesofarmedknights; five lyingcrosslegged,asmenvowed to theHolyLandagainst the infidels andunbelieving Jews, the other three straight-leggedThe restarecopedstones,allofgraymarble.”†Amanuscripthistoryof theTemple in theInnerTemplelibrary,writtenatthecommencementofthereignofCharlestheFirst,tells us that “the crossed-legged imagesorportraitures remain in carved stone inthemiddleoftheroundwalke,environedwithbarresofiron.”‡AndDug-dale,inhisOriginesJuridiciales,published1666,thusdescribesthem:“Withinaspaciousgrateof iron in the midst of the round walk under the steeple, do lye eight statues inmilitaryhabits,eachof themhavinglargeanddeepshieldsontheir leftarmes,ofwhichfivearecross-legged.Therearealsothreeothergravestoneslyingaboutfiveinchesabovetheleveloftheground,ononeofwhichisalargeescocheon,withalion rampant graven thereon.”* Such is the ancient account of thesemonuments;now,however,sixinsteadoffivecross-leggedstatuesaretobeseen,makingninearmed knights, whilst only one coped gravestone remains. The effigies are nolongerinclosed“withinaspaciousgrateofiron,”butaredividedintotwogroupsenvironed by iron railings, and are placed on either side of the entrance to theoblongportionofthechurch.

* Plurimique nobiles apud eos humati fuerunt, quorum imagines visuntur in hoc Templo, tibiis in crucemtransversis (sicenimsepulti fueruntquotquot illosasculonominabellosacrodedissent,velquiut tune temporissuntlocuticrucemsuscepissent.)

E quibus fuerunt Guilielmus Pater, Guilielmus et Gilberti ejus filii, oninesmarescalliAngliæ,comitesquePembrochiæ.—Camden’sBritannia,p.375.

†Stow’sSurvey.‡MS.InnerTempleLibrary,No.17.fol.402.

Whatever change was made in their original position appears to have beeneffectedat the time that thechurchwassoshamefullydisfiguredby theProtestantlawyers, either in the year 1682, when it was “thoroughly repaired,” or in 1695,when “the ornamental screenwas set up in itinasmuch, as we are informed by anewspaper,calledtheFlyingPost,ofthedateofthe2ndofJanuary,1696,thatRogerGillingham, Esq., treasurer of the Middle Temple, who died on the 29th ofDecember,1695,aet.seventy,hadthecreditoffacingtheTempleChurchwithNewPortlandstone,andof“marshallingtheKnightsTemplarsinuniformorder.”†Stowtellsusthat“thefirstofthecrossedleggedwasWilliamMarshall,theelder,earlofPembroke,”but the effigyof that noblemannowstands the second; the additionalfigureappearstohavebeenplacedthefirst,andseemstohavebeenbroughtfrom

thewesterndoorwayandlaidbythesideoftheothers.During the recent restoration of the church, it was necessary to excavate the

earth in every part of the Round, and just beneath the pavement of the externalcircularaisleorporticoenvironingthetower,wasfoundabrokensarcophagusofPurbeck marble, containing a skull and some bones apparently of very greatantiquity; the upper surface of the sarcophagus was on a level with the ancientpavement;ithadnomarkorinscriptionuponit,andseemedoriginallytohavebeendecoratedwithamonumentaleffigy.

From two ancient manuscript accounts of the foundation of Walden Abbey,written by the monks of that great religious house, we learn that Geoffrey deMagnaville, earl ofEssex, the founder of it, being slain by an arrow, in the year1144,wastakenbytheKnightsTemplarstotheOldTemple,thathewasafterwardsremoved to the cemeteryof theNewTemple, and thathisbodywasburied in theporticobeforethewesterndoorofthechurch.*Thesarcophaguslatelyfoundinthatposition is of Purbeckmarble; so also is the first figure on the south side of theRound,whilstnearlyalltheothersareofcommonstone.Thetabletwhereonitrestshadbeengrooved round the edges andpolished; three sideswereperfect, but thefourthhaddecayedawaytotheextentofsixorseveninches.Thesidesofthemarblesarcophagus had also been carefully smoothed and polished.The same thingwasnot observable amongst the other sarcophagi and figures. It must, moreover, bementioned, that the first figureon the south sidehadnocoffinof anydescriptionunderit.Wemay,therefore,reasonablyconclude,thatthisfigureisthemonumentaleffigyofGeoffreydeMagnaville,earlofEssex.Itrepresentsanarmedknightwithhislegscrossed,†intokenthathehadassumedthecross,andtakenavowtofightindefenceoftheChristianfaith.Hisbodyiscasedinchainmail,overwhichiswornalooseflowinggarmentconfinedtothewaistbyagirdle,hisrightarmisplacedonhis breast, and his left supports a long shield charged with rays on a diamondground. On his right side hangs a ponderous sword of immense length, and hishead,whichrestsonastonecushion,iscoveredwithanelegantly-shapedhelmet.

*OriginesJuridiciales,p.173.†Nicholls’Leicestershire,vol.iii.p.960.

GeoffreydeMagnaville,earlofEssex,towhosememorytheabovemonumentappears tohavebeenerected,wasoneof themostviolentof those“baronsbold”whodesolatedEnglandso fearfullyduring the reignofKingStephen.Hewas thesonofthatfamoussoldier,GeoffreydeMagnaville,whofoughtsovaliantlyatthebattle of Hastings, and was endowed by the conqueror with one hundred andeighteen lordships in England. From his father William de Magnaville, and hismother Magaret, daughter and heiress of the great Eudo Dapifer, Sir GeoffreyinheritedanimmenseestateinEnglandandinNormandy.OntheaccessionofKing

Stephen to the throne, he was made constable of the Tower, and created earl ofEssex,andwassentbythekingtotheIsleofElytoputdownarebellionwhichhadbeenexcitedtherebyBaldwindeRivers,andNigelbishopofEly.‡

In A.D. 1136, he founded the great abbey of Walden in Essex, which wasconsecrated by the bishops of London, Ely, and Norwich, in the presence of SirGeoffrey, the ladyRoisia hiswife, and all his principal tenants. § For some timeafterthecommencementofthewarbetweenStephenandtheempressMatildaforthesuccessiontothethrone,heremainedfaithfultotheformer,butafterthefatalresultof thebloodybattleofLincoln, inwhichKingStephenwas takenprisoner, he, incommonwithmost of the other barons, adhered to the party ofMatilda; and thatprincess,fullysensibleofhisgreatpowerandcommandinginfluence,leftnomeansuntriedtoattachhimpermanentlytoherinterests.SheconfirmedhiminhispostofconstableoftheTower;grantedhimthehereditaryshrievaltiesofseveralcounties,togetherwithlargeestatesandpossessionsbothinEnglandandinNormandy,andinvestedhimwithnumerousandimportantprivileges.*Ontheflightoftheempress,however,andthediscomfitureofherparty,KingStephenwasreleasedfromprison,andanapparentreconciliationtookplacebetweenhimandhispowerfulvassaltheearlofEssex,butshortlyafterwardthekingventuredupontheboldstepofseizingand imprisoning the earl and his father-in-law,Aubrey deVere,whilst theywereunsuspectinglyattendingthecourtatSaintAlban’s.

* “ In portico ante ostium ecclesias occidentale.” The word proticus, which means “ a walking placeenvironedwithpillars,”exactlycorrespondswith theexternalcircularwalksurrounding theroundtowerof thechurch.

†Somesurprisehasbeenexpressedthattheeffigiesofwomenshouldbefoundinthiscuriousposition.Itmustberecollected,thatwomenfrequentlyfoughtinthefieldduringtheCrusades,andwerehightlyapplaudedforsodoing.

‡Hovedenapudrer.Anglicar.Script.postBedam,p.488.Dugdale’sBaronage,vol.i.p.201.Lei.Coll.Vol.i.864.

§Monast.Angl.,vol.i.p.444to464.

TheearlofEssexwascompelledtosurrendertheTowerofLondon,andseveralofhisstrongcastles,asthepriceofhisfreedom;†buthewasnosooneratliberty,than he collected together his vassals and adherents, and raised the standard ofrebellion.Hewasjoinedbycrowdsoffreebootersandneedyadventurers,andsoonfound himself at the head of a powerful army. He laid waste the royal domains,pillagedtheking’sservants,andsubsistedhisfollowersuponplunder.Hetookandsacked the town of Cambridge, laid waste the surrounding country, and stormedseveralroyalcastles.HewasafterwardscompelledtoretreatforabriefperiodintothefensbeforeasuperiorforceledagainsthimbyKingStepheninperson.

Themostfrightfulexcessesaresaidtohavebeencommittedbythispotentearl.Hesentspies,wearetold,tobegfromdoortodoor,anddiscoverwhererichmendwelt,thathemightseizethematnightintheirbeds,throwthemintodungeons,and

compelthepaymentofaheavyransomfortheirliberty.‡HegotbywatertoRamsey,andenteringtheabbeyofSt.Benedictatmorning’s

dawn,surprisedthemonksasleepintheirbedsafterthefatigueofnocturnaloffices;heturnedthemoutoftheircells,filledtheabbeywithhissoldiers,andmadeafortofthechurch;hetookawayallthegoldandsilvervesselsofthealtar,thecopesandvestments of the priests and singers ornamentedwith precious stones, and all thedecorationsof the church, and sold them formoney to rewardhis soldiers.*Themonkishhistoriansoftheperiodspeakwithhorrorofthesesacrilegiousexcesses.

*Dugd.Bar.,vol.i.p.202.Selden,tit.hon.p.647.†TrivetiannalesapudHall,p.12,13,adann.1143.Guill.Neubr.Lib.i.cap.ii.p.44.adann.1143.Hoveden,

p.488,Hist.Minor.Matt.Par.inbib.Reg.apudS.Jacobum.‡HenryHuntingdon,lib.viii.Rer.Anglicar.Script.postBedam,p.393.Chron.Gervasii,apudscript.X.col.

Radulph deDiceto, ib. col. 508. Vir autem istemagnanimus, velut equus validus et infrænus,maneria, villas,cæteraque,proprietatemregiamcontingents, invasit, ignicombussit,&c.&c.MS.InBibl.Arund.,A.D.1647,a.43.cap.ix.,nowintheLibraryoftheRoyalSociety.AnnalesDunstapleapudHearne,tom.i.p.25.

“He dared,” saysWilliam, themonk ofNewburgh,who lived in the reign ofKingStephen,“tomakethatcelebratedandholyplacearobber ’scave,andtoturnthesanctuaryoftheLordintoanabodeofthedevil.Heinfestedalltheneighbouringprovinceswithfrequentincursions,andatlength,emboldenedbyconstantsuccess,he alarmed and harassed King Stephen himself by his daring attacks. He thus,indeed, ragedmadly, and it seemed as if the Lord slept and cared no longer forhuman affairs, or rather his own, that is to say, ecclesiastical affairs, so that thepiouslabourersinChrist’svineyardexclaimed,‘Arise,OGod,maintainthineowncause…howlongshalltheadversarydothisdishonour,howlongshalltheenemyblaspheme thyname?’ButGod,willing tomakehis power known, as the apostlesaith,enduredwithmuch‘long-sufferingthevesselsofwrathfittedtodestruction,’andatlastsmotehisenemiesintheirhinderparts.Itwasdiscoveredindeed,ashorttimebefore thedestructionof this impiousman,aswehavelearnedfromthetruerelation ofmanywitnesses, that thewalls of the church sweated pure blood,— aterriblemanifestation,asitafterwardsappeared,oftheenormityofthecrime,andofthespeedyjudgementofGoduponthesinners.”†

ForthissacrilegeandimpietySirGeoffreywasexcommunicated,but,deridingthespiritualthunders,hewentandlaidsiegetotheroyalcastleatBurwell.Afterasuccessful attack which brought him to the foot of the rampart, he took off hishelmet, it being summer-time and the weather hot, that he might breathe morefreely,whenafootsoldierbelongingtothegarrisonshotanarrowfromaloopholeinthecastlewall,andgavehimaslightwoundonthehead;“whichslightwound,”saysourworthymonkofNewburgh,“althoughatfirsttreatedwithderision,afterafew days destroyed him, so that that most ferocious man, never having beenabsolvedfromthebondoftheecclesiasticalcurse,wenttohell.”‡

*VaaaautemaltarisaureaetargenteaDeosacrata,capaaetiamcantorumlapidibuspreciosiaacoperemirificocontextas,casulaacumalbisetcæterisecclesiasticidecorisornamentiarapuit,&c.MS.utsup.Gest.reg.Steph.p.693,964.

†De vitâ sceleratâ et condigno interituGaufridi deMagnavilla.—Guill. Neubr. lib. i. cap. xi. p. 44 to 46.Henry of Huntingdon, who lived in King Stephen’s reign, and kept up a correspondence with the abbot ofRamsay, thus speaks of thiswonderful phenomenon, ofwhich he declares himself an eye-witness.Dum autemecclesia ilia pro castello teneretur, ebullivit sanguis a parietibus ecclesiæ; et claustri adjacentis, indignationemdivinammanifestans;sceleratorumexterminationemdenuntians,quodquidemmultividerant,etego ipsequidemmeisoculisinspexi!Script.postBedam. lib.viii.p.393,ed.1601,Francfort.Hoveden,whowroteshortlyafter,hascopiedthisaccount.Annales,ib.p.488.

‡GuillNeubr,utsupr.p.45,46.Chron.Gervasii,apudX.script,col.1360.Annal.S.Augustin.Trivetadann.1144,p.14.Chron.Brampton,col.1033.Hoveden,utsupr.p.488.

Peter deLangtoft thus speaks of these evil doings of the earl ofEssex, in hiscuriouspoeticchronicle.

“TheabbayofRameseiebinyghtherobbeditThetresorebareaweiewithhandtheimyghtonhit.Abbot,andprior,andmonk,theididoutchace,Ofholykirkeatouretothefttheimaditplace.RoberdtheMarmion,thesamewayesdidhe,HerobbedthorghtresonthekirkofCouentre.Herenowoftheirschame,whatchancebefelle,Thestorysaisthesamesothasthegospelle:GeffreyofMaundeuiletofelewrouhhowouh,*Thedeuellegaldhimhiswhilewithanarrowehimslouh.ThegodebishopofChestrecursedthisilkGeffrey,Thelifoutofhisestreincursingwentaway.Arnulfhissonnewastakenalsthefe,andbrouhtinbond,Beforethekyngforsaken,andexiledoutofhislond.”†

ThemonksofWaldentellus,thatastheearllaywoundedonhissickcouch,andfelt the hand of death pressing heavy upon him, he bitterly repented of his evildeeds, and sought, but in vain, for ecclesiastical assistance. At last someKnightsTemplarscame tohim,andfindinghimhumbleandcontrite,prayingearnestly toGod,andmakingwhatsatisfactionhecouldforhispastoffences, theyputonhimthe habit of their religionmarked with the red cross. After he had expired, theycarried thedeadbodywith themto theOldTempleatLondon;butas theearlhaddied excommunicated, they durst not give him Christian burial in consecratedground,andtheyaccordinglysolderedhimupinlead,andhunghimonacrookedtreeintheirorchard.‡

Some years afterwards, through the exertions and at the expense ofWilliam,whomtheearlhadmadepriorofWaldenAbbey,hisabsolutionwasobtainedfrompopeAlexander theThird, so thathisbodywaspermitted tobe receivedamongstChristians, and thedivineoffices tobecelebrated forhim.Theprior accordinglyendeavoured to take down the corpse and carry it to Walden; but the Templars,beinginformedofhisdesign,burieditintheirowncemeteryattheNewTemple,*intheporticobeforethewesterndoorofthechurch.†

*Grewmadwithmuchanger.† PeterLangtoft’sChronicle,vol. i.123,byRobertofBrunne,Translated fromaMS. in the InnerTemple

Library,Oxon.1725.‡ In pomoerio suo veteris, scilicet Templi apud London, canali inclusum plumbeo, in arbore torvâ

suspenderant.AncientMS.DefundationecoenobiiSanctiJacobideWaldena,fol.43,a.cap.ix.No.51,intheLibraryoftheRoyalSociety.

Pope Alexander, from whom the absolution was obtained, was elected to thepontificalchairinSeptember,1159,anddiedin1181.Itwasthispontiffwho,whobythe bull omne datum optimum, promulgated in the year 1162, conceded to theTemplarstheprivilegeofhavingtheirowncemeteriesfreefromtheinterferenceoftheregularclergy.Thelandwhereontheconventof theNewTemplewaserected,was purchased soon after the publication of the above bull, and a cemetery wasdoubtless consecrated there for the brethren long before the completion of thechurch.Tothiscemeterythebodyoftheearlwasremovedaftertheabsolutionhadbeenobtained,andwhenthechurchwasconsecratedbythepatriarch,(A.D.1185),itwasfinallyburiedintheporticobeforethewestdoor.

ThemonksofWaldentellusthattheaboveearlofEssexwasareligiousman,endowedwithmanyvirtues.‡

He was married to the famous Roisia de Vere, of the family of the earls ofOxford, who in her old age led an ascetic life, and constructed for herself anextraordinarysubterraneancellororatory,whichwascuriouslydiscoveredtowardsthe close of the last century. § He had issue by this illustrious lady four sons,Ernulph,Geoffrey,William,andRobert.Ernulphwasexiledas theaccompliceofthefatherinhisevildeeds,andGeoffreysuccededtothetitleandtheestates.

The secondof thecross-legged figureson the south side, in theRoundof theTempleChurch,isthemonumentaleffigyof

WILLIAMMARSHALL,EARLOFPEMBROKE,EARL MARSHALL, AND PROTECTOR OF ENGLAND, DURING the minority of King

HenrytheThird,andoneofthegreatestofthewarriorsandstatesmenwhoshineinEnglishhistory.MatthewParisdescribeshisburialintheTempleChurchintheyear1119, and inCamden’s time, (A.D. 1586), the inscription uponhismonumentwaslegible. “In altero horum tumulo,” says Camden, “literis fugien bus legi,ComesPembrochice,etinlatere,MileseramMartis,Marsmultosviceratarmis”*Althoughno longer, (“the first of the cross-legged”), as described by Stow,A.D. 1598, yettraditionhasalways,sincethedaysofRogerGillingham,whomovedthesefigures,pointeditoutas“themonument,oftheprotector,”andthelionrampant,stillplainlyvisibleupontheshield,wasthearmorialbearingoftheMarshalls.

*CumquePrior ille, corpus defunctumdeponere, et secumWaldenam transferre satageret, Templarii cautepremeditati,statimilludtollentes,incimiterioNoviTempliignobilisatistradideruntsepulturæ.—Ib.

† A.D. mclxiIII, sexto kal. Octobris, obiit Galfridus de Mandeuil, comes Essexiæ, fundator primus hujusmonasteriideWalden,cujuscorpusjacetLondoniishumatum,apudTemple-barinporticuanteostiumecclesioe

occidental.MS.inthelibraryoftheRoyalSociety,markedNo.29,entitledLiberdefundationeSanctiJacobiApostolideWaldenâ.Cotton,MS.Vesp.E.vi.fol.25.

‡Hovedenspeaksofhimasamanof thehighestprobity,but irreligious.Eratautemsummæprobitatis, sedsummæinDeumobstinationis,magnæinmundanisdiligentiæ,magnæinDeumnegligentiæ.Hovedenutsupra.

§Itwasarecess,hewnoutofthechalk,ofabellshapeandexactlycircular,thirtyfeethighandseventyfeetin diameter. The sides of this curious retreat were adorned with imagery in basso relievo of crucifixes, saints,martyrs,andhistoricalpieces,whichthepiousandeccentricladyissupposedtohavecutforherentertainment.—Seetheextraordinaryaccountofthediscovery,in1742,oftheLadyRoisia’sCaveatRoyston,publishedbyDr.Stukeley.Cambridge,1795.

Thisinterestingmonumentaleffigyiscarvedinacommonkindofstone,calledbythemasonsfirestone.Itrepresentsanarmedwarriorclothedfromheadtofootinchainmail;he is in theactof sheathingaswordwhichhangsonhis left side;hislegsarecrossed,andhisfeet,whicharearmedwithspurs,restonalioncouchant.Over his armour isworn a loose garment, confined to thewaist by a girdle, andfrom his left arm hangs suspended a shield, having a lion rampant engravedthereon.Thegreater part of the swordhas beenbroken away and lost,whichhasgivenrisetothesuppositionthatheissheathingadagger.Theheadisdefendedbyaroundhelmet,andrestsonastonepillow.

The family of theMarshalls derived their name from the hereditary office ofearlmarshall,whichtheyheldunderthecrown.

The aboveWilliamMarshall was the son and heir of JohnMarshall, earl ofStrigul, and was the faithful and constant supporter of the royal house ofPlantagenet.When theyoungPrinceHenry, eldest sonofKingHenry theSecond,wasonhisdeathbedatthecastleofMartelnearTurenne,hegavetohim,ashisbestfriend,hiscrosstocarrytoJerusalem.†OnthereturnofWilliamMarshallfromtheholycity,hewaspresentatthecoronationofRichardCoecurdeLion,andboreonthatoccasion the royal sceptreofgoldsurmountedbyacross.‡KingRichard thesame year gave him in marriage Isabel de Clare, the only child and heiress ofRichard deClare, earl of Pembroke, surnamedStrongbow, and granted himwiththisillustriousladytheearldomofPembroke.§Theyearfollowing(A.D.1190)hebecameoneofthesuretiesfortheperformancebyKingRichardofhispartofthetreatyenteredintowiththekingofFrancefortheaccomplishmentofthecrusadetothe Holy Land, and on the departure of King Richard for the far East he wasappointedby thatmonarchoneof thecouncil for thegovernmentof thekingdomduringhisabsence.*

*Camden’sBritannia,ed.1600,p.375.† TradiditWillielmoMarescallo, familiari suo, crucem suam Jerosolymam deferendam.Hoveden ad ann.

1183,apudrer.Anglic.Script.postBedam,p.620.‡Chron.JoanBrompton,apudX.script.col.1158.Hoveden,p.655,666.§Selden’sTit.ofHonour,p.677.

From theyear1189 to1205hewas sheriffofLincolnshire, andwasafter thatsheriffofSussex,andheldthatofficeduringthewholeofKingRichard’sreign.He

attended Coeur de Lion in his expedition to Normandy, and on the death of thatmonarch by the hand of Bertram, the cross-bow-man, before the walls of CastleGhaluz, he was sent over to England to keep the peace of the kingdom until thearrival of King John. In conjunction with Hubert, archbishop of Canterbury, hecaused the freemen of England, both of the cities and boroughs, andmost of theearls,barons,andfreetenants,toswearfealtytoJohn.†

On the arrival of the latter in England he was constituted sheriff ofGloucestershire andofSussex, andwas shortly afterwards sent intoNormandy attheheadofalargebodyofforces.HecommandedinthefamousbattlefoughtA.D.1202beforethefortressofMirabel,inwhichtheunfortunatePrinceArthurandhislovelysisterEleanor,“thepearlofBrittany,”weretakenprisoners,togetherwiththeearlofMarch,mostofthenobilityofPoictouandAnjou,andtwohundredFrenchknights, who were ignominiously put into fetters, and sent away in carts toNormandy.Thisbattlewasfollowed,asiswellknown,bythemysteriousdeathofPrinceArthur,whoissaidtohavebeenmurderedbyKingJohnhimself,whilstthebeautifulEleanor,nicknamedLaBret,who,after thedeathofherbrother,was thenext heiress to the crown of England, was confined in close custody in BristolCastle,wheresheremainedaprisonerforlife.Attheheadoffourthousandinfantryand three thousand cavalry, the earlMarshall attempted to relieve the fortress ofChateau Gaillard, which was besieged by Philip king of France, but failed inconsequenceofthenon-arrivalofseventyflat-bottomedvessels,whoseprogressuptheriverSeinehadbeenretardedbyastrongcontrarywind.‡Forhis fidelityandservices to thecrownhewas rewardedwithnumerousmanors, lands,andcastles,bothinEnglandandinNormandy,with thewholeprovinceofLeinster inIreland,andhewasmadegovernorofthecastlesofCaermerden,Cardigan,andCoher.

Intheyear1204hewassentambassadortoParis,andonhisreturnhecontinuedtobetheconstantandfaithfulattendantoftheEnglishmonarch.HewasoneofthewitnessestothesurrenderbyKingJohnatTempleEwellofhiscrownandkingdomtothepope,§andwhenthebarons’warbrokeouthewastheconstantmediatorandnegotiatorbetweenthekingandhisrebellioussubjects,enjoyingtheconfidenceandrespect of both parties.When the armed barons came to theTemple,whereKingJohn resided, todemand the libertiesand lawsofKingEdward,hebecamesuretyfor the performance of the king’s promise to satisfy their demands. He wasafterwardsdeputed to inquirewhat these lawsand libertieswere, andafterhavingreceivedatStamfordthewrittendemandsofthebarons,heurgedthekingtosatisfythem.Failing in this,he returned toStamford toexplain theking’sdenial,and thebarons’war then broke out.He afterwards accompaniedKing John to theTower,andwhenthebaronsenteredLondonhewassenttoannouncethesubmissionoftheking to their desires. Shortly afterwards he attendedKing John toRunnymede, incompanywithBrotherAmeric,theMasteroftheTemple,andattheearnestrequest

of these two exalted personages, King John was at last induced to sign Magnacharta*.

*Hoveden,p.659,660.RadulfdeDiceto,apudX.script.p.659.†Matt.Par.,p.196.Hoveden,p.792.DugdaleBaronage,tom.i.p.601.‡Trivet,p.144.Gul.Britt,lib.vii.Ann.Waverley,p.168.§IMatt.Par.,p.237.

Onthedeathofthatmonarch,inthemidstofacivilwarandaforeigninvasion,he assembled the loyal bishops and barons of the land at Gloucester, and by hiseloquence, talents,andaddress,securedthethroneforKingJohn’sson, theyoungPrinceHenry.†The greater part ofEnglandwas at that time in the possession ofPrince Louis, the dauphin of France, who had landed with a French army atSandwich,andwassupportedbythelateking’srebelliousbaronsinaclaimtothethrone.Pembrokewaschosenguardianandprotectoroftheyoungkingandofthekingdom,andexertedhimselfwithgreatzealandsuccessindrivingouttheFrench,andinbringingbacktheEnglishtotheirancientallegiance.‡Heofferedpardonintheking’snametothedisaffectedbaronsfortheirpastoffences.Heconfirmed,inthenameoftheyouthfulsovereign,MagnaChartaandtheChartaForestÆ;andasthe great seal had been lost by King John, together with all his treasure, in thewashesofLincolnshire,thedeedsofconfirmationweresealedwiththesealoftheearlmarshallchangeasmarshall.§HealsoextendedthebenefitofMagnaChartatoIreland,andcommandedallthesheriffstoreaditpubliclyatthecountycourts,andenforce itsobservance ineveryparticular.Having thusexertedhimself to removethejustcomplaintsofthedisaffected,heleviedaconsiderablearmy,andhavinglefttheyoungkingatBristol,heproceededtolaysiegetothecastleofMountsorelinLeicestershire,whichwasinthepossessionoftheFrench.

PrinceLouishad,inthemeantime,despatchedanarmyoftwentythousandmen,officeredbysixhundredknights,fromLondonagainstthenortherncounties.Thesemercenaries stormed various strong castles, despoiled the towns, villages, andreligioushouses,andlaidwastetheopencountry.Theprotectorconcentratedallhisforces at Newarke, and on Whit-monday, A.D. 1217, he marched at their head,accompanied by his eldest son and the young king, to raise the siege of LincolnCastle.OnarrivingatStowhehaltedhis army, and leaving theyouthfulmonarchand the royal family at that place under the protection of a strong guard, heproceeded with the remainder of his forces to Lincoln. On Saturday inWhitsunweek (A.D. 1217) he gained a complete victory over the disaffected English andtheirFrenchallies,andgaveadeathblowtothehopesandprospectsofthedauphin.Fourearls,elevenbarons,andfourhundredknights,weretakenprisoners,besidescommon soldiers innumerable. The earl of Perch, a Frenchman,was slainwhilstmanfullydefendinghimselfinachurchyard,havingpreviouslyhadhishorsekilledunderhim.Therebelforcelostalltheirbaggage,provisions,treasure,andthespoil

which they had accumulated from the plunder of the northern provinces, amongwhichweremanyvaluablegoldandsilvervessels tornfromthechurchesand themonasteries.

*Matt.Par.,p.253—256,adann.1215.†Seehiseloquentaddresstothebishopsandbaronsinbehalfoftheyoungking.—Hemingford,lib.iii.cap.

1.p.562,apudGaleXV.script.‡ Matt.Par.,p.289,adann.1216.ActaRymeri,tom.i.p.216.§ Hemingford, p. 565, 568. “These liberties, distinctly reduced to writing, we send to you our faithful

subjects, sealdedwith the sealofour faithfulWilliamMarshall, earlofPembroke, theguardianofus andourkingdom, becausewe have not as yet any seal.”ActaRymeri, tom. i. part 1. p. 146, ed. 1816.Thomson, onMagnaCharta,p.117,130.All thechartersandletterspatentweresealedwiththesealoftheearlmarshall,“Rectorisnostriletregni,eoquodnondumsigillumhabuimus.ActaRymeri,tom.i.224,ed.1704.

Assoonasthefateofthedaywasdecided,theprotectorrodebacktotheyoungking at Stow, and was the first to communicate the happy intelligence of hisvictory.*HethenmarcheduponLondon,wherePrinceLouisandhisadherentshadfortified themselves, and leaving a corps of observation in the neighbourhoodofthemetropolis,heproceededtotakepossessionofalltheeasterncounties.Havingreceived intelligence of the concentration of a French fleet at Calais to make adescent upon the English coast, he armed the ships of the Cinque Ports, and,interceptingtheFrenchvessels,hegainedabrilliantvictoryoveramuchsuperiornavalforceoftheenemy.†ByhisvalourandmilitarytalentshespeedilyreducedtheFrench prince to the necessity of suing for peace.‡ On the 11th of September apersonal interview took place between the latter and the protector at Staines nearLondon, and it was agreed that the prince and all the French forces shouldimmediatelyevacuatethecountry.

Having thus rescued England from the danger of a foreign yoke, and havingestablishedtranquillity throughout thecountry,andsecured theyoungKingHenryin the peaceable and undisputed possession of the throne, he died (A.D. 1219) atCaversham,leavingbehindhim,saysMatthewParis,suchareputationasfewcouldcomparewith. His dead bodywas, in the first instance, conveyed to the abbey atReading,whereitwasreceivedbythemonksinsolemnprocession.Itwasplacedinthe choir of the church, and high mass was celebrated with vast pomp. On thefollowing day it was brought toWestminsterAbbey,where highmasswas againperformed; and from thence itwasborne in state to theTempleChurch,where itwassolemnlyinterredonAscension-day,A.D.1219.*MatthewParistellsusthatthefollowing epitaph was composed to the memory of the above distinguishednobleman:

*MattPar.,p.292—296.†MatthewParis bearswitness to thegreat superiority of theEnglish sailors over theFrench even in those

days.—Ibid.,p.298.Trivet,p.167—169.‡ActaRymeri,tom.i.p.219,221,223.

“SumquemSaturnumsibisensitHibernia,solemAnglia,MercuriumNormannia,GalliaMartem.”Forhewas,sayshe,alwaysthetamerofthemischievousIrish,thehonourand

glory of the English, the negotiator of Normandy, in which he transacted manyaffairs,andawarlikeandinvinciblesoldierinFrance.

Theinscriptionuponhistombwas,inCamden’stime,almostillegible,asbeforementioned,andtheonlyversethatcouldbereadwas,

“MileseramMartisMarsmultosviceratarmis.”All the historians of the period speak in the highest terms of the earl of

Pembroke as a warrior† and a statesman, and concur in giving him a noblecharacter.Shakespeare,consequently,inhisplayofKingJohn,representshimastheeloquentintercessorinbehalfoftheunfortunatePrinceArthur.

Surroundedbythenobles,hethusaddressestheKingonhisthrone—

“Pembroke.I(asonethatamthetongueofthese,Tosoundthepurposesofalltheirhearts),Bothformyselfandthem,(but,chiefofall,Yoursafety,forthewhichmyselfandthemBendtheirbeststudies),heartilyrequestTheenfranchisementofArthur;whoserestraintDothmovethemurmuringlipsofdiscontentTobreakintothisdangerousargument,—If,whatinrestyouhave,inrightyouhold,Whythenyourfeara,(which,astheysay,attendThestepsofwrong),shouldmoveyoutomewupYourtenderkinsman,andtochokehisdaysWithbarbarousignorance,anddenyhisyouthTherichadvantageofgoodexercise?Thatthetime’senemiesmaynothavethisTograceoccasions,letitbeoursuitThatyouhavebidusaskhisliberty;Whichforourgoodswedonofurtherask,Thanwhereuponourweal,onyoudepending.Countsityourweal,hehavehisliberty.”

*Dugd. Baronage, tom. i. p. 602,A.D. 1219.Willielmus senior,mareschallusRegis et rector regni, diemclausit extremum, etLondini apudNovumTemplumhonorifice tumulatur, scilicet in ecclesia, inAscensionisdievidelicetxvii.CalendasAprilis.––Matt.Par.p.304.AnnDunstaple,adann.1219.Ann.Waverley.

† Milesstrenuissimusetperuniversumorbemnominatissimus.—Chron.T.WikesapudGale,script.XV.p.39.

Afterwards,whenheisshownthedeadbodyoftheunhappyprince,heexclaims—

“Odeath,madeproudwithpureandprincelybeauty!Theearthhadnotaholetohidethisdeed.

Allmurderspastdostandexcusedinthis:Andthis,sosole,andsounmatchable,Shallgiveaholiness,apurity,Totheyetunbegottensinoftimes,

Andproveadeadlybloodshedbutajest,Exampledbythisheinousspectacle.”

This illustrious noblemanwas a great benefactor to theTemplars.He grantedthem the advowsons of the churches of Spenes, Castelan-Embyan, together witheightyacresoflandinEschirmanhir.*

BythesideoftheearlofPembroke,towardsthenorthernwindowsoftheRoundoftheTempleChurch,reposesayouthfulwarrior,clothedinarmourofchainmail;he has a long buckler on his left arm, and his hands are pressed together insupplicationuponhisbreast.ThisisthemonumentaleffigyofRobertLorddeRos,andisthemostelegantandinterestinginappearanceofallthecross-leggedfiguresin the Temple Church. The head is uncovered, and the countenance, which isyouthful, has a remarkably pleasing expression, and is graced with long andflowinglocksofcurlinghair.Ontheleftsideofthefigureisaponderoussword,andthearmourofthelegshasaridgeorseamupthefront,whichiscontinuedovertheknee, and formsakindofgarterbelow theknee.The feet are tramplingonalion, and the legs are crossed in token that thewarriorwasoneof thosemilitaryenthusiastswhosostrangelymingledreligionandromance,“whoseexploitsformtheconnecting linkbetweenfactand fiction,betweenhistoryand the fairy tale.” Ithas generally been thought that this interesting figure is intended to represent agenuineKnightTemplarclothedinthehabitofhisorder,andtheloosegarmentorsurcoatthrownoverthering-armour,andconfinedtothewaistbyagirdle,hasbeendescribedas“aflowingmantlewithakindofcowl.”Thissupposedcowlisnothingmorethanafoldofthechainmail,whichhasbeencoveredwithathickcoatingofpaint.Themantle is thecommonsurcoatwornby thesecularwarriorsof theday,andisnotthehabitoftheTemple.Moreover,thelongcurlinghairmanifeststhatthewarriorwhomit representscouldnothavebeenaTemplar,as thebrethrenof theTemplewererequiredtocuttheirhairclose,andtheyworelongbeards.

*Monast.Angl.,p.833,834,837,843.

In an ancient genealogical account of the Ros family,* written at thecommencementofthereignofHenrytheEighth,A.D.1513,twocenturiesaftertheabolitionoftheOrderoftheTemple,itisstatedthatRobertLorddeRosbecameaTemplar,andwasburiedatLondon.Thewritermusthavebeenmistakened,asthatnoblemanremainedinpossessionofhisestatesuptothedayofhisdeath,andhiseldestson,afterhisdecease,hadliveryofhislands,andpaidhisfinetothekingintheusualway,whichwouldnothavebeenthecaseif theLorddeRoshadenteredintotheOrderoftheTemple.Hewasdoubtlessanassociateorhonorarymemberofthe fraternity, and the circumstance of his being buried in the Temple Churchprobablygaverisetothemistake.Theshieldofhismonumentaleffigyischargedwith three water bougets, the armorial ensigns of his family, similar to those

observableinthenorthaisleofWestminsterAbbey.RobertLorddeRos, inconsequenceof thedeathofhis father in theprimeof

life,succeededtohisestatesattheearlyageofthirteen,andinthesecondyearofthereignofRichardCoeurdeLion,(A.D.1190),hepaidafineofonethousandmarks,(£666,13s.4d.), to thekingfor liveryofhis lands. In theeighthyearof thesameking,hewaschargedwiththecustodyofHughdeChaumont,anillustriousFrenchprisonerofwar,andwascommandedtokeephimsafeashisownlife.He,however,devolvedthedutyuponhisservant,WilliamdeSpiney,who,beingbribed,sufferedtheFrenchman toescapefromtheCastleofBonville, inconsequencewhereof theLord de Ros was compelled by King Richard to pay eight hundred pounds, theransomoftheprisoner,andWilliamdeSpineywasexecuted.†

OntheaccessionofKingJohntothethrone,theLorddeRoswasinhighfavouratcourt,andreceivedbygrantfromthatmonarchthebaronyofhisancestor,Walterl’Espec.HewassentintoScotlandwithlettersofsafeconducttothekingofScots,toenablethatmonarchtoproceedtoEnglandtodohomage,andduringhisstayinScotlandhefellinlovewithIsabella,thebeautifuldaughteroftheScottishking,anddemandedandobtainedherhand inmarriage.Heattendedher royal fatheronhisjourneyintoEnglandtodohomagetoKingJohn,andwaspresentattheinterviewbetweenthetwomonarchsonthehillnearLincoln,whenthekingofScotlandsworefealty on the cross of Hubert archbishop of Canterbury, in the presence of thenobilityofbothkingdoms,andavastconcourseofspectators.*FromhissovereigntheLorddeRosobtainedvariousprivilegesandimmunities,andintheyear1213hewas made sheriff of Cumberland. He was at first faithful to King John, but, incommonwiththebestandbravestofthenoblesoftheland,heafterwardsshookoffhis allegiance, raised the standard of rebellion, andwas amongst the foremost ofthoseboldpatriotswhoobtainedMagnaCharta.Hewaschosenoneofthetwenty-fiveconservatorsofthepublicliberties,andengagedtocompelJohntoobservethegreat charter.† Upon the death of that monarch he was induced to adhere to theinfantPrinceHenry,throughtheinfluenceandpersuasionsoftheearlofPembroke,the Protector,‡ and he received from the youthfulmonarch variousmarks of theroyalfavour.HediedintheeleventhyearofthereignoftheyoungKingHenrytheThird,(A.D.1227),andwasburiedintheTempleChurch.§

*MS.Bib.Cotton.Vitellius,F.4.Monast.Angl.,tom.i.p.728,ed.1655.†Matt.Par.,p.182.adann.1196.

TheaboveLorddeRoswasagreatbenefactortotheTemplars.HegrantedthemthemanorofRibstane,andtheadvowsonofthechurch,thevilleofWalesford,andallhiswindmillsatthatplace;thevilleofHulsyngore,withthewoodandwindmillthere;alsoallhislandatCattail,andvarioustenementsinConyngstreate,York.**

Weeverhasevidentlymisapplied the inscriptionseenontheancientmonument

ofBrotherConstanceHover,thevisitor-generaloftheOrderoftheTemple,totheabovenobleman.

AsregardstheremainingmonumentaleffigiesintheTempleChurch,itappearsutterlyimpossibleatthisdistanceoftimetoidentifythem,astherearenoarmorialbearingsontheirshields,oraughtthatcangiveusacluetotheirhistory.TherecanbenodoubtbutthattwoofthefiguresareintendedtorepresentWilliamMarshall,junior, and GilbertMarshall, both earls of Pembroke, and sons of the Protector.MatthewParistellsusthatthesenoblemenwereburiedbythesideoftheirfatherintheTempleChurch,andtheiridentificationwouldconsequentlyhavebeeneasybutfor the unfortunate removal of the figures from their original situations by theimmortalRogerGillingham.

NexttotheLorddeRosreposesasternwarrior,withbothhisarmscrossedonhis breast. He has a plain wreath around his head, and his shield, which has noarmorialbearings, is slungonhis left arm.By the sideof this figure is acoapedstone,whichformedthelidofanancientsarcophagus.Theridgesuponitrepresentacross,thetopofwhichterminatesinatrefoil,whilstthefootrestsontheheadofalamb.Fromthemiddleoftheshaftofthecrossissuetwofleuretsorleaves.AsthelambwastheemblemoftheOrderoftheTemple,itisprobablethatthesarcophagustowhich thiscoapedstonebelonged,contained thedeadbodyeitherofoneof theMasters,orofoneofthevisitors-generaloftheTemplars.

*Hovedenapudrer.Anglicar.script,postBedam,p.811.†Matt.Par.p.254,262.Lel.Col.Vol.i.p.362.‡ActaRymeri,tom.i.p.224.adann.1217.§Dugd.Baronage,vol.i.p.545,546.**Monast.Angl.,vol.vi.partii.p.838,842.

OfthefiguresinthenorthernmostgroupofmonumentaleffigiesintheTempleChurch, only two are cross-legged.The first figureon the south sideof the row,whichisstraight-legged,holdsadrawnswordinitsrighthandpointedtowardstheground; the feet are supported by a leopard, and the cushion under the head isadorned with sculptured foliage and flowers. The third figure has the swordsuspendedontherightside,andthehandsarejoinedinadevotionalattitudeuponthebreast.Thefourthhasaspiritedappearance.Itrepresentsacross-leggedwarriorin the act of drawing a sword, whilst he is at the same time trampling a dragonunderhisfeet,ItisemblematicalofthereligioussoldierconqueringtheenemiesoftheChristian church.The next and lastmonumental effigy,which likewise has itslegscrossed,issimilarindressandappearancetotheothers;therightarmreposeson the breast, and the left hand rests on the sword.These two last figures,whichcorrespondincharacter,costume,andappearance,mayperhapsbethemonumentaleffigiesofWilliamandGilbertMarshall,thetwosonsoftheProtector.

William Marshall, commonly called the younger, was one of the bold and

patrioticbaronswhocompelledKingJohntosignMagnaCharta.Hewasappointedoneofthetwenty-fiveconservatorsofthepublicliberties,andwasoneofthechiefleadersandpromotersofthebarons’war,beingapartytothecovenantforholdingthecityandTowerofLondon.*OnthedeathofKingJohn,hisfathertheProtectorbrought him over to the cause of the youngKingHenry, the rightful heir to thethrone,whomheservedwithzealandfidelity.Hewasagallantsoldier,andgreatlydistinguished himself in a campaign inWales. He overthrew Prince Llewellyn inbattle with the loss of eight thousand men, and laid waste the dominions of thatprincewithfireandsword.†FortheseserviceshehadscutageofallhistenantsintwentycountiesinEngland!HewasmadegovernorofthecastlesofCardiganandCarmarthen,andreceivedvariousmarksofroyalfavour.InthefourteenthyearofthereignofKingHenrytheThird,hewasmadecaptain-generaloftheking’sforcesinBrittany,and,whilstabsentinthatcountry,awarbrokeoutinIreland,whereuponhe was sent to that kingdomwith a considerable army to restore tranquillity. HemarriedEleanor,thedaughterofKingJohnbythebeautifulIsabellaofAngoulême,andhewasconsequentlythebrother-in-lawoftheyoungKingHenrytheThird.*Hediedwithoutissue,A.D.1231,(16Hen.III.),andonthe14thofAprilhewasburiedin the Temple Church at London, by the side of his father the Protector. Hewasgreatly beloved byKingHenry theThird,who attended his funeral, andMatthewParistellsus,thatwhenthekingsawthedeadbodycoveredwiththemournfulpall,heheavedadeepsigh,andwasgreatlyaffected.†

*Matt.Par.p.254,256.Lei.col.vol.i.p.841.†Matt.Par.p.317,adann.1223.

The manors, castles, estates, and possessions of this powerful nobleman inEngland,Wales, Ireland, andNormandy,were immense.He gave extensive forestlands to the monks of Tinterne in Wales; he founded the monastery of FriarspreachersinDublin,andtotheTemplarshegavethechurchofWestonewithallitsappurtenances,andgrantedandconfirmedtothemtheboroughofBaudac,theestateofLangenache,withvariouslands,windmills,andvilleinsofthesoil.‡

GILBERTMARSHALL,EARLOFPEMBROKE,brother to theabove, and third sonoftheProtector,succeededtotheearldomandthevastestatesofhisancestorsonthemelancholy murder in Ireland of his gallant brother Richard, “the flower of thechivalry of that time,” (A.D. 1234). The year after his accession to the title hemarriedMargaret,thedaughterofthekingofScotland,whoisdesribedbyMatthewParisas“amostelegantgirl,”§andreceivedwithherasplendiddowry.Intheyear1236heassumedthecross,and joined theking’sbrother, theearlofCornwall, inthepromotionofaCrusadetotheHolyLand.

Matthew Paris gives a long account of an absurd quarrel which broke outbetweenthisearlofPembrokeandKingHenrytheThird,whenthelatterwaseating

hisChristmasdinneratWinchester,intheyear1239.**AtagreatmeetingofCrusadersatNorthampton,hetookasolemnoathuponthe

highaltarofthechurchofAllSaintstoproceedwithoutdelaytoPalestinetofightagainsttheenemiesofthecross;††buthisintentionswerefrustratedbythehandofdeath.AtatournamentheldatWare,A.D.1241,hewasthrownfromhishorse,anddiedafewhoursafterwardsatthemonasteryatHertford.Hisentrailswereburiedinthe church of the Virgin at that place, but his body was brought up to London,accompaniedbyallhisfamily,andwasinterredintheTempleChurchbythesideofhisfatherandeldestbrother.*

*Matt.Par.p.366.Ann.Dunst.p.99.134,150.† Eodem temppore, A.D. 1231, mense Aprili, Willielmus, Marescallus comes Pembrochiæ, in militia vir

strenuous, indoloremmultorum,diemclausitextremum,etLondoniisapudNovumTemplumsepultusest, juxtapatrem suum,XVII calend.Maii. Rex autem qui eum indissolubiliter dilexit, cum hæc audivit, et cum vidisset,corpusdefunctipallâcoopertum,exaltotrahenssuspiria,ait,Heu,heu,mihi!nonneadhucpenitusvindicatusestsanguisbeatiThomæMartyris.––Matt.Par.p.368.

‡Dugd.MonastAngl.utsup.p.820.§Margaretampulleamelegantissimammatrimoniosibicopulaverat.––Matt.Par.,p.432,404.**Matt.Par.p.483.††Ib.p.431,483,516,524.

TheaboveGilbertMarshallgrantedto theTemplars thechurchofWeston, theboroughofBaldok,landsandhousesatRoydon,andthewoodofLangnoke.†

All the fivesonsof theelderMarshall, theProtector,diedwithout issue in thereignofHenrytheThird,andthefamilybecameextinct.Theyfollowedoneanotherto the grave in regular succession, so that each attained for a brief period to thedignityoftheearldom,andtothehereditaryofficeofEarlMarshall.

Matthew Paris accounts for the melancholy extinction of this noble andillustriousfamilyinthefollowingmanner.

HetellsusthattheelderMarshall,theProtector,duringacampaigninIreland,seized the landsof the reverendbishopofFernes,andkeptpossessionof them inspiteofasentenceofexcommunicationwhichwaspronouncedagainsthim.Afterthe Protector had gone the way of all flesh, and had been buried in the TempleChurch,thereverendbishopcametoLondon,andmentionedthecircumstancetotheking,tellinghimthattheearlofPembrokehadcertainlydiedexcommunicated.Thekingwasmuchtroubledandalarmedatthisintelligence,andbesoughtthebishoptogo to the earl’s tomb and absolve him from the bond of excommunication,promisingthebishopthathewouldendeavourtoprocurehimamplesatisfaction.Soanxious,indeed,wasKingHenryforthesafetyofthesoulofhisquondamguardian,thatheaccompaniedthebishopinpersontotheTempleChurch;andMatthewParisdeclaresthatthebishop,standingbythetombinthepresenceoftheking,andinthehearingofmanybystanders,pronouncedthesewords:“OWilliam,wholyesthereinterred,andheldfastbythechainofexcommunication,if thoselandswhichthouhastunjustlytakenawayfrommychurchberenderedbacktomebytheking,orby

yourheir,orbyanyofyourfamily,andifduesatisfactionbemadeforthelossandinjury I have sustained, I grant you absolution; but if not, I confirmmyprevioussentence, so that, enveloped in your sins, you stand for evermore condemned tohell!”

The restitution was never made, and the indignant bishop pronounced thisfurther curse, in thewords of thePsalmist: “His name shall be rooted out in onegeneration, and his sons shall be deprived of the blessing, Increase andmultiply;someof themshalldieamiserabledeath; their inheritanceshallbescattered;andthis thou,Oking, shall behold in thy lifetime, yea, in the days of thy flourishingyouth.”MatthewParisdwellswithgreatsolemnityontheremarkablefulfilmentofthis dreadful prophecy, and declares thatwhen the oblong portion of the TempleChurchwasconsecrated,thebodyoftheProtectorwasfoundentire,sewedupinabull’shide,butinastateofputridity,anddisgustinginappearance.*

* In crastino autem delatum est corpus ondinum, fratre ipsius prævio, cum tota sua familia comitante, juxtapatremsuumetfratremtumulandum.––Ib.p.565.adann.1241.

†Dugd.Monast.Angl.,p.833.

It will be observed that the dates of the burial of the above nobleman, asmentioned by Matthew Paris and other authorities, are as follow:—WilliamMarshall the elder, A.D. 1219; Lord de Ros, A.D. 1227; William Marshall theyounger,A.D.1231;allbeforetheconsecrationoftheoblongportionofthechurch.Gilbert Marshall, on the other hand, was buried A.D. 1241, the year after thatceremony had taken place. Those, therefore, who suppose that the monumentaleffigies of the Marshall originally stood in the eastern part of the building, aremistaken.

Amongst the many distinguished persons interred in the Temple Church isWilliamPlantagenet, the fifth sonofHenry theThird,whodiedA.D.1256,underage.†Thegreatestdesirewasmanifestedbyallclassesofpersons tobeburied inthecemeteryoftheTemplars.

KingHenrytheThirdprovidedforhisownintermentintheTemplebyaformalinstrumentcouchedinthefollowingpiousandreverentialterms:

“To all faithful Christians to whom these presents shall come, Henry by thegraceofGodkingofEngland, lordofIreland,dukeofNormandyandAquitaine,andcountofAnjou, salvation.Be itknown toallofyou, thatwe,beingof soundmindandfreejudgment,anddesiringwithpiousforethoughttoextendourregardsbeyondthepassingeventsofthislife,andtodeterminetheplaceofoursepulture,have,onaccountofthelovewebeartotheOrderandtothebrethrenofthechivalryoftheTemple,givenandgranted,afterthislife’sjourneyhasdrawntoaclose,andwehavegone thewayofall flesh,ourbody toGodand theblessedVirginMary,and to the house of the chivalry of the Temple at London, to be there buried,expectingandhopingthatthroughourLordandSaviouritwillgreatlycontributeto

the salvationofour soul…Wedesire thatourbody,whenwehavedeparted thislife,maybe carried to the aforesaid house of the chivalry of theTemple, and bethere decently buried as above mentioned…As witness the venerable father R.,bishopofHereford,&c.GivenbythehandofthevenerablefatherEdmund,bishopofChichester,ourchancellor,atGloucester,the27thofJuly,inthenineteenthyearofourreign.”*

Queen Eleanor also provided in a similar manner for her interment in theTempleChurch,theformalinstrumentbeingexpressedtobemadewiththeconsentandapprobationofherlord,HenrytheillustriouskingofEngland,whohadlentawilling ear to her prayers upon the subject. § These sepulchral arrangements,however,wereafterwardsaltered,and thekingbyhiswilldirectedhisbodytobeburied as follows: “I will that my body be buried in the church of the blessedEdwardatWestminster,therebeingnoimpediment,havingformerlyappointedmybodytobeburiedintheNewTemple.”**

* Paucis ante evolutis annis, postmortem omnium suorum filiorum, videlicet, quando dedicata est ecclesiaNoviTempli, inventumestcorpussæpedicticomitisquoderat insutumcoriotaurino, integrum,putridumtamenetproutvideripotuitdetestabile.”—Matt.Par.p.688.Surelythismustbeaninterpolationbysomewag.ThelastofthePembrokesdiedA.D.1245,whilst,accordingtoMatthewParis’sownshowing,theeasternpartofthechurchwasconsecratedA.D.1240,p.526.

†Mill’sCatalogues,p.145.Speed,p.551.Sandford’sGenealogies,p.92,93,2ndedition.

‡ExRegistr.Hosp.S.Joh.Jerus.inAngliâ,inBib.Cotton,fol.25a.§Ib**Nicolas,TestamentaVetusta,p.6.

CHAPTERXIII.

THETEMPLE.Antiquities in the Temple—The history of the place subsequent to the dissolution of the Order of the Knights

Templars—The establishment of a society of lawyers in the Temple—The antiquity of this society—Itsconnexion with the ancient society of the Knights Templars— An order of knights and serving brethrenestablishedinthelaw—Thedegreeoffrereserjen,orfraterserviens,borrowedfromtheancientTemplars—ThemodernTemplarsdividethemselvesintothetwosocietiesoftheInnerandMiddleTemple.

“Thosebrickytowers,ThewhichonThemrae’sbrodeagedbackdoride,Wherenowthestudiouslawyershavetheirbowers;TherewhilomwonttheTemplerKnightstobide,Tilltheydecayedthro’pride.”

THEREarebutfewremainsoftheancientKnightsTemplarsnowexistingintheTemplebeyondthechurch.ThepresentInnerTempleHallwastheirancienthall,butithasatdifferentperiodsbeensoalteredandrepairedastohavelosteverytraceandvestigeofantiquity.Intheyear1816itwasalmostentirelyrebuilt,andthefollowingextractfrom“TheReportandObservationsoftheTreasureronthelateRepairsofthe InnerTempleHall”mayprove interesting, as showing the state of the edificeprevioustothatperiod.

“From the proportions, the state of decay, the materials of the eastern andsouthernwalls,thebuttressesofthesouthernfront,thepointedformoftheroofandarches, and the rude sculpture on the two doors of public entrance, the hall isevidentlyofverygreatantiquity…Thenorthernwallappearstohavebeenrebuilt,except at its twoextremities, inmodern times,buton theold foundations.…Theroofwas found to be in a very decayed and precarious state;many timbersweretotallyrotten.Itappearedtohaveundergonereparationatthreeseparateperiodsoftime, at each of which timber had been unnecessarily added, so as finally toaccumulate a weight which had protruded the northern and southern walls. Itbecame,therefore,indispensabletoremoveallthetimberoftheroof,andtoreplaceit in a lighter form. On removing the old wainscoting of the western wall, aperpendicular crack of considerable height and width was discovered, whichthreatened at any moment the fall of that extremity of the building with itssuperincumbentroof…Theturretoftheclockandthesouthernfrontofthehallareonly casedwith stone; thiswas done in the year 1741, and very ill executed.Thestructureoftheturret,composedofchalk,ragstone,andrubble,(thesamematerialasthewallsofthechurch),seemstobeveryancient…Thewoodencupolaofthebellwassodecayedastoletintherain,andwasobligedtoberenewedinaformtoagreewiththeotherpartsofthesouthernfront.

“NotwithstandingtheGothiccharacterofthebuilding,intheyear1680,duringthetreasurershipofSirThomasRobinson,prothonotaryofC.B.,aGrecianscreen

of the Doric order was erected, surmounted by lions’ heads, cones, and otherincongruousdevices.

“Intheyear1741,duringthetreasurershipofJohnBlencowe,esq.,lowwindowsofRomanarchitecturewereformedinthesouthernfront.

“The dates of such innovations appear from inscriptions with the respectivetreasurers’names.”

Thisancienthallformedthefar-famedrefectoryof theKnightsTemplars,andwas thesceneof theirprotidandsumptuoushospitality.Within itsvenerablewallstheyatdifferentperiodsentertainedKingJohn,KingHenrytheThird,thehaughtylegatesofRomanpontiffs,andtheambassadorsofforeignpowers.Theoldcustom,alludedtobyMatthewParis,*ofhangingaroundthewalltheshieldsandarmorialdevicesof theancientknights, is stillpreserved,andeachsucceeding treasureroftheTemplestillcontinuestohoisthiscoatofarmsonthewall,as in thehighandpalmydaysofthewarlikemonksofold.

AtthewestendofthehallareconsiderableremainsoftheancientconventoftheKnightsTemplars.AgroinedGothic archof the same style of architecture as theoldestpartoftheTempleChurchformstheceilingofthepresentbuttery,andintheapartmentbeyondisagroinedvaultedceilingofgreatbeauty.Theribsofthearchesinbothroomsareelegantlymoulded,butaresadlydisfiguredwithathickcoatingofplasterandbarbarouswhitewash.Inthecellarsunderneaththeseroomsaresomeold walls of immense thickness, the remains of an ancient window, a curiousfireplace,andsomeelegantpointedGothicarchescorrespondingwiththeceilingsabove; but they are now, alas! shrouded in darkness, choked with modern brickpartitionsandstaircases,andsoiledwiththedampanddustofmanycenturies.Theseinterestingremainsformanupperandanunderstory,theflooroftheupperstorybeingonalevelwiththefloorofthehall,andtheflooroftheunderstoryonalevelwith the terraceon thesouthside thereof.Theywere formerlyconnectedwith thechurchbymeansofacoveredwayorcloister,whichranatrightangleswiththemoverthesiteofthepresentcloister-chambers,andcommunicatedwiththeupperandunderstoryofthechapelofSt.Anne,whichformerlystoodonthesouthsideofthechurch.BymeansofthiscorridorandchapelthebrethrenoftheTemplehadprivateaccesstothechurchfortheperformanceoftheirstrictreligiousduties,andoftheirsecret ceremoniesof admittingnovices to thevowsof theOrder. In9 Jac. I.A.D.1612,somebrickbuildingsthreestorieshighwereerectedoverthisancientcloisterbyFrancisTate,esq.,andbeingburntdownafewyearsafterwards,theinterestingcoveredwaywhichconnectedthechurchwiththeancientconventwasinvolvedinthegeneraldestruction,asappearsfromthefollowinginscriptionuponthepresentbuildings:

*P.899,900.

“VETUSTISSIMA TEMPLARIORUM PORTICU IGNE CONSUMTA, ANNO 1678, NOVAHæC, SUMPTIBUS MEDII TEMPLI EXTRUCTA ANNO 1681 GULIELMO WHI-TELOCKEARMIGERO,THESAURARIO.

“Theveryancientporticoof theTemplarsbeingconsumedbyfire in theyear1678,thesenewbuildingswereerectedattheexpenseoftheMiddleTempleintheyear1681,WilliamWhitlock,esq.,beingtreasurer.”

The cloisters of theTemplars formed themediumof communication betweenthehall,thechurch,andthecellsoftheservingbrethrenoftheOrder.*

DuringtheformationofthepresentnewentranceintotheTemplebythechurch,atthebottomoftheInnerTemple-lane,aconsiderableportionofthebrickworkofthe old houses was pulled down, and an ancient wall of great thickness wasdisclosed.Itwascomposedofchalk,rag-stone,andrubble,exactlyresemblingthewallsofthechurch.Itraninadirectioneastandwest,andappearedtohaveformedtheextremenorthernboundaryoftheoldconvent.

The site of the remaining buildings of the ancient Temple cannot now bedeterminedwithcertainty.

The mansion-house, (Mansum Novi Templi), the residence of the Master andknights,whowerelodgedseparatelyfromtheservingbrethrenandateataseparatetable, appears to have stood at the east end of the hall, on the site of the presentlibraryandapartmentsofthemastersofthebench.

TheproudandpowerfulKnightsTemplarsweresucceededintheoccupationoftheTemplebyabodyoflearnedlawyers,whotookpossessionoftheoldhallandthegloomycellsofthemilitarymonks,andconvertedthechiefhouseoftheirorderintothegreatandmostancientCommonLawUniversityofEngland.

*Aute,p.255.

Formore than five centuries the retreats of the religiouswarriors have beendevotedto“thestudiousandeloquentpleadersofcauses,”anewkindofTemplars,who,asFullerquaintlyobserves,now“defendoneChristianfromanotherastheoldonesdidChristiansfromPagans.”ThemodernTemplarshavebeentermedmilitesjustitioe,or“soldiersof justice,” for,asJohnofSalisbury,awriterof the twelfthcentury,saith,“nequereipublicsemilitantsoli illi,quigaleisthoracisquemuniti inhostes exercent tela quselibet, sed et patroni causarum, qui lapsa erigunt, fatigatareparant, necminus provident humano generi, quam si laborantium vitam, spem,posterosque, armorumpresidio, abhostibus tuerentur.” (“Theydonot alone fightforthestatewho,panopliedinhelmetsandbreastplates,wieldtheswordandthedartagainsttheenemy,forthepleadersofcauses,whoredresswrongs,whoraiseuptheoppressed,doprotect andprovide for thehuman race asmuchas if theywere todefendthelives,fortunes,andfamiliesofindustriouscitizenswiththesword.”)

“Besidesencountersatthebar

Arebravernowthanthoseinwar,InwhichthelawdoesexecutionWithleasdisorderandconfusion;Hasmoreofhonourin’t,somehold,Notlikethenewway,buttheold,WhenthosethepenhaddrawntogetherDecidedquarrelswiththefeather,Andwingedarrowskilledasdead,Andmorethanbulletsnowoflead:Soalltheircombatsnow,asthen,Aremanagedchieflybythepen;Thatdoesthefeat,withbravervigours,Inwordsatlength,aswellasfigures.”

ThesettlementofthelawyersintheTemplewasbroughtaboutinthefollowingmanner.

OntheimprisonmentoftheKnightsTemplars, thechiefhouseoftheOrderinLondon,incommonwiththeotherpropertyofthemilitarymonks,wasseizedintotheking’shands,andwascommittedtothecareofJamesleBotillerandWilliamdeBasing,who,onthe9thofDecember,A.D.1311,werecommandedtohanditovertothesheriffsofLondon,tobetakenchargeofbythem.*TwoyearsafterwardstheTemple was granted to that powerful nobleman, Aymer de Valence, earl ofPembroke,whohadbeenoneoftheleadersofthebaronialconspiracyagainstPiersGavaston.†AsThomasearlofLancaster,however,claimedtheTemplebyescheatastheimmediatelordofthefee,theearlofPembroke,onthe3rdofOct.,A.D.1315,attherequestoftheking,andinconsiderationofotherlandsbeinggrantedtohimbyhissovereign,remisedandreleasedallhisrightandtitlethereintoLancaster.‡ThisearlofLancasterwascousin-germantotheEnglishmonarch,andfirstprinceoftheblood;hewasthemostpowerfulandopulentsubjectofthekingdom,beingpossessedofnolessthansixearldoms,withaproportionableestateinland,andatthetimethattheTemplewasaddedtohisnumerousotherpossessionshewasatthehead of the government, and ruled both the king and country as president of thecouncil. In an ancient MS. account of the Temple, formerly belonging to lordSomersandafterwardstoNicholls,thecelebratedantiquary,apparentlywrittenbyamemberof the InnerTemple, it is stated that the lawyers“madecompositionwiththe earl of Lancaster for a lodging in the Temple, and so came hither, and havecontinued here ever since.” That this was the case appears highly probable fromvariouscircumstancespresentlynoticed.

TheearlofLancasterheldtheTemplerathermorethansixyearsandahalf.When the king’s attachment for Hugh le Despenser, another favourite, was

declared, he raised the standard of rebellion.Hemarchedwith his forces againstLondon,gavelawtothekingandparliament,andprocuredasentenceofattainderandperpetualexileagainstHughleDespenser.Thefortuneofwar,however,soonturnedagainsthim.Hewasdefeated,andconductedaprisonertohisowncastleofPontefract,whereKingEdwardsatinjudgmentuponhim,andsentencedhimtobe

hung,drawn,andquartered,asarebelandatraitor.Thesamedayhewasclothedinmeanattire,wasplacedonaleanjadewithoutabridle,ahoodwasputonhishead,and in thismiserable condition hewas led through the town of Pontefract to theplaceofexecution,infrontofhisowncastle.§

A few days afterwards, the king,whilst he yet tarried at Ponfract, granted theTempletoAymerdeValence,earlofPembroke,byaroyalchartercouchedinthefollowingterms:

“Edward by the grace ofGod, king,&c., to the archbishops, bishops, abbots,priors,earls,barons,justiciaries,&c&c.health.Knowthatonaccountofthegoodand laudable service which our beloved kinsman and faithful servant Aymer deValencehathrenderedandwillcontinuetorendertous,wehavegivenandgranted,and by our royal charter have confirmed to the said earl, themansion-house andmessuagecalled theNewTemple in thesuburbofLondon,with thehouses, rents,andallotherthingstothesamemansion-houseandmessuagebelonging,formerlythe property of the Templars, and afterwards of Thomas earl of Lancaster, ourenemyandrebel,andwhich,bytheforfeitureofthesameThomas,havecomeintoourhandsbywayofescheat,tobehadandholdenbythesameAymerandtheheirsofhisbodylawfullybegotten,ofusandourheirs,andtheotherchieflordsofthefee,bythesameservicesasthoseformerlyrendered;butifthesaidAymershalldiewithoutheirsofhisbodylawfullybegotten,thenthesaidmansion-house,messuage,&c.&c.,shallreverttousandourheirs.”*

*JoanSarisburiensis.Polycrat.lib.vicap.1.† ActaRymeri,tom.iii.p.296,297.‡Pat.8.E.2.m.17.TheTempleisdescribedthereinas“defeodoThornæComitisLancastriæ,etdehonore

Leicestrie.”§ Processus contra comitem Lancastriæ. Acta Rymeri, tom. iii. p. 936. Lei. coll. vol. i. p. 668. La More,

Wokingham.

Rather more than a year after the date of this grant, Aymer de Valence wasmurdered.HehadaccompaniedQueenIsabellatothecourtofherfather,thekingofFrance,andwasthereslain(June23rd,A.D.1323)byoneoftheEnglishfugitivesofthe Lancastrian faction, in revenge for the death of the earl of Lancaster, whosedestructionhewasbelievedtohavecompassed.HisdeadbodywasbroughtovertoEngland,andburiedinWestminsterAbbeyattheheadofEdmundCrouchback,earlofLancaster.Heleftnoissue,andtheTemple,consequently,oncemorerevertedtothecrown.†

ItwasnowgrantedtoHughleDespensertheyounger,theking’sfavourite,atthevery time that theactofparliament (17Edward II.)waspassed,conferringall thelands of the Templars upon the Hospitallers of St. John.‡ Hugh le Despenser, incommon with the other barons, paid no attention to the parliament, and held theTemple till the day of his death, which happened soon after, for on the 24th ofSeptember, A.D. 1326, Queen Isabella landed in Englandwith the remains of the

Lancastrian faction;andafterdrivingherownhusband,Edward theSecond, fromthe throne, she seized the favourite, and causedhim instantly to be condemned todeath.OnSt.Andrew’sEvehewasledouttoexecution;theyputonhimhissurcoatofarms reversed,acrownofnettleswasplacedonhishead,andonhisvestmentthey wrote six verses of the psalm, beginning,Quid gloriaris in rnalitiâ.* Afterwhichhewashangedonagallowseightyfeethigh,andwasthenbeheaded,drawn,andquartered.HisheadwassenttoLondon,andstuckuponthebridge;andofthefour quarters of his body, one was sent to York, another to Bristol, another toCarlisle,andthefourthtoDover.†

ThusperishedthelastprivatepossessoroftheTempleatLondon.The young prince, Edward the Third, now ascended the throne, leaving his

parent, the dethronedEdward the Second, to the tendermercies of the gaolers ofBerkeleyCastle.HeseizedtheTemple,asforfeitedtohimbytheattainderofHughleDespenser,andcommittedittothekeepingofthemayorofLondon,hisescheatorinthecity.Themayor,asguardianoftheTemple,tookitintohisheadtoclosethegate leading to the waterside, which stood at the bottom of the present MiddleTemple Lane, whereby the lawyers were much incommoded in their progressbackwardsandforwardsfromtheTempletoWestminster.Complaintsweremadetothekingonthesubject,who,onthe2nddayofNovember, inthethirdyearofhisreign,wroteasfollowstothemayor:

*Cart.15.E.II.m.21.ActaRymeri,tom.iii.p.940.†Dugd,Baron.,vol.i.p.777,778‡Rot.Escaet.1.E.III.

“ThekingtothemayorofLondon,hisescheator‡inthesamecity.“Sincewehavebeengiven tounderstand that thereought tobea freepassage

through the court of the New Temple at London to the river Thames, for ourjustices, clerks, and others, who may wish to pass by water to Westminster totransacttheirbusiness,andthatyoukeepthegateoftheTempleshutbyday,andsopreventthosesamejustices,clerksofours,andotherpersons,frompassingthroughthemidstofthesaidcourttothewaterside,wherebyaswellourownaffairsasthoseofourpeopleingeneralareoftentimesgreatlyhindered,wecommandyou,thatyoukeepthegatesofthesaidTempleopenbyday,sothatourjusticesandclerks,andotherpersonswhowishtogobywatertoWestminster,maybeablesotodobythewaytowhichtheyhavehithertobeenaccustomed.

“WitnessourselfatKenilworth,the2nddayofNovember,andthirdyearofourreign.”§Thefollowingyearthekingagainwrotetothemayor,hisescheatorinthecityofLondon,informinghimthathehadbeengiventounderstandthatthebridgeinthesaidcourtoftheTemple,leadingtotheriver,wassobrokenanddecayed,thathis clerks and law officers, and others, could no longer get across it, and wereconsequentlyprevented frompassingbywater toWestminster. “We therefore,”he

proceeds, “being desirous of providing such a remedy aswe ought for this evil,commandyoutodowhateverrepairsarenecessarytothesaidbridge,andtodefraythecost thereofoutof theproceedsof the landsandrentsappertaining to thesaidTemplenowinyourcustody;andwhenweshallhavebeeninformedofthethingsdone in thematter, the expense shall be allowedyou inyour accountof the sameproceeds.

“WitnessourselfatWestminster,the15thdayofJanuary,andfourthyearofourreign.”*

Twoyearsafterwards(6E.III,A.D.1333)thekingcommittedthecustodyoftheTempleto“hisbelovedclerk,”WilliamdeLangford,“andfarmedouttherentsandproceedsthereoftohimforthetermoftenyears,atarentof24/.perannum,thesaidWilliamundertakingtokeepallthehousesandtenementsingoodorderandrepair,andsodeliverthemupattheendoftheterm.”‘!’

*H.knyghton,apudX.script.col.2456.7Lel.Itin.vol.vi.P86.Walsingham,106.†Claus.4.E.III.m.9.ActaRymeri,tom.iv.p.461.‡Therewas in thosedays anescheator in each county, and invarious large towns: itwas thedutyof this

officer toseize into theking’shandsall landsheld incapiteof thecrown,onreceivingawritDediemclausitextremum, commandinghim toassemblea jury to take inquisitionof thevalueof the lands,as towhowas thenextheirofthedeceased,therentsandservicesbywhichtheywereholden,&c.&c.

§Claus3.E.III.m.6.d.ActaRymeri,tom.iv.p.406.

Inthemeantime,however,thepope,thebishops,andtheHospitallershadbeenvigorouslyexertingthemselvestoobtainatransferoftheproperty,latebelongingto the Templars, to the Order of the Hospital of Saint John. The Hospitallerspetitioned the king, setting forth that the church, the cloisters, and other placeswithintheTemple,wereconsecratedanddedicatedtotheserviceofGod,thattheyhad been unjustly occupied and detained from them by Hugh le Despenser theyounger,and,throughhisattainder,hadlatelycomeintotheking’shands,andtheybesought the king to deliver up to them possession thereof. King Edwardaccordingly commanded themayor of London, his escheator in that city, to takeinquisitionconcerningthepremises.

From this inquisition, and the return thereof, it appears that many of thefoundersoftheTempleChurch,andmanyofthebrethrenoftheOrderofKnightsTemplars,thenlayburiedinthechurchandcemeteryoftheTemple;thatthebishopofEly hadhis lodging in theTemple, knownby the nameof the bishopofEly’schamber;thattherewasachapeldedicatedtoSt.Thomas-à-Becket,whichextendedfromthedoorof theTempleHallas faras theancientgateof theTemple;alsoacloister which began at the bishop of Ely’s chamber, and ran in an easterlydirection;andthattherewasawallwhichraninanortherlydirectionasfarasthesaid king’s highway; that in the front part of the cemetery towards the north,borderingon the king’s highway,were thirteenhouses formerly erected,with theassentandpermissionoftheMasterandbrethrenoftheTemple,byRogerBlom,a

messengeroftheTemple,forthepurposeofholdingthelightsandornamentsofthechurch;thatthelandwhereonthesehouseswerebuilt,thecemetery,thechurch,andallthespaceinclosedbetweenSt.Thomas’schapel,thechurch,thecloisters,andthewallrunninginanortherlydirection,andallthebuildingserectedthereon,togetherwiththehall,cloisters,andSt.Thomas’schapel,weresanctifiedplacesdedicatedtoGod;thatHughleDespenseroccupiedanddetainedthemunjustly,andthatthroughhisattainderandforfeiture,andnototherwise,theycameintotheking’shands.*

Afterthereturnofthisinquisition,thesaidsanctifiedplaceswereassignedtotheprior and brethren of the Hospital of Saint John; and the king, on the 11th ofJanuary,inthetenthyearofhisreign,A.D.1337,directedhiswrittothebaronsofthe Exchequer, commanding them to take inquisition of the value of the saidsanctifiedplaces,sogivenuptotheHospitallers,andoftheresidueoftheTemple,and certify the same under their seals to the king, in order that a reasonableabatementmightbemadeinWilliamdeLangford’srent.FromtheinquirymadeinpursuanceofthiswritbeforeJohndeShorditch,abaronoftheExchequer,itfurtherappearsthatonthesaidresidueoftheTempleuponthelandthenremaininginthecustodyofWilliamdeLangford,andwithinsidethegreatgateoftheTemple,wereanotherhall†andfourchambersconnectedtherewith,akitchen,agarden,astable,andachamberbeyondthegreatgate;alsoeightshops,sevenofwhichstoodinFleetStreet,andtheeighthinthesuburbofLondon,withoutthebaroftheNewTemple;thattheannualvalueoftheseshopsvariedfromtentothirteen,fifteen,andsixteenshillings;thatthefruitoutofthegardenoftheTemplesoldforsixtyshillingsperannum in the gross; that seven out of the thirteen houses erected byRogerBlomwere each of the annual value of eleven shillings; and that the eighth, situatedbeyond the gate of entrance to the church, was worth four marks per annum. Itappears,moreover,thatthetotalannualrevenueoftheTemplethenamountedto73l.6s.IId.,equaltoabout1,000l.ofourpresentmoney,andthatWilliamdeLangfordwasabated12l.4s.2d.ofhissaidrent.‡

*Claus.4.E.III.m.7.ActaRymeri,tom.iv.p.464.†Pat.6.E.III.p.2.m.22.inoriginal,apudRollsGardenexparteRemembr.Thesaur.

Threeyearsafterthetakingofthisinquisition,andinthethirteenthyearofhisreign, A.D. 1340, King Edward the Third in consideration of the sum of onehundredpounds,which thepriorof theHospitalpromised topayhimtowards theexpenseofhisexpeditionintoFrance,grantedtothesaidprioralltheresidueoftheTemple then remaining in the kings hands, to hold, together with the cemetery,cloisters,andtheothersanctifiedplaces,tothesaidpriorandhisbrethren,andtheirsuccessors,of thekingandhisheirs, forcharitablepurposes, forever.*FromtheabovegrantitappearsthattheporteroftheTemplereceivedsixtyshillingsandtenpence per annum, and twopence a daywages, whichwere to be paid him by the

Hospitallers.At this periodPhilipThanewasprior of theHospital; andhe appears tohave

exertedhimselftoimparttothecelebrationofdivineserviceintheTempleChurch,thedignityandthesplendouritpossessedinthetimeoftheTemplars.He,withtheunanimousconsentandapprobationofthewholechapteroftheHospital,grantedtoBrotherHughdeLichefeld,priest,and tohissuccessors,guardiansof theTempleChurch,towardstheimprovementofthelightsandthecelebrationofdivineservicetherein, all the land called Ficketzfeld, and the garden calledCot-terellGarden; fand two years afterwards he made a further grant, to the said Hugh and hissuccessors, of a thousand fagots a year to be cut of the wood of Lilleston, andcarriedtotheNewTempletokeepupthefireinthesaidchurch.

*Rot.Escaet.10.E.3.66.Claus11E.3.p.1.m.10.†Suntetiamibidemclaustrum,capellaSanctiThomse,etquædamplateaterraeidemcapellæannexata,cum

unaaulaetcamerasupraedificata,quasunt locasancta,etDeodedicata,etdictæecclesæannexata,eteidemPrioriperidembreveliberata.…Itemdicunt,quodpræterista,suntibidemincustodiaWilielmideLangfordinfraMagnamPortamdictiNoviTempli, extrametas et disjunctiones prcedictas, una aula et quatuor camera, unacoquina,unumgardinum,unumBtabulum,etunacameraultraMagnamPortampraedictam,&c.

‡InmemorandisScacc.interrecordadeTerminoSanctiHilarii,11.E.3.inofficioRemembratorisThessaurarii.

King Edward the Third, in the thirty-fifth year of his reign, A.D. 1362,notwithstanding thegrantof theTemple to theHospitallers,exercised the rightofappointingtotheporter ’sofficeandbyhisletterspatenthepromotedRogerSmalltothatpostforthetermofhislife,inreturnforthegoodservicerenderedhimbythesaidRogerSmall.§

It is at this period that the first distinctmentionof a societyof lawyers in theTempleoccurs.

ThepoetChaucer,whowasbornatthecloseofthereignofEdwardtheSecond,A.D.1327,andwas inhighfavouratcourt in thereignofEdward theThird, thusspeaks of the MANCIPLE, or the purveyor of provisions of the lawyers in theTemple:

“AgentilManciplewasthereoftheTEMPLE,Ofwhomachatoursmightentakeensemple,Fortobenwiseinbyingofvitaille.Forwhetherthathepaidortokebytaille,Algatehewaitedsoinhisachate,Thathewasayebeforeingoodestate.NowisnotthatofGodaMlfayregrace,Thatswichealewedmanneswitshalpace,Thewisdomeofanhepeoflernedmen?”“Ofmaistershadhemothanthriesten,THATWEREOFLAWSEXPERTANDCURIOUS:OfwhichtherewasadoseininthathousWorthytobenstewardesofrentandlondOfanylordthatisinEnglelond,Tomakenhimlivebyhispropregood,

Inhonourdetteles,butifhewerewood,Orliveasscarsly,ashimlistdesire;Andablefortohelpenallashire.Inanycasthatmightefallenorhappe;Andyetthismanciplesettehirallercappe.”®

*Pat.12.E.3.p.2.m.22.Dugd.Monasticon,vol.vii.p.810,811.†Exregistr.SanctiJohannisJerus.Fol.141.a.Dugd.Monast.,tom.vi.Part2,p.832.‡Ibid.adann.1341.§Rexomnibusadquos&c.salutem.Sciatisquoddegratiânostrâspeciali,etprobonoservitioquodRogerus

Smallnobis impenditet impendat in futuro,concessimuseiofficiumJanitorisNoviTempliLondonHabend.&c.provitâsuâ&c.pertinend.&c.omniavadaetfeoda&c.eodemmodoqualiaRobertusPetytdefunct.QuiofficiumilludexconcessionedominiEdwardinuper regisAngliæpatrisnostrihabuit…TestemeipsoapudWestm.5dieAprilis,annoregninostri35.Pat.35.E.3.p.2.m.33.

Itappears,therefore,thatthelawyersintheTemple,inthereignofEdwardtheThird,hadtheirpurveyorofprovisionsasat thisday,andwereconsequentlythenkeepingcommons,ordiningtogetherinhall.

In the fourthyear of the reignofRichard theSecond,A.D.1381, a stillmoredistinctnoticeoccursoftheTemple,astheresidenceofthelearnersandthelearnedinthelaw.

We are told in an ancient chronicle, written in Norman French, formerlybelongingtotheabbeyofSt.Mary’satYork,thattherebelsunderWatTylerwenttothe Temple and pulled down the houses, and entered the church and took all thebooksandtherollsofremembranceswhichwereinthechestsofthelearnersofthelawintheTemple,andplacedthemunderthelargechimneyandburntthem.(“LesrebelsallerontaleTempleetjetterontlesmeasonsalaterreetavegheronttighles,issint que ils fairont coverture enmal array; et alleront en l’esglise, et pristeronttouts les liveres et rolles de remembrances, que furont en leur huches deins leTempledeApprenticesdelaLey;etporterontenlehautchimeneetlesarderont.”†)AndWalsingham,whowroteinthereignofHenrytheSixth,aboutfiftyyearsaftertheoccurrenceoftheseevents,tellsusthataftertherebels,underWatTylerandJackStraw,hadburnt theSavoy, thenoblepalaceofJohnofGaunt,dukeofLancaster,theypulleddowntheplacecalledTempleBarr,wheretheapprenticesorlearnersofthehighestbranchof theprofessionof the lawdwelt,onaccountof thespite theyboretoRobertHales,MasteroftheHospitalofSaintJohnofJerusalem,andburntmanydeedswhichthelawyerstherehadintheircustody.(“Quibusperpetratis,satismalitiose etiam locum qui vocatur Temple Barre, in quo apprenticii jurismorabanturnobiliores, diruerunt, ob ram quam conceperant contra Robertum deHalesMagistrumHospitalisSancti JohannisJerusalem,ubipluramunimenta,quæJuridiciincustodiâhabuerunt,igneconsumptasunt.”)*

Inasubsequentpassage,however,hegivesusabettercluetotheattackupontheTemple, and the burning of the deeds andwritings, for he tells us that itwas theintention of the rebels to decapitate all the lawyers, for they thought that by

destroyingthemtheycouldputanendtothelaw,andsobeenabledtoordermattersaccording to their own will and pleasure. (“Ad decollandum omnes juridicos,escaetores, et universos quivel in lege docti fuere, vel cum jure ratione officiicommunicavere. Mente nempe conceperant, doctis in lege necatis, universa juxtacommunisplebisscitumdecæteroordinare,etnullamomninolegemforefuturam,velsifuturaforet,esseprosuorumarbitriostatuenda.”)

* Prologue to the Canterbury Tales. The wages of the Manciples of the Temple, temp. Hen. VIII. werexxxvis.Viiid.perannum.Bib.Cotton.Vitellius,c.9,f.320,a.

† Annal.Olim-SanctæManseEbor.

It is evident that the lawyers were the immediate successors of the KnightsTemplarsintheoccupationoftheTemple,asthelesseesoftheearlofLancaster.

WhilsttheTemplarswerepiningincaptivityinthedungeonsofLondonandofYork,KingEdwardtheSecondpaidtotheirservantsandretainersthepensionstheyhad previously received from the treasury of the Temple, on condition that theycontinued to perform the services and duties they had rendered to their ancientmasters.Onthe26thofNovember,A.D.1311,hegrantedtoRobertStyfford,clerk,forhismaintenance in thehouseof theTempleatLondon, twodeniersaday,andfive shillings a year for necessaries, provided he did service in the church; andwhen unable to do so, he was to receive only his food and lodging. GeoffreyTalaverwastoreceive,inthesamehouseoftheTemple,threedeniersadayforhissustenance,andtwentyshillingsayearfornecessaries,duringtheremainderofhislife;alsoonedenieradayforthesupportofhisboy,andfiveshillingsayearforhiswages.GeoffreydeCave,clerk,andJohndeShelton,werealso,eachofthem,toreceive from the samehouse, for their good services, an annualpensionof fortyshillings for the termof their lives.†Someof these retainers, in addition to theirvariousstipends,were tohaveagownof theclassoffree-servingbrethrenof theOrderoftheTemple‡eachyear;oneoldgarmentoutofthestockofoldgarmentsbelonging to thebrethren;§onemarkayear for their shoes,&c.; their sonsalsoreceivedsomuchperdiem,onconditionthattheydidthedailyworkofthehouse.Theseretainerswereoftheclassoffreeservantsofoffice;theyheldtheirpostsforlife,andnotbeingmembersoftheOrderoftheTemple,theywerenotincludedinthegeneralproscriptionofthefraternity.Inreturnfortheprovisionmadethembythe king, theywere to continue to do their customarywork as long as theywereable.

Nowitisworthyofremark,thatmanyoftherules,customs,andusagesofthesociety of Knights Templars are to this day observed in the Temple, naturallyleadingustoconcludethatthesedomesticsandretainersoftheancientbrotherhoodbecame connected with the legal society formed therein, and transferred theirservicestothatlearnedbody.

*Walsing.4Ric.2.adann.1381.Hist.p.249,ed.1603.†Rot.claus5.E.2.m.19.ActaRymeri,tom.iii.p.292,293,294.‡Unamrobamperannumde secta liberorumrvientium,etquinque solid«perannum,etdeserviatquamdiu

potentlocoliberimentisindomoprtedictâ.Ib.m.2.ActaRymeri,tom.iii.p.331,332.§QuolibetannoadNataleDominiunumvetusindumentumdeveteribusindumentisfratrum,etquolibetdie2

denariosproyictugarcionissui,et5solidosperannumperstipendiisejusdemgarcionis,sedidemgarciodeservietindomoillâ.Ib.

FromthetimeofChaucertothepresentday,thelawyershavedinedtogetherintheancienthall,asthemilitarymonksdidbeforethem;andtheruleoftheirorderrequiring “two and two to eat together,” and “all the fragments to be given inbrotherlycharity to thedomestics,” isobserved to thisday,andhasbeen in forcefromtimeimmemorial.Theattendantsattable,moreover,arestillcalledpaniers,asinthedaysoftheKnightsTemplars.*TheleadingpunishmentsoftheTemple,too,remainthesameasintheoldentime.TheancientTemplar,forexample,foralightfault,was“withdrawnfromthecompanionshipofhisfellows,”andnotallowed“toeat with them at the same table,”† and the modern Templar, for impropriety ofconduct, is “expelled the hall” and “put out of commons.” The brethren of theancient fraternity were, for grave offences, in addition to the above punishment,deprivedoftheirlodgings,‡andwerecompelledtosleepwiththebeastsintheopencourt;andthemembersofthemodernfellowshiphaveinbygonetimes,asamodeof punishment, been temporarily deprived of their chambers in the Temple formisconduct,andpadlockshavebeenputuponthedoors.TheMasterandChapterofthe Temple, in the time of the Knights Templars, exercised the power ofimprisonment and expulsion from the fellowship, and the samepunishments havebeenfreelyuseddowntoarecentperiodbytheMastersoftheBenchofthemodernsocieties. Until of late years, too, the modern Templars have had their readers,officersofgreatdignity,whosedutyithasbeentoreadandexpoundlawinthehall,atandaftermeals,inthesamewayasthereadersoftheKnightsTemplarsreadandexpoundedreligion.

There has also been, in connexion with the modern fellowship, a class ofassociatessimilartotheassociatesoftheancientTemplars.*Thesewereillustriouspersonswhopaidlargesumsofmoney,andmadepresentsofplate,tobeadmittedtothefellowshipoftheMastersoftheBench;theywereallowedtodineattheBenchtable, to be as itwere honorarymembers of the society, butwere freed from theordinaryexercisesandregulationsofthehouse,andhadatthesametimenovoiceinthegovernmentthereof.

The conversion of the chief house of the most holy order of the Temple ofSolomon in England into a law university, was brought about in the followingmanner.

*ThomasofWothrope,atthetrialoftheTemplarsinEngland,wasunabletogiveanaccountofthereceptionofsomebrethrenintotheOrder,quiaeratpanetariusetvacabatcircasuumofficium.Con-cil.Mag.Brit., tom.ii.p.355.Tuncpanetariusmittatcomitiduospanesatquevinisextarium…Itaappellabantofficialemdomesticum,qui

mensæpanem,mappasetmanutergiasubministrabat.Du-cange,Gloss.Verb.Panetarius.† RegulaTemplariorum,cap.1xvii.antep.25.‡Concil.Mag.Brit,tom.ii.p.371to373,ante,p.235.

Bothbefore,andforaveryconsiderableperiodafter,theNormanconquest,thestudyof the lawwas confined to the ecclesiastics,whoengrossedall the learningandknowledgeof theage.† In the reignofKingStephen, the foreignclergywhohadflockedoveraftertheconquest,attemptedtointroducetheancientcivillawofRomeintothiscountry,ascalculatedtopromotethepowerandadvantageoftheirorder,butwereresolutelyresistedbythekingandthebarons,whoclungtotheiroldcustomsandusages.Thenewlaw,however,wasintroducedintoalltheecclesiasticalcourts,andtheclergybegantoabandonthemunicipaltribunals,anddiscontinuethestudy of the common law. Early in the reign of Henry the Third, episcopalconstitutions were published by the bishop of Salisbury, forbidding clerks andprieststopractiseasadvocatesinthecommonlawcourts.(Necadvocatisintclericivel sacerdotes in foro soeculari, nisi vel proprias causas vel miserabiliumpersonarumprosequantur.‡)Towardsthecloseofthesamereign,(A.D.1254),PopeInnocent IV. forbade the readingof the common lawby the clergy in theEnglishuniversitiesandseminariesoflearning,becauseitsdecreeswerenotfoundedontheimperialconstitutions,butmerelyonthecustomsofthelaity.§

Asthecommonlawconsequentlygraduallyceasedtobestudiedandtaughtbythe clergy, who were the great depositaries of legal learning, as of all otherknowledge in those days, it became necessary to educate and train up a body oflaymentotransact thejudicialbusinessofthecountry;andEdwardtheFirst,who,from his many legal reforms and improvements, has been styled “the EnglishJustinian,”madethepracticeofthecommonlawadistinctprofession.

InancienttimestheCourtofCommonPleashadtheexclusiveadministrationofthecommonlaw,andsettledanddecidedallthedisputeswhicharosebetweensubjectandsubject;andinthetwentiethyearofthereignofEdwardtheFirst,(A.D.1292),theprivilegeofpleadingcauses in thiscourtwasconfined toacertainnumberoflearned persons appointed by authority. By an order in council, the kingcommandedJohndeMeting-ham,chiefjusticeoftheCourtofCommonPleas,andthe rest of his fellow justices, that they, according to their discretions, shouldprovide and ordain from every county a certain number of attorneys andapprenticesof the law,of thebest andmost apt for their learningand skill, todoservice to his court and people, and those so chosen should followhis court andtransact the affairs therein, and no others; the king and his council deeming thenumber of fourscore to be sufficient for that employment; but it was left to thediscretionofthesaidjusticestoaddtothatnumber,ortodiminishit,astheyshouldthinkfit.*

*Dugd.Orig.Jurid.,p.212.

†Nullusclericusnisicausidicus.Will.Malm.,lib.Iv.f.69.RadulphdeDiceto,apudHist.Angl.Script.Antiq.,lib.vii.col.606,fromwhomitappearsthatthechiefjustitiaryandjusticesitinerantwereallpriests.

‡ Spelm.Concil.,tom.ii.adann.1217.§ Innocentius, &c. … Præterea cum in Angliæ, Scotiæ, Walliæ regnis, causæ laicorum non imperatoriis

legibus, sed laicorumconsuetudinibusdecidantur, fratrumnostrorum,et aliorum religiosorumconsilio et rogatu,statuimusquodinprædictisregnislegessœeularesdecæterononlegantur.Matt.Par.,p.883,adann.1254,etinadditamentis,p.191.

AtthisperiodtheCourtofCommonPleashadbeenfixedatWestminster,whichbroughttogethertheprofessorsofthecommonlawatLondon;andabouttheperiodof the dissolution of theOrder of the Temple, a society appears to have been inprogressofformation,underthesanctionofthejudges,fortheeducationofabodyof learned secular lawyers to attend upon that court. The deserted convent of theKnightsTemplars,seatedinthesuburbofLondon,awayfromthenoiseandbustleof thecity,andpresentingareadyandeasyaccessbywater toWestminster,wasadesirable retreat for the learned members of this infant legal society; and weaccordinglyfind,thatverysoonafterthedissolutionofthereligio-militaryorderofKnights Templars, the professors of the common law of England mustered inconsiderablestrengthintheTemple.

InthesixthyearofthereignofEdwardtheThird,(A.D.1333),whenthelawyershad just established themselves in the convent of the Temple, and had engraftedupon the old stock of Knights Templars their infant society for the study of thepracticeofthecommonlaw,thejudgesoftheCourtofCommonPleasweremadeknights,† being the earliest instance on record of the grant of the honour ofknighthood for servicespurelycivil, and theprofessorsof thecommon law,whohadtheexclusiveprivilegeofpractisinginthatcourt,assumedthetitleordegreeoffreresserjensorfratresservientes,sothatknightsandserving-brethren,similartothose of the ancient order of the Temple, were most curiously revived andintroducedintotheprofessionofthelaw.

Itistruethatthewordserviens,serjen,orserjeant,wasappliedtotheprofessorsofthelawlongbeforethereignofEdwardtheThird,butnottodenoteaprivilegedbrotherhood. It was applied to lawyers in commonwith all persons who did anydescription of work for another, from the serviens domini regis aa legem, whoprosecutedthepleasofthecrowninthecountycourt,totheserviensorserjenwhowalked with his cane before the concubine of the Patriarch in the streets ofJerusalem.*ThepriestwhoworkedfortheLordwascalledserjensdeDieu,andtheloverwhoservedtheladyofhisaffectionsserjensd’amour.*ItwasintheOrderoftheTemplethat theword freresserjensor fratresservientes signifiedanhonorarytitle or degree, and denoted a powerful privileged class of men. The fratresservientesarmigeriorfreresserjensdesarmes,ofthechivalryoftheTemple,wereof the rank of gentlemen. They united in their own persons themonastic and themilitarycharacter,theywereallottedonehorseeach,theyworetheredcrossofthe

OrderoftheTempleontheirbreasts,†theyparticipatedinalltheprivilegesofthebrotherhood, andwereeligible to thedignityofPreceptor.Large sumsofmoneywere frequently given by seculars who had not been advanced to the honour ofknight-hood,tobeadmittedamongstthishighly-esteemedorderofmen.

*Etquodipsiquosadhocelegerint,curiamsequantur,etsedenegotiisineademcuriaintromittant,etaliinon.Etvideturregietejusconcilio,quodseptiesvigentisufficerepoterint,&c—RollsofParl.20.E.1.vol.i.p.84,No.22.

†Dugd.Orig.Jurid.,cap.xxxix.p.102.

The freres serjens of the Temple wore linen coifs, and red caps close overthem.‡ At the ceremony of their admission into the fraternity, the Master of theTempleplaced thecoifupon theirheads,and threwover theirshoulders thewhitemantleoftheTemple;hethencausedthemtositdownontheground,andgavethemasolemnadmonitionconcerningthedutiesandresponsibilitiesoftheirprofession.§ They were warned that they must enter upon a new life, that they must keepthemselves fair and free from stain, like thewhite garment that had been thrownaroundthem,whichwastheemblemofpurityandinnocence;thattheymustrendercompleteandperfectobediencetotheirsuperiors;thattheymustprotecttheweak,succourtheneedy,reverenceoldmen,anddogoodtothepoor.

The knights and serjeants of the common law, on the other hand, have everconstitutedaprivilegedfraternity,andalwaysaddressoneanotherbytheendearingtermbrother.Thereligiouscharacteroftheancientceremonyofadmissionintothislegal brotherhood, which took place in church, and its striking similarity to theancient mode of reception into the fraternity of the Temple, are curious andremarkable.

“CapitalisJustitiarius,”saysanancientMS.accountofthecreationofseijeants-at-law in the reign ofHenry the Seventh, “monstrabat eis plura bona exempla deeorum prædecessoribus, et tunc posuit les coyfes* super eorum capitibus, etinduebateos singulariterdecapitalde skarletto,et siccreati fueruntservientes adlegem.”Inhisadmonitoryexhortation, thechiefjusticedisplaystothemthemoralandreligiousdutiesoftheirprofession.“Ambulateinvocationeinquâvocatiestis.…DiscecultumDei,reverentiamsuperioris (!),misericordiampauperi.“He tellsthemthecoifissicutvestisCandidaetimmaculata,theemblemofpurityandvirtue,andhecommencesaportionofhisdiscourseinthescripturallanguageusedbythepopesinthefamousbullconcedingtotheTemplarstheirvastspiritualandtemporalprivileges, “Omne datum optimum et omne donum perfectum desursum estdescendensapatreluminum&c.&c.!†

*Ante,p.118.Mace-bearers,bell-ringers,thief-takers,gaolers,bailiffs,publicexecutioners,andallpersonswho performed a specific task for another, were called servientes, serjens, or serjeants.––Ducange Gloss.Pasquier’sResearches,liv.Viii.cap.19.

†Will.Tyr.,lib.i.p.50,lib.xii.P.814.‡Dugd.Hist.Warwickshire,p.704.

§ Et tuncMagister Templi dedit sibi mantellum, et imposuit pileum capiti suo, et tunc fecit eum sedere adterrain,injungenssibi,&c.—ActacontraTemplarios.Concil.Mag.Brit.,tom.ii.p.380.Seealsop.335.

The freres serjens of the Templewere strictly enjoined to “eat their bread insilence,”and“placeawatchupontheirmouths,”andthefreresserjensofthelaw,wearetold,aftertheiradmission,did“dynetogetherwithsobercountenanceandlytelcommunycacion.”

Thecommon-lawlawyers,aftertheirlocationintheTemple,continuedrapidlytoincrease,andbetweenthereignsofRichardtheSecondandHenrytheSixth,theydividedthemselvesintotwobodies.“IntheraigneofKingHenrytheSixth,”saystheMS. accountof theTemple,written9Charles theFirst, “theywere soemultipliedandgrown into soegreatabulkeascouldnotconvenientlybe regulated intoonesociety, nor indeed was the old hall capable of containing so great a number,whereupon they were forced to divide themselves. A new hall was then erectedwhich isnowtheJuniorTempleHall,whereuntodiversof thosewhobefore tooktheirrepastanddietintheoldhallresorted,andinprocessoftimebecameadistinctanddividedsociety.”

Fromtheinquisitiontaken10.E.III.A.D.1337,itappearsthatinthetimeoftheKnightsTemplarstherewere twohalls in theTemple,so that it isnot likely thatafresh one was built. One of these halls, the present Inner Temple Hall, had beenassigned,theyearprevioustothetakingofthatinquisition,tothepriorandbrethrenof the Hospital of Saint John, together with the church, cloisters, &c., as beforementioned,whilst theother hall remained in thehandsof the crown, andwasnotgrantedtotheHospitallersuntil13E.III.A.D.1340.ItwasprobablysoonafterthisperiodthattheHospitallersconcededtheuseofbothhalls to theprofessorsof thelaw, and these last, fromdining apart andbeing attached to different halls, at lastseparatedintotwosocieties,asatpresent.

* Ithasbeensupposed that thecoifwas first introducedby theclericalpractitionersof thecommon law tohidethetonsureofthosepriestswhopractisedintheCourtofCommonPleas,notwithstandingtheecclesiasticalprohibition.Thiswasnotthecase.Theearlyportraitsofourjudgesexhibitthemwithacoifofverymuchlargerdimensions than thecoifsnowwornby theserjeants-at-law,verymuch larger thanwouldbenecessary tohidethemereclericaltonsure.Acoveringforthatpurposeindeedwouldbeabsurd.Theancientcoifsoftheserjeants-at-lawweresmalllinenorsilkcapsfittingclosetothetopofthehead.ThispeculiarcoveringiswornuniversallyintheEast,wherethepeopleshavetheirheadsandcuttheirhairclose.ItwasimportedintoEuropebytheKnightsTemplars,andbecameadistinguishingbadgeoftheirorder.FromthefreresserjensoftheTempleitpassedtothefreresserjensofthelaw.

†Excod.MS.apudsub-thesaurariumHosp.MediiTempli,f.4.a.Dugd.Orig.Jurid.cap.43,46.

“Although there be two several societies, yet in sundry places they arepromiscuously lodged togetherwithout anymetes or bounds to distinguish them,andthegroundroomsinsomeplacesbelongtothenewhouse,andtheupperroomsto theoldone,amanifestargument thatbothmadeat firstbutonehouse,nordidtheyeitherbeforeor after thisdivisionclaimby several leases,butbyoneentire

grant.Andastheytooktheirdietapart,solikewiseweretheystationedapartinthechurch,viz.thoseoftheMiddleTempleonthelefthandsideasyougotherein,andthoseoftheoldhouseontherighthandside,andsoitremainsbetweenthematthisday.”*

Burton,theantiquary,whowroteinthereignofQueenElizabeth,speaksofthis“old house” (the Inner Temple) as “themother andmost ancient of all the otherhousesofcourts, towhich,”sayshe,“Imustacknowledgeallduerespect,beingafellowthereof,admittedintothesamesocietyonthe20thofMay,1593.”†Thetwosocieties of the Temple are of equal antiquity; the members in the first instancedinedtogetherinoneorotheroftheancienthallsoftheTemplarsasitsuitedtheirconvenience and inclination; and to this day, in memory of the old custom, thebenchersorancientsoftheonesocietydineonceeveryyearinthehalloftheothersociety. The period of the division has been generally referred to thecommencementofthereignofHenrytheSixth,asatthecloseofthatlongreignthepresent four Inns of Court were all in existence, and then contained about twothousand students. The Court of King’s Bench, the Court of Exchequer, and theCourtofChancery,hadthenencroacheduponthejurisdictionoftheCommonPleas,andhad takencognizanceofcivil causesbetweensubject and subject,whichwereformerly decided in that court alone.‡ The legal business of the country hadconsequently greatly increased, the profession of the law became highlyhonourable, and thegentryand thenobilityconsidered the studyof it anecessarypartofeducation.

Sir JohnFortescue,whowaschief justiceof theKing’sBenchduringhalf thereignofHenrytheSixth,inhisfamousdiscoursedelaudibuslegumAnglioe,tellsusthatinhistimetheannualexpensesofeachlaw-studentamountedtomorethan28l.,(equal to about 460l. of our presentmoney), that all the students of the lawweregentlemen by birth and fortune, and had great regard for their character andhonour; that in each Inn of Court there was an academy or gymnasium, wheresinging,music, anddancing, and a variety of accomplishments,were taught.Lawwas studied at stated periods, and on festival days: after the offices of the churchwereover,thestudentsemployedthemselvesinthestudyofhistory,andinreadingthe Holy Scriptures. Everything good and virtuous was there taught, vice wasdiscouragedandbanished,sothatknights,barons,andthe,greatestofthenobilityofthekingdom,placedtheirsonsintheTempleandtheotherInnsofCourt;andnotsomuch, he tells us, to make the law their study, or to enable them to live by theprofession,as to form theirmannersand topreserve themfrom thecontagionofvice. “Quarrelling, insubordination, andmurmuring, are unheard of; if a studentdishonourshimself,heisexpelledthesociety;apunishmentwhiehisdreadedmorethanimprisonmentandirons,forhewhohasbeendrivenfromonesocietyisneveradmittedintoanyoftheothers;whenceithappens,thatthereisaconstantharmony

amongstthem,thegreatestfriendship,andageneralfreedomofconversation.”

*MS.inBib.Int.Temp.No.17.fo.408.†Burton’sLeicestershire,p.235.‡AfterthecourtsofKing’sBenchandExchequerhadbyafictionoflawdrawntothemselvesavastportion

of the civil business originally transacted in the Common Pleas alone, the degree of serjeant-at-law, with itsexclusive privilege of practising in the last-named court, was not sought after as before. The advocates orbarristersoftheKinglBenchandExchequerwere,consequently,atdifferenttimes,commandedbywrittotakeuponthemthedegreeofthecoif,andtransfertheirpracticetotheCommonPleas.

The two societies of the Temple are now distinguished by the severaldenominationsoftheInnerandtheMiddleTemple,namesthatappeartohavebeenadoptedwithreferencetoapartoftheancientTemple,which,incommonwithotherproperty of theKnights Templars, never came into the hands of theHospitallers.AfterthelawyersoftheTemplehadseparatedintotwobodiesandoccupieddistinctportionsofground,thispartcametobeknownbythenameoftheoutwardTemple,asbeingthefarthestawayfromthecity,andisthusreferredtoinamanuscriptintheBritishMuseum,writteninthereignofJamestheFirst.“Athirdpart,calledoutwardTemple,wasprocuredbyoneDr.Stapleton,bishopofExeter, in thedaysofKingEdward the Second, for a residing mansion-house for him and his successors,bishopsofthatsee.ItwascalledExeterInnuntilthereignofthelateQueenMary,when the lord Paget, her principal secretary of state, obtained the said third part,calledExeter-house,tohimandhisheirs,anddidre-edifythesame.Afterwhomthesaid thirdpartof theTemplar ’shousecame toThomas latedukeofNorfolk,andwas by him conveyed to Sir Robert Dudley, knight, earl of Leicester, whobequeathedthesametoSirRobertDudley,knight,hisson,andlastly,bypurchase,cametoRobertlateearlofEssex,whodiedinthereignofthelateQueenElizabeth,andisstillcalledEssex-house.”*

WhenthelawyerscameintotheTemple,theyfoundengravedupontheancientbuildings thearmorialbearingsof theKnightsTemplars,whichwere,onashieldargent, a plain cross gules, and (brochant sur le tout) the holy lamb bearing thebanneroftheOrder,surmountedbyaredcross.Thesearmsremainedtheemblemof the Temple until the fifth year of the reign of Queen Elizabeth, whenunfortunatelythesocietyoftheInnerTemple,yieldingtotheadviceandpersuasionofMasterGerardLeigh,amemberoftheCollegeofHeralds,abandonedtheancientand honourable device of the Knights Templars, and assumed in its place agallopingwingedhorsecalledaPegasus,or,asithasbeenexplainedtous,“ahorsestrikingtheearthwithitshoof,orPegasuslunaonafieldargent!”MasterGerardLeigh,wearetold,“emblazonedthemwithpreciousstonesandplanets,andbythesestrange arms he intended to signify that the knowledge acquired at the learnedseminaryof theInnerTemplewouldraise theprofessorsof the lawto thehighesthonours,adding,bywayofmotto,volatadoetheravirtus,andheintendedtoalludetowhatareesteemedthemoreliberalsciences,bygivingthemPegasusformingthe

fountainofHippocrene,bystrikinghishoofagainsttherock,asaproperemblemoflawyersbecomingpoets,asChaucerandGower,whowerebothoftheTemple!”

ThesocietyoftheMiddleTemple,withbettertaste,stillpreserves,inthatpartoftheTempleoverwhich its sway extends, thewidely-renowned and time-honouredbadgeoftheancientorderoftheTemple.

The assumption of the prancing winged horse by the one society, and theretentionofthelambbytheother,havegivenrisetothefollowingwittylines—

“Asthro’theTemplars’courtsyougo,Thelambandhorsedisplayed,

TheemblematicfiguresshowThemeritsoftheirtrade.

ThatclientsmayinferfromhenceHowjustistheirprofession;

ThelambdenotestheirINNOCENCE,ThehorsetheirEXPEDITION.

Oh,happyBritain!happyisle!Letforeignnationssay,

Hereyougetjusticewithoutguile,Andlawwithoutdelay.”

ANSWER.

“Unhappyman!thosecourtsforego,NortrustBuchcunningelves,

TheartfulemblemsonlyshowTheirclients,notthemselves.

Theseallaretricks,Theseallareshams,Withwhichtheymeantocheatye,

Buthaveacare,foryou’retheLAMBS,Andtheythewolvesthateatye.

NorletthepleaofnodelayTothesetheircourtsmisguideye,

Foryou’retheprancinghorse;andtheyThejockeysthatwouldrideyou”

*Malcom.Lond.Rediviv.,vol.ii.p.282.

CHAPTERXIV.

THETEMPLE.TheTempleGarden—TheerectionofnewbuildingsintheTemple—ThedissolutionoftheOrderoftheHospital

of Saint John—The law societies become leasees of the crown—The erection of the magnificentMiddleTempleHall—Theconversionoftheoldhallintochambers—ThegrantoftheinheritanceoftheTempletothe two law societies— Their magnificent present to his Majesty—Their ancient orders and customs, andancienthospitality—Theirgrandentertainments—Reader’sfeasts—GrandChristmassesandRevels—Thefox-huntinthehall—ThedisputewiththeLordMayor—ThequarrelwiththecustosoftheTempleChurch.

“PLANTAGENET.Greatlordsandgentlemen,whatmeansthissilence?Darenomananswerinacaseoftruth?

SUFFOLK…WithintheTEMPLEHALLweweretooloud:TheGARDENhereismoreconvenient.”

SHAKSPEAREmakes theTempleGarden,which is to thisdaycelebrated for thebeauty and profusion of its flowers, the scene of the choice of thewhite and redroses,asthebadgesoftherivalhousesofYorkandLancaster.RichardPlantagenetand theearlofSomerset retirewith their followers fromthehall into thegarden,wherePlantagenetthusaddressesthesilentandhesitatingbystanders:

“Sinceyouaretongue-ty’d,andsoloathtospeak,Indumbsignificantsproclaimyourthoughts:Lethim,thatisatrue-borngentleman,Andstandsuponthehonourofhisbirth,IfhesupposethatIhavepleadedtruth,Fromoffthisbrierpluckawhiterosewithme.

Somerset.Lethimthatisnocoward,nornoflatterer,Butdaremaintainthepartyofthetruth,Pluckaredrosefromoffthisthornwithme.

Warwick.Ilovenocolours;and,withoutallcolourOfbaseinsinuatingflattery,IpluckthiswhiterosewithPlantagenet.

Suffolk.IpluckthisredrosewithyoungSomerset,AndsaywithalIthinkheheldtheright.

Vernon.Thenforthetruthandplainnessofthecase,Ipluckthispaleandmaidenblossomhere,Givingmyverdictonthewhiteroseside.

Somerset.…Comeon,whoelse?Lawyer.Unlessmystudyandmybooksbefalse,

Theargumentyouheldwaswronginyou;InsignwhereofIpluckawhiterosetoo.[ToSomerset.

Warwick.…Thisbrawlto-day,GrowntothisfactionintheTempleGarden,Shallsend,betweentheredroseandthewhite,Athousandsoulstodeathanddeadlynight.”

IntheCottonLibraryisamanuscriptwrittenatthecommencementofthereign

ofHenrytheEighth,entitled“AdescriptionoftheFormandManner,how,andbywhatOrders andCustoms the State of the Fellowshyppe of theMyddilTemple ismaintained,andwhatwaystheyhavetoattaineuntoLearning.”*Itcontainsagreatdealofcuriousinformationconcerningthegovernmentofthehouse,thereadings,mot-yngs,boltings,andotherexercisesformerlyperformedfortheadvancementoflearning, and of the different degrees of benchers, readers, cupboard-men, inner-barristers,utter-barristers,andstudents, togetherwith“thechardgesfor theirmeteand drynke by the yeare, and the manner of the dyet, and the stipende of theirofficers.”Thewritertellsusthatitwasthedutyofthe“Tresorertogatherofcertenofthefellowshipatributeyerelyofiiis.iiid.apiece,andtopayoutofittherentduetomylordofSaintJohn’sforthehousethattheydwellin.”

“Item;theyhavenoplacetowalkin,andtalkandconfertheirlearnings,butinthechurch;whichplaceallthetermetimeshathinitnomoreofquietnessethantheperwyse of Pawles, by occasion of the confluence and concourse of such as besuters in the lawe.” The conferences between lawyers and clients in the TempleChurcharethusalludedtobyButler:

“RetainallaortaofwitnessesThatplyintheTempleundertrees,OrwalktheRoundwithknightsoftheposts,Aboutthecross-leggedknightstheirhosts.”

“Item; they have every day threemasses said one after the other, and the firstmassedothbeginatseavenoftheclock,orthereabouts.Onfestivalldaystheyhavemattens andmasse solemnly sung; andduring thematyns singing theyhave threemassessaid.”*

*MS.Bib.Cotton.Vitellius,c,9,fol.320,a.

Atthecommencementof thereignofHenryVIII.awallwasbuiltbetween theTemple Garden and the river; the Inner Temple Hall was “seeled,” various newchamberswereerected,andthesocietiesexpendedsumsofmoney,andactedasifthey were absolute proprietors of the Temple, rather than as lessees of theHospitallersofSaintJohn.

In 32Hen.VIII. was passed the act of parliament dissolving theOrder of theHospital,andvestingallthepropertyofthebrethreninthecrown,savingtherightsandinterestsoflessees,andotherswhoheldunderthem.

Thetwolawsocietiesconsequentlynowheldofthecrown.In5Eliz.thepresentspaciousandmagnificentMiddleTempleHall,oneofthe

mostelegantandbeautifulstructuresinthekingdom,wascommenced,(theoldhallbeing converted into chambers;) and in the reigns both of Mary and Elizabeth,various buildings and sets of chambers were erected in the Inner and MiddleTemple,at theexpenseof theBenchersandmembersof the twosocieties.All this

wasdoneinfullrelianceuponthejusticeandhonourofthecrown.InthereignofJamesI.,however,someScotchmanattemptedtoobtainfromhismajestyagrantofthefee-simpleorinheritanceoftheTemple,whichbeingbroughttotheknowledgeofthetwosocieties,theyforthwithmade“humblesuit”totheking,andobtainedagrantofthepropertytothemselves.Byletterspatent,bearingdateatWestminsterthe13thofAugust, in the sixthyear of his reign,A.D.1609,King Jamesgranted theTempletotheBenchersofthetwosocieties,theirheirsandassignsforever,forthelodging, reception, and education of the professors and students of the laws ofEngland, the said Benchers yielding and paying to the said king, his heirs, andsuccessors, ten pounds yearly for the mansion called the Inner Temple, and tenpoundsyearlyfortheMiddleTemple.†

In grateful acknowledgment of this donation, the two societies caused to bemade, at their mutual cost, “a stately cup of pure gold, weighinge two hundredouncesandanhalfe,ofthevalueofonethousandmarkes,orthereabouts,thewhichinallhumblenesswaspresentedtohisexcellentmajestieattthecourtattWhitehall,inthesaidsixthyearofhismajestie’sraigneovertherealmeofEngland,foranewyeare’s gifte, by the hands of the said sir Henry Mountague, afterwards baronMountague, viscountMandevil, the earl ofManchester, RichardDaston, esq., andothereminentpersonsofboth thosehonourablesocieties, thewhich itpleasedhismajesty most gratiously to accept and receiue … Upon one side of this cup iscuriouslyengraventheproporcionofachurchortemplebeautified,withturretsandpinnacles,andontheothersideisfiguredanaltar,whereonisarepresentationofaholy fire, the flamespropper, andover the flames thesewords engraven,Nil nisivobis.Thecoverofthisrichcupofgoldisintheupperpartethereofadornedwithafabrickfashionedlikeapyramid,whereonstandeth thestatueofamilitarypersonleaning,withthelefthanduponaRoman-fashionedshieldortarget,thewhichcuphisexcellentmajestie,whilsthe lived,esteemedforoneofhisroialestandrichestjewells.”*

*MS.Bib.Cotton,c.9,fol.320,a.† Hargrove,MS.No.19,81.f.5.fol.46.

Some of the ancient orders and regulations for the government of the twosocietiesarenotunworthyofattention.

From the record of a parliament holden in the Inner Temple on the 15th ofNovember,3and4Ph.andMary,A.D.1558,itappearsthateightgentlemenofthehouse,inthepreviousreadingvocation,“werecommitted to theFleete forwilfulldemenoure and disobedience to the Bench, and were worthyly expulsed thefellowshyppe of the house, since which tyme, upon their humble suite andsubmissionuntothesaidBenchersofthesaidhouse,it isagreedthattheyshallbereadmitted into the fellowshyppe, and into commons again, without payeing any

ffine.”† Amongst the ancient customs and usages derived from the KnightsTemplars,whichwereforalengthenedperiodreligiouslypreservedandkeptupintheTemple,wastheorientalfashionoflongbeards.InthereignofPhilipandMary,atthepersonalrequestofthequeen,attemptsweremadetodoawaywiththistime-honouredcustom,andtolimitthelengthofalawyer ’sbeard.

On the 22ndof June, 3 and4Philip andMary,A.D. 1557, itwas ordered thatnoneofthecompaniesoftheInnerandMiddleTemple,underthedegreeofaknightbeingincommons,shouldweartheirbeardsabovethreeweeksgrowing,uponpainof XLs., and so double for every week after monition. They were, moreover,required to lay aside their arms, and itwas ordered “that noneof the companies,whentheybeincommons,shallwearSpanishcloak,swordandbuckler,orrapier,or gownes and hats, or gownes girded with a dagger;” also, “that “none of thecompanions,exceptKnightsorBenchers,shouldthenceforthwearintheirdoubletsor hoses any light colours, except scarlet and crimson; orwear any upper velvetcap,oranyscarf,orwingsontheirgownes,whitejerkyns,buskinsorvelvetshoes,double cuffs on their shirts, feathers or ribbens on their caps! That no attorneyshould be admitted into either of the houses, and that, in all admissions fromthenceforth, it should be an implied condition, that if the party admitted “shouldpractyseanyattorneyship,”hewasipsofactodismissed.*

In1Jac.I.,itwasordered,inobediencetothecommandsoftheking,thatnooneshouldbeadmittedamemberofeithersocietywhowasnotagentlemanbydescent—that none of the gentlemen should come into the hall “in cloaks, boots, spurs,swords,ordaggers;”anditwaspubliclydeclaredthattheir“yellowbands,andeartoyes,andshortcloaks,andweapons,”were“muchdislikedandforbidden.”

*MS.inBib.In.Temp.,No.19,fol.† In. Temp. Ad. Parliament, ibm. XV. die Novembris Anno Philippi etMariæ tertio et quarto, coram Johe

BakerMilite,NichoHareMlite,ThomaWhyteMilite,etal.MS.Bib.In.Tern.Div.p,shelf5,vol.xvii.Fol.393.

InA.D.1623,KingJamesrecommendedtheancientwayofwearingcapstobecarefullyobserved;andthekingwaspleasedtotakenoticeofthegoodorderofthehouse of the Inner Temple in that particular. His majesty was further pleased torecommendthatbootsshouldbelaidasideasillbefittinggownsmen;“forbootsandspurs,” sayshismajesty,“are thebadges ratherof roarers thanofcivilmen,whoshouldusethemonlywhentheyride.Thereforewehavemadeexampleinourowncourt,thatnobootsshallcomeintoourpresence.”

ThemodernTemplarsforalongperiodfullymaintainedtheancientcharacterand reputationof theTemple for sumptuousandmagnificenthospitality, althoughthevenisonfromtheroyalforests,andthewinefromtheking’scellars,†nolongermade its periodical appearance within the walls of the old convent. Sir JohnFortescuealludestotherevelsandpastimesoftheTempleinthereignofHenryVI.,andseveralancientwritersspeakofthegrandChristmasses,thereaders’feasts,the

masques, and the sumptuous entertainments afforded to foreign ambassadors, andeven to royalty itself.Various dramatic showswere got up upon these occasions,andthe leadingcharacterswhofiguredat themwere the“Marshallof theKnightsTemplars!” the constablemarshall, themaster of the games, the lieutenant of theTower,therangeroftheforest,thelordofmisrule,thekingofCockneys,andJackStraw!

TheConstableMarshallcameintothehallonbanquetingdays“fairlymountedon hismule,” clothed in complete armour, with a nest of feathers of all coloursuponhishelm,andagiltpoleaxeinhishand.Hewasattendedbyhalberdiers,andpreceded by drums and fifes, and by sixteen trumpeters, and devised some sport“forpassingawaytheafternoon.”

TheMasteroftheGame,andtheRangeroftheForest,wereapparelledingreenvelvet and green satin, and had hunting horns about their necks, withwhich theymarchedroundaboutthefire,“blowingthreeblastsofvenery.”

Themostremarkableofalltheentertainmentswasthehuntinthehall,whenthehuntsmancameinwithhiswindinghorn,dragginginwithhimacat,afox,apurse-net,andnineortencoupleofhounds!Thecatandthefoxwerebothtiedtotheendofastaff,andwereturnedlooseintothehall;theywerehuntedwiththedogsamidtheblowingofhuntinghorns,andwerekilledunderthegrate!!

*Exregistr.In.Temp.,f.112,119,b.Med.Temp.,f.24,a.Dugd.,Orig.Jurid.,p.310,311.†Ante,p.180.

Thequantityofvenisonconsumedonthesefestiveoccasionsparticularlyatthereaders’ feasts,wasenormous. In the reignofQueenMary, itwasorderedby thebenchersoftheMiddleTemple,thatnoreadershouldspendlessthanfifteenbucksinthehall,andthisnumberwasgenerallygreatlyexceeded:“therebefewsummerreaders,”weareinformedinanoldMS.accountofthereaders’feasts,“who,inhalfthetimethatheretoforeareadingwaswonttocontinue,spentsolittleasthreescorebucks, besides red deer; some have spent fourscore, some a hundred …”* Thelawyers in that golden age breakfasted on “brawn andmalmsey,” and supped on“venison pasties and roasted hens!” Among the viands at dinner were “faire andlarge bores’ heads served upon silver platters, with minstralsye, roasted swans,bustards,herns,bitterns,turkeychicks,curlews,godwits,&c.&c.”

ThefollowingobservationsconcerningtheTemple,andagrandentertainmentthere,inthereignofQueenMary,willbereadwithinterest.“ArriuinginthefaireriverofThames,IlandedwithinhalfealeagefromthecityofLondon,whichwas,asIconiectureinDecemberlast.Anddrawingneerethecitie,sodenlyhardtheshotofdoublecannons,insogreatanumber,andsoterrible,thatitdarkenedthewholeaire, wherewith, although I was in my native countrie, yet stoode I amazed, notknowingwhatitment.Thus,asIabodeindespaireeithertoreturneortocontinue

my former purpose, I chaunced to see comming towardes me an honest citizen,clothed in longgarment,keping thehighway, seming towalke forhis recreation,whichprognosticated ratherpeace thanperillOfwhomIdemaunded thecauseofthisgreatshot,whofrendlyanswered,’ It is thewarningshot to th’officersof theConstableMarshalloftheInnerTempletopreparetodinner!Why,saidI,isheofthatestate,thatseekethnotothermeanestowarnhisofficers,thenwithsuchterribleshotinsopeaceableacountrey?Marry,saithhe,hevtterethhimselfethebettertobethatofficerwhosenamehebeareth.Ithendemandedwhatprouincedidhegouernethat needeth such an officer. Hee answered me, the prouince was not great inquantitie, but ancient in true nobilitie; a place, said he, priuileged by the mostexcellent princess, the high gouernour of the whole land, wherein are store ofgentilmenof thewhole realme, that repaire thither to learne to rule, andobeybylaws, to yeelde their fleece to their prince and commonweale, as also to vse allotherexercisesofbodieandmindewhereuntonaturemostaptlyseruethtoadornebyspeaking,countenance,gesture,andvseofapparel, thepersonofagentleman;whereby amitie is obtained and continued, that gentilmenof al countries in theireyoung yeares, norished together in one place, with such comely order and dailyconference, are knit by continual acquaintance in such vnitie of mindes andmanners,aslightlyneuerafterisseuered,thenwhichisnothingmoreprofitabletothecommonweale.

*Dugd.Orig.Jurid.p.316.HerbertAntiq.,p.223to272.

“And after he had toldme thusmuch of honor of the place, I commended inmineownconceitthepollicieofthegouernour,whichseemedtovtterinitselfethefoundationofagoodcommonweale.For that thebestof theirpeoplefromtenderyeares trayned vp in precepts of justice, it could not chose but yeelde forth aprofitablepeopletoawisecommonweale.WhereforeIdeterminedwithmyselfetomakeproofeofthatIheardbyreporte.

“ThenextdayIthoughtformypastimetowalketothisTemple,andenteringinatthegates,Ifoundthebuildingnothingcostly;butmanycomlygentlemenoffaceaudperson,andtheretoverycourteous,sawIpassetooandfro.Passingforward,Ientered into a church of auncient building, wherein were many monumentes ofnoblepersonnagesarmedinknighteleyhabite,withtheircotesdepaintedinauncientshieldes,whereatItookpleasuretobehold.….

“Anonweheardthenoiseofdrumandfyfe.Whatmeaneththisdrumme?saidI.Quod he, this is to warn gentlemen of the household to repaire to the dresser;wherefore come onwithme, and yee shall standwhere yemay best see the hallserued; and so from thence broughtme into a long gallerie that stretcheth itselfealongestthehall,neeretheprince’stable,whereIsawtheprinceset,amanoftallpersonage, of mannelye countenance, somewhat browne of visage, strongelie

featured, and thereto comelie proportioned. At the neather end of the same tablewereplacedtheambassadorsofdiuersprinces.Beforehimstoodthecaruer,seruer,andcup-bearer,withgreatnumberofgentlemenwaytersattendinghisperson.Thelordessteward, treasorer,withdiuershonorablepersonages,wereplacedataside-tableneereadjoyning theprinceon therighthand,andatanother tableon the leftsidewereplacedthetreasorerofthehousehold,secretarie,theprince’sserjeantoflaw,thefourmastersofthereaulles,thekingofarmes,thedeaneofthechapell,anddiuersgentlemenpentionerstofurnishthesame.Atanothertable,ontheotherside,were set the maister of the game, and his chiefe ranger, maisters of household,clerkes of the greene cloth and checke,with diuers other strangers to furnish thesame. On the other side, againste them, began the table of the lieutenant of theTower, accompaniedwith diuers captaines of footbandes and shot.At the neatherendeofthehall,beganthetableofthehighbutlerandpanter,clerkesofthekitchen,maister cooke of the priue kitchen, furnished throughoutwith the souldiours andguardoftheprince…

“Theprincewasseruedwithtendermeates,sweetfruites,anddaintiedelicates,confectioned with curious cookerie, as it seemed woonder a word to serue theprouision. And at euerie course, the trompettes blew the courageous blaste ofdeadlyewarre,with noise of drum and fyfe,with the sweet harmony of viollens,shakbuts,recorders,andcornettes,withotherinstrumentsofmusicke,asitseemedApolloe’sharpehadtewnedtheirstroke.”

After dinner, prizes were prepared for “tilt and turney, and such knighteleypastime,andfor theirsolace theymaskedwithbewtie’sdameswithsuchheauenlyarmonieasifApolloandOrpheushadshewedtheircunning.”*

Masques, revels, plays, and eating and drinking, seem to have been as muchattendedtointheTempleinthosedaysasthegravestudyofthelaw.SirChristopherHatton,amemberof the InnerTemple,gained the favourofQueenElizabeth, forhisgraceandactivityinamasquewhichwasactedbeforehermajesty.Hewasmadevice-chamberlain, and afterwards lord chancellor!† In A.D. 1568, the tragedy ofTancredandGismund,thejointproductionoffivestudentsoftheInnerTemple,wasactedattheTemplebeforeQueenElizabethandhercourt.‡OnthemarriageoftheLadyElizabeth,daughterofKingJamesI.,toPrinceFrederick,theelectorpalatine,(Feb. 14th,A.D. 1613), amasquewasperformed at court by thegentlemenof theTemple, and shortly after, twenty Templars were appointed barristers there inhonourofPrinceCharles,whohad latelybecomeprinceofWales, “the chardgesthereof being defrayed by a contribution of xxxs. from each bencher, xvs. fromeuerybaristerofseauenyears’standing,andxs.apeicefromallothergentlemenincommons.”§

OfallthepageantspreparedfortheentertainmentofthesovereignsofEngland,the most famous one was that splendid masque, which cost upwards of £20,000,

presentedby theTemplars, in conjunctionwith themembersofLincoln’s InnandGray’sInn,toKingCharlesI.,andhisyoungqueen,HenriettaofFrance.Whitelock,inhisMemorials,givesaminuteandmostanimatedaccountofthismasque,whichwillbereadwithinterest,asaffordingacharacteristicandadmirableexhibitionofthemannersoftheage.

The procession from the Temple to the palace of Whitehall was the mostmagnificent that had ever been seen in London. “One hundred gentlemen in veryrichclothes,withscarceanythingtobeseenonthembutgoldandsilverlace,weremounted on the best horses and the best furniture that the king’s stable and thestablesofall thenoblemenintowncouldafford.”Eachgentlemanhadapageandtwolacqueysinliverywaitingbyhishorse’sside.Thelacqueyscarriedtorches,andthepagehismaster ’scloak.“Therichnessoftheirapparelandfurnitureglitteringbythelightofinnumerabletorches,themotionandstirringoftheirmettledhorses,and themanyandgay liveriesof theirservants,butespecially thepersonalbeautyand gallantry of the handsome young gentlemen, made the most glorious andsplendidshowthateverwasbeheldinEngland.”

*Leigh’sArmorie,fol.119.ed.1576.†Naunton’sFragmentaRegalia,p.248.‡Chalmer’sDiet.Biograph.,vol.xvii.p.227.§Dugd.Orig.Jurid.,p.150.ExregistroHosp.In.Temp.f.123.

These gallant Templars were accompanied by the finest band of pickedmusicians that London could afford, and were followed by the antimasque ofbeggarsandcripples,whoweremountedon“thepoorest,leanestjadesthatcouldbegotten out of the dirtcarts.” The habits and dresses of these cripples were mostingeniously arranged, and as the “gallant Inns ofCourtmen”had theirmusic, soalso had the beggars and cripples. It consisted of keys, tongs, and gridirons,“snappingandyetplaying inconcertbefore them.”After thebeggars’antimasquecameabandofpipes,whistles,andinstruments,soundingnoteslikethoseofbirds,ofallsorts,inexcellentharmony;andtheseusheredin“theantimasqueofbirds,”whichconsistedofanowlinanivybush,withinnumerableotherbirdsinaclusterabouttheowl,gazinguponher.“Thesewerelittleboysputintocoversoftheshapeofthosebirds,rarelyfitted,andsittingonsmallhorseswithfootmengoingbythemwithtorchesintheirhands,andthereweresomebesidestolookuntothechildren,and thesewere very pleasant to the beholders.”Then came awild, harsh band ofnorthernmusic,bagpipes,horns,&c., followedby the“antimasqueof projectors”whowereinturnsucceededbyastringofchariotsdrawnbyfourhorsesabreast,filledwith“godsandgoddesses,”andprecededbyheathenpriests.Then followedthechariotsofthegrandmasquersdrawnbyfourhorsesabreast.

Thechariotsof theInnerandMiddleTempleweresilverandblue.Thehorseswerecoveredtotheirheelswithclothoftissue,andtheirheadswereadornedwith

hugeplumesofblueandwhitefeathers.“Thetorchesandflamingflamboysbornebythesideofeachchariotmadeitseemlightsomasatnoonday…Itwas,indeed,agloriousspectacle.”

Whitelock gives a most animated description of the scene in the banqueting-room. “It was so crowded,” says he, “with fair ladies glittering with their richcloathsandricherjewels,andwithlordsandgentlemenofgreatquality,thattherewasscarceroomforthekingandqueentoenterin.”Theyoungqueendancedwiththemasquersherself,andjudgedthem“asgooddancersasevershesaw!”Thegreatladiesof thecourt, too,were“veryfreeandeasyandcivil indancingwithall themasquersastheyweretakenoutbythem.”

Queen Henrietta was so delighted with the masque, “the dances, speeches,musick, and singing,” that she desired to see the whole thing acted over again!whereuponthelordmayorinvitedtheirmajestiesandalltheInnsofCourtmenintothecity,andentertainedthemwithgreatstateandmagnificenceatMerchantTaylor ’sHall.*

ManyoftheTemplarswhoweretheforemostinthesefestivescenesafterwardstook up arms against their sovereign. Whitelock himself commanded a body ofhorse,andfoughtseveralsanguinaryengagementswiththeroyalistforces.

The year after the restoration, Sir Heneage Finch, afterwards earl ofNottingham, kept his readers’ feast in the great hall of the Inner Temple withextraordinary splendour. The entertainments lasted from the 4th to the 17th ofAugust.

Atthefirstday’sdinnerwereseveralof thenobilityof thekingdomandprivycouncillors,with divers others of his friends; at the secondwere the lordmayor,aldermen,andprincipalcitizensofLondon;tothethird,whichwastwodaysafterthe former, came thewhole collegeof physicians,who all appeared in their capsandgowns;atthefourthwereallthejudges,advocates,anddoctorsofthecivillaw,and all the society of Doctors’ Commons; at the fifth were entertained thearchbishops,bishops,andchiefoftheclergy;andonthe15thofAugusthismajestyKingCharlestheSecondcamefromWhitehallinhisstatebarge,anddinedwiththereaderandthewholesocietyinthehall.Hismajestywasaccompaniedbythedukeof York, and attended by the lord chancellor, lord treasurer, lord privy seal, thedukesofBuckingham,Richmond,andOrmond; thelordchamberlain, theearlsofOssory,Bristol,Berks,Portland,Strafford,Anglesy,Essex,Bath,andCarlisle; thelordsWen-tworth,Cornbury,DelaWarre,GerardofBrandon,BerkleyofStrattonandCornwallis,thecomptrollerandvice-chamberlainofhismajesties’shousehold;SirWilliamMorice,oneofhisprincipalsecretariesofstate;theearlofMiddleton,lord commissioner of Scotland, the earl of Glen-cairne, lord chancellor ofScotland,theearlsofLauderdaleandNew-burgh,andothersthecommissionersofthatkingdom,andtheearlofKildareandothers,commissionersofIreland.

AnentrancewasmadefromtheriverthroughthewallintotheTempleGarden,andhismajestywasreceivedonhis landingfromthebargeby thereaderand thelordchiefjusticeoftheCommonPleas,whilstthepathfromthegardentothehallwaslinedwiththereaders’servantsinscarletcloaksandwhitetabbadoublets,andabove themwere ranged thebenchers, barristers, and studentsof the society, “theloudmusickplaying from the time thathismajesty landed tillheentered thehall,where he was received with xx. violins.” Dinner was brought up by fifty of theyoung gentlemen of the society in their gowns, “who gave their attendance alldinner-while,noneotherappearinginthehallbutthemselves.”

On the 3rd ofNovember following, his royal highness the duke ofYork, theduke of Buckingham, the earl of Dorset, and SirWilliamMor-rice, secretary ofstate,wereadmittedmembersofthesocietyoftheInnerTemple,thedukeofYorkbeingcalledtothebarandbench.*

*Whitelock’sMemorials,p.18—22.Ed.1732.

In8Car.II.,A.D.1668,SirWilliamTurner,lordmayorofLondon,cametothereaders’feastintheInnerTemplewithhisswordandmaceandexternalemblemsofcivic authority,whichwasconsidered tobe anaffront to the society, and the lordmayorwasconsequentlyveryroughlyhandledbysomeof thejuniormembersoftheTemple.Hisworshipcomplainedtotheking,andthematterwasinquiredintobythecouncil,asappearsfromthefollowingproceedings:

“AttheCourteattWhitehall,the7thApril,1669,“Presenttheking’smostexcellentmajestie.”H.R.H.thedukeofYork.LordbishopofLondon.LordKeeper.LordArlington.DukeofOrmonde.LordNewport.LordChamberlaine.Mr.Treasurer.EarleofBridgewater.Mr.Vice-chamberlaine.EarleofBath.Mr.SecretaryTrevor.EarleofCraven.Mr.ChancelloroftheDutchy.EarleofMiddleton.Mr.JohnDuncombe.“Whereas,itwasorderedthe31stofMarchlast,thatthecomplaintsofthelord

maior of the city of London concerneing personall indignities offered to hislordshippeandhisofficerswhenhewaslatelyinvitedtodinewiththereaderoftheInnerTemple,shouldthisdayhaveafurtherhearing,andthatMr.Hodges,Mr.Wyn,andMr.Mundy,gentlemenoftheInnerTemple,againstwhomeparticularcomplaintwasmade, sshould appeare att the board, when accordingly, they attendinge, andboth parties being called in and heard by their counsell learned, and affidavitshaveingbeenreadagainstthesaidthreepersons,accuseingthemtohavebeenetheprincipall actors in that disorder, to which they haveingmade their defence, and

haveingpresentedseverallaffidavitstojustifietheircarriagethatday,thoughtheycouldnotextenuatethefaultsofotherswhointhetumultaffrontedthelordmaiorandhisofficers;andtheofficersofthelordmaior,whowasalleagedtohavebeeneabused in the tumult,didnotcharge ituponanieof theirparticularpersons;uponconsiderationwhereofitappeareingtohismajestiethatthematterdependingeverymuchupon the rightandpriviledgeofbeareingup the lordmaior ’sswordwithinthe Temple, which by order of this board of the 24th ofMarch last is left to bedecidedbydueproceedingsoflaweinthecourtsofWestminsterHall;hismajestiethereforethoughtfitt tosuspendthedeclarationofhispleasurethereuponuntil thesaidrightandpriviledgeshallaccordingliebedeterminedattlawe.”

Onthe4thofNovember,14Car.II.,hishighnessRupertprincepalatine,ThomasearlofCleveland,Jocelyn lordPercy, John lordBerkeleyofStratton,withHenryandBernardHowardofNorfolk,wereadmittedmembersof thefellowshipof theInnerTemple.*

*Dugd.Orig.p.157.Biog.Brit.vol.xiv.p.305.

Wemust now close our remarks on the Temple, with a short account of thequarrelwithDr.Micklethwaite,thecustosorguardianoftheTempleChurch.

After the Hospitallers had been put into possession of the Temple by KingEdwardtheThird,thepriorandchapterofthatorder,appointedtotheancientandhonourablepostofcustos,and thepriestwhooccupied thatoffice,hadhisdiet inoneorotherofthehallsofthetwolawsocieties,inthesamewayastheguardianpriest of theOrder of theTemple formerly hadhis diet in the hall of the ancientKnights Templars. He took his place, as did also the chaplains, by virtue of theappointmentofthepriorandchapteroftheHospital,withoutadmission,institutionor induction, for theHospitallerswereclothedwith theprivileges,aswellaswiththeproperty,oftheKnightsTemplars,andwereexemptfromepiscopaljurisdiction.The custos had, as beforementioned, by grant from the prior and chapter of theOrderofSt.John,onethousandfaggotsayeartokeepupthefireinthechurch,andtherentsofFicketzfeldandCotterellGardentobeemployedinimprovingthelightsandprovidingfortheduecelebrationofdivineservice.Fromtwotothreechaplainswere also provided by the Hospitallers, and nearly the same ecclesiasticalestablishmentappearstohavebeenmaintainedbythem,aswasformerlykeptupinthe Temple by the Knights Templars. In 21 Hen. VII. these priests had diverslodgings in theTemple,on theeastsideof thechurchyard,partofwhichwere letouttothestudentsofthetwosocieties.

Bysections9and10oftheact32Hen.VIII.,dissolvingtheOrderoftheHospitalofSt.John,itisprovidedthatWilliamErmsted,clerk,thecustosorguardianoftheTempleChurch,whoistherestyled“MasteroftheTemple,”andWalterLimseieandJohn Winter, chaplains, should receive and enjoy, during their lives, all such

mansion-houses,stipends,andwages,andallotherprofitsofmoney,inaslargeorampleamannerastheythenlawfullyhadthesame,thesaidMasterandchaplainsofthe Temple doing their duties and services there, as they had previously beenaccustomedtodo,andletterspatentconfirmingthemintheirofficesandpensionsweretobemadeoutandpassedunderthegreatseal.Thisappellationof“MasteroftheTemple,”whichancientlydenotedthesuperioroftheproudandpowerfulorderofKnightsTemplarsinEngland,thecounsellorofkingsandprinces,andtheleaderof armies, was incorrectly applied to the mere custos or guardianof the TempleChurch.Theactmakesnoprovisionforthesuccessorsofthecustosandchaplains,andEdwardtheSixthconsequently,afterthedeceaseofWilliamErmsted,conveyedthelodgings,previouslyappropriatedtotheofficiatingministers,toaMr.Keilwayand his heirs, after which the custos and clergymen had no longer of right anylodgingsatallintheTemple.*

*Dugd.Orig.p.158.

From the period of the dissolution of the Order of Saint John, down to thepresent time, the custos, or, as he is now incorrectly styled, “the Master of theTemple,”hasbeenappointedbyletterspatentfromthecrown,andtakeshisplaceasin the olden time, without the ceremony of admission, institution, or induction.These letterspatentarecouched inverygeneralandextensive terms,andgive thecustosorMastermanythingstowhichheisjustlyentitled,asagainstthecrown,butnolongerobtains,andprofesstogivehimmanyotherthingswhichthecrownhadno power whatever to grant. He is appointed, for instance, “to rule, govern, andsuperintendthehouseoftheNewTemple;”butthecrownhadnopowerwhatevertomakehimgovernorthereof,thegovernmenthavingalwaysbeeninthehandsoftheMasters of the bench of the two societies, who succeeded to the authority of theMaster and chapter of theKnights Templars. In these letters patent the Temple isdescribedasarectory,whichitneverhadbeen,noranythinglikeit.Theyprofesstogivetothecustos“allandallmanneroftythes,”buttherewerenotythestogive,theTemple having been specially exempted from tythe as a religious house bynumerouspapalbulls.Theletterspatentgivethecustosalltherevenuesandprofitsofmoneywhichthecustodeshadatanytimepreviouslyenjoyedbyvirtueoftheiroffice,buttheserevenuesweredissipatedbythecrown,andthepropertyformerlygrantedbythepriorandchapterofSaintJohn,andbypiouspersonsinthetimeofthe Templars, for the maintenance of the priests and the celebration of divineservice in the Temple Church was handed over to strangers, and the custos wasthrown by the crown for support upon the voluntary contributions of the twosocieties.Hereceived, indeed,amiserablepittanceof37l6s.8d. per annum fromtheexchequer,butforthishewastofindathisownexpenseaministertoservethechurch,andalsoaclerkorsexton!

AsthecrownretainedinitsownhandstheappointmentofthecustosandalltheancientrevenuesoftheTempleChurch,itoughttohaveprovidedforthesupportoftheofficiatingministers,asdidtheHospitallersofSaintJohn.

“Thechardgesofthefellowshyppe,”saystheMS.accountoftheTemplewrittenin the reignofHen.VIII., “towards the salaryormete anddrinkof thepriests, isnone; for they are found by my lord of Saint John’s, and they that are of thefellowshyppeofthehousearechardgedwithnothingtothepriests,savingthattheyhave eighteen offring days in the yeare, so that the chardge of each of them isxviiid.”*

In the reign of Jamcs the First, the custos, Dr. Micklethwaite’s, put forwardcertainunheard-ofclaimsandpretensions,whichledtoarupturebetweenhimandthe two societies. The Masters of the bench of the society of the Inner Temple,taking umbrage at his proceedings, deprived the doctor of his place at thedinnertableland“willedhimtoforbearthehalltillhewassentfor.”In8Car.I.,A.D.1633, the doctor presented a petition to the king, in which he claims precedencewithintheTemple“accordingtoauncientcustome,hebeingmasterof thehouse,”andcomplainsthat“hisplaceinthehallisdenyedhimandhisdyett,whichplacetheMasteroftheTemplehatheverhadbothbeforetheprofessionofthelawekeptintheTemple and ever since,whensoever he came into the hall. That tythes are notpaydehim,whereasbypattentheistohaveomnesetomnimodasdecimas.…Thatthey denye all ecclesiastical jurisdiction to the Master of the Temple, who isappointedby the king’s majesty master and warden of the house ad reyendum,gubernandum, et officiendum dornum et ecclesiam,”&c. The doctor goes into alonglistofgrievancesshowingthelittleauthoritythathepossessedintheTemple,thathewasnotsummonedtothedeliberationsofthehouses,andhecomplainsthat“theywill give him no consideración in the InnerHouse for his supernumerariesermonsintheforenoon,norforhissermonsintheafternoon,”andthattheofficersoftheInnerTemplearecommandedtodisrespecttheMasteroftheTemplewhenhecomestothehall.”

*HarleianMS.,No.830

Theshortanswertothedoctor ’scomplaintis,thatthecustosofthechurchneverhadanyofthethingswhichthedoctorclaimedtobeentitledto,anditwasnotinthepowerofthecrowntogivethemtohim.

The ancient custos being, as before mentioned, a priest of the Order of theTemple, and afterwards of the Order of the Hospital, was a perfect slave to histemporal superiors, andcouldbedeprivedofhispost,becondemned toadietofbreadandwater,andbeperpetuallyimprisoned,withoutappealtoanypower,civilorecclesiastical,unlesshecouldcausehiscomplaintstobebroughttotheearofthepope.Dr.MicklethwaitequitemisunderstoodhispositionintheTemple,anditwas

wellforhimthatthemastersofthebenchesnolongerexercisedthedespoticpoweroftheancientmasterandchapter,orhewouldcertainlyhavebeencondemnedtothepenitentialcellinthechurch,andwouldnothavebeenthefirstcustosplacedinthatunenviableretreat.*

Thepetitionwasreferredtothelordsofthecouncil,andafterwardstoNoy,theattorney-general, and in themean time the doctor locked up the church and tookawaythekeys.Thesocietiesorderedfreshkeystobemade,andthechurchtobesetopen.Noy,tosettlealldifferences,appointedtomeet thecontendingpartiesinthechurch,andthenalludingtothepretensionsofthedoctor,hedeclaredthatifhewerevisitorhewouldproceedagainsthimtanquamelatusetsuperbus.

Intheendthedoctorgotnothingbyhispetition.In the time of the Commonwealth, after Dr. Micklethwaite’s death, Oliver

Cromwellsenttoinquireintothedutiesandemolumentsofthepostof“MasteroftheTemple,”asappearsfromthefollowingletter:

*MS.Bib.Cotton.Vitellius,c.9.fol.320a.

“From his highness I was commanded to speakewith you for resolution andsatisfactionintheisefollowingparticulers—

“1. Whether the Master of the Temple be to be putt in him by way ofpresentation,orhow?

“2.Whetherhebebound toattendandpreachamong themin terme timesandoutofterme?

“3.Orifoutoftermeanassistantmustbeprovided?then,whetheratthechargeoftheMaster,orhowotherwise?

“4. Whether publique prayer in the chapell be allwayes performable by theMaster himselfe in terme times?Andwhether in timeof vacation it be constantlyexpectedfromhimselfeorhisassistant.

“5.WhatthecertainrevenueoftheMasteris,andhowitarises?“6.Sir, thegentlemanhishighness intends tomakeMaster is.Mr.Resburneof

Oundle, a most worthy and learned man, pastor of the church there, whereof Imyselfeamanunworthymember.

“7. The church would be willing (for publique good) to spare him in termetimes, but will not part with him altogether. And in some of the particulersaforementionedMr.R. is very desirous to be satisfyd; his highness chiefly in thefirst.

“8.Ibeggofyoutoleaveabriefeanswertothesaidpartienlars,andIshallcallonyourservantforit.

“ForthehonourableHenryScobell,esq.,theise.”†During the late repair of the Temple Church, A.D. 1830, the workmen

discoveredanancientsealoftheOrderoftheHospital,whichwascarriedaway,and

appearstohavegotintothehandsofstrangers.OnonesideofitisrepresentedtheholysepulchreofJerusalem,withtheSaviourinhistomb.Athisheadisanelevatedcross, and above is a tabernacle or chapel, from the roof of which depend twoincense pots. Around the seal is the inscription, “Fr––––Berengarii CustosPauperumHospitalisJherusalem.”Onthereverseaholymanisrepresentedonhiskneesintheattitudeofprayerbeforeapatriarchalcross,oneithersideofwhicharethelettersAlphaandOmega.Underthefirstletterisastar.

TheseparticularshavebeenfurnishedmebyMr.Savage,thearchitect.

THEEND.

*See the examination ofBrotherRadulph deBarton, priest of theOrder of theTemple, and custos of theTempleChurch,beforethepapalinquisitorsatLondon.––ConcilMag.Brit.,tom.ii.p.335,338,ante,p.221,222.

†Peck,DesiderataCuriosa,lib.xiii.p.504,505.Ed.1779.