Dallas herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1849-1873, 1859-09-07
The Knights Templars.

The suppressien of this renowned order, AFTER
a brilliant military career Of two centuries, was
ana of the most memorable events of the middle
ages. Upon Phillip the Falr of France, and al
most e0nally upon Pope Clement v, rests
tho inGmy 0i this transaction, From \,
D., llll, until 4, d, 1910, the knights Tenn
plaTs and the knights OF st, John formed tho
hulwark and reserve Of ChristendOm against the
Mohammedans in the Holy land and elsewhere,
The Knights of 81, John sustained Iheis OTgani-
ation several centuries after tho destruction of
the Templars, and in Rhodes seemed impregna-
bic both TO European and AsiaIic enemies, The
Iemplars, however were scattered throughput
ChTistendOm, and in every nation OF the West
formed wealty and powerful republic, Indeed
their wealth was their ruin, 10 which the secre-
oy OF initiation greatly contributed, Phillip the
Fair was rapaoOus, iRdgcnt, and unscrupulouS'
! lie was the mortal enemy of Pope Bonilaee
INl!l, whose poSthumOus fame even he wished 10
blast by condemnation in general Council
To prevent this disgrace OF the papal caV"lIsup'
Clement, the successor of Boniiacc, although no
claimed the right of presiding at the trial oi the
Iemplars, and indeed his consent 10 their sup
preston was held to DO Indispensable 10 the last
confirmed the decree of Phillip ut tho council oi
Vicnne The Pope, therefore, gayo up the Tom
plars on condition that Phillip should allow Bo'
niface to rest quietly in his grave and Philip
sacrificed his hate TO his ayarice, Du MOlay, tno
last Grand Master of the Templurs, was trcach-
erously invited from the East to Paris, MS ii for
consultation with tho King and Mobiles of France
lie came, imprudcntlY bringing vast amount
of money in gold and silver, 3.757 900 dollars in
gold, if we multiply by fifteen, tho estimated dls,
ference in the value of money at that time and
the present, Of an untold amount His castle Mt
Paris, opposite that of the King, was far moro
massive, splendid and richly furnished. The or
der, in fact had castles and mansions of the
most costly description, and cultivated estates
throughout Europe. 1t seems that their des,
truction was determined upon before the form or
character of the charges was matured. Orders
werc given for the simultaneous arrest of every
Knight Tcmplar in Europe. These orders were
fully obeyed in France, Spain, Germany, Eng
land and Italy In France, Germany and Italy
they were forced to rccant and abandon the or
der, or burn. In England, Spain and elsewhere,
they were arrested annoyed and disbandcd, but
it does not appear that they suffered capitally.
Their available property was Immediately seized
by Phillip, and their other property, in other
realms was conferred upon the knights of st.
John by the Pope Il bequcst they lived to rue.
The Tcmplars We're charged with a variety OF
ridiculous crimes, such as the Papacy had
brought into vogue in the middle ages The
Grand InQuisitor charged them with spit
ting upon the cross, with worshiping the figure
of some monstrOus head, with the omission OF
.la WuIas ut cpusn".. u'n IN the mass. Win Ger
tain kisses. ha description Of which Is not Civ
en- uuG more seriously, with tha denial o.. Chris.
tpl with umnUrI NW"H. Tine evidence agulns.
ihuu was H.t such as would o8 entertained 40
che courts 9E the prasout iuv TOR moment. The
gA.. FURNISHED ui..g q. evidence .,b.g support
ed by u rsw snrv.ats and u4das.in.d listeners
iuu brave Du Ai0lBv. after six velr5 OF uuur'H.
'..rfl % nd %