The Washington times., 1894-10-07

bone came away, which / present to you
Another Templar, on publicly revokinS his
confession. declared that four of his teeth
were drawn out, and he confessed himself
guilty TO save the remainder. Others OF the
fraternity deposed to the infiction on them
of the most revolving and indecent torments,
and in addition to all this it appeared that
forged letters from the grand master were
shown to the prisoners. exhorting them TO
confess themselves. Many of the Tempiars
were accordingly compelled TO acknowledge
whatever was required of them and 20 plead
guilty to the commission of crimes which in
the previous interrogatoriesA they had posi-
lively denied.
SOME IYDlGNITIEs SUFFERED.
Here Is another instance of the outrages to
which the Templars were subjected-there
were many Others quite as ludicrous and hor-
rible: Many aged and illustrious warriors,
who merited a better fate, appeared before
their Judges pale and trembling. At first
they revoked their confessions, declared their
innocence, and were remanded 10 prison; and
then. panic-stricken. they demanded to be led
back before the papal commissioner, when they
abandoned their retractions. persisted in their
previous ayowals of guilty" humbly eN-
pressed their sorrow and repentance, and were
then pardoned. absolyed. and reconcled 10 the
church, The torture still continued TO be ap-
piled, and out of the thirty-three Templars
confined in the Chateau d AlIX four died IN prls-
on and the remaining twenty-nine confessed,
among other things, the following absurditles:
That IN the prominent chapter OF the order
held at Montpelier the Templars set up
head and worshiped it; that the devil often
appeared there in the shape OF cat and con-
yersed with the assembled brethren, and
promised them good harvest with the pos
session of riches and all kinds Of temporal
prosperitv. Some asserted that the head
worshiped by the fraternity possessed long
beard. others that it was woman s head, and
one OF the prisoners declared that rs often as
this wonderful head was adored Il great num-
ber of devils made their appearance IN the
shape Of beautiful women.
These things happened in France. England
had equal tortures. This, for example, was
the fate of Brother Himbert Blanche. the
grand preceptor Of Aurerque: He appeared 10
have been a knight Of high honor and Of stern,
unbending pride. From first 10 last ne had
boldly protested against the violent ~ eed-
ings OF the inQuisitors and had i-issess.y
maintained amid all trials his own in-- Jcence
and that Of his order. This LlustriOus lemplar
had fought under four successive grand mas
ters in defense Of the Cristian faith in Pales-
tine. and after the fall OF Acre had led in per-
son several daring expeditions against the in
fldels. FOR these meritorious services he was
rewarded IN the lOllOWluS manner: Aitct HdN-
ing been tortured and half starved in the En-
glish prisons for five gears. he was condemned,
as he would make no confession OF guilt. TO be
shut up in a loathsome dungeon, TO be loaded
with double chains, and 10 be occasionally
visited by the agents of the inquisition to see
if he would confess anything further In tits
miserable situation he remained until death
at last put an end 10 his sutferings.
The discipline of the Templars was strict
and austere 10 an extreme. 1t is recorded
that disobedient brethren were confined in
chains and dungeons for longer or a shorter
period. or perpetually, according as it might
seem eXpedient, in order that their souls
might be saved at last from the eternal prison.
In addition to Imprisonment the Templars
were scOurged on their bare backs by the hand
of the master himself in the Temple Hall, and
were frequently whipped on Sundays in the
church in the presence OF the whole congre-
CATION.
Brother Adam de Yalaincomb, a knight OF {
noble family, quIJted the order Of the Temble
but afterWard returned smitten with remorst
for his disobedience, and sought to be ad'
mitted 10 the society of his former brethren.
He was compelled by the master 10 eat for d
year on the ground with the dogs, 10 fast
four days ia the week on bread and water
and every sunday To present himself naked
in the church before the high altar and re
ceiye the discipline al the hands OF the Off
ciating priest in the presence Of the whole
congregation.