Americus times-recorder., 1919-06-06

2uiCS SAdcl, Dul CANNOT De lar from
the truth. This gift endowed the Tenn
plars with very rich territory In
1163 the churches of Voulaines and of
Leuglay were given to the Templars
with much land and forests making
them very rich and very powerful
This gift of Paganus establishes that
at Bure was founded one of the first,
If not the first, preceptorus of the
Knights Templars created in France.
Possibly here was the real birthplace
of an order which soon spread rapidly
and became one of the most powerful
religio-military organizations that
the world has ever known.
No Record on Numbers.
Very little is known of the actual
life of the Templars following the es-
tablishment of the Preceptory at Bure.
No record is left as to the number
of Knights who lived here. However,
this much is certain that after the de-
estine, that several knights were in
stalled here for the purpose of col
lecting revenues and received young
noblemen who desired to enroll them
selves under the banner of the Tenn
plars. We do know that in 1885 Endes
|, the son of Rainald II, of Grancey.
became a knight Templar, and re-
tired to the house of the Templars at
Bure. He was the most powerful no
BILE in this part of France excepting
only the Duke of Bourgogne and the
Count of Champagne. His son Endes II
same time later left with the crusaders
and met his death in the Holy Land.
Some years after this Bure came
under the control of the Knights of
Malta, probably due to political re-
verses. In 1872 the Knights of St. John
who were the successors of the Tenn
plars, came into possession of Bure,
and apparently continued in their pos
session up to the time of the revolu-
tion. After 1872, however Bure was
abandoned by the knights, who left
this place and had their home al
Epailly near Montigny sur Aube.
{ Following this Bure passed through
the same series of misfortunes endured
by all other French towns. The relig-
ious war brought on much suffering
to everybody. Both Protestants and
Catholics were each in their turn re-
sponsible for cruelties that are now
happily forgotten. During the Franco
Prussian war of 1870 Bure was at
several different times occupied by
the Germans who levied fines and har-
assed the people severely.
! To one interested in the history of
the Templars, Bure would well repay
thorough research. At this time there
remains many of their works. The
church itself, or at least part of it, is
the work of their hands. There are
three distinct portions built at three
different periods but it is impossible
to ascribe definite time to their con-
struetion. The oldest part was built
about the ear 1920 This part is now
the principal nave of the church.
SOllu UlOCh VI oSI llilO IIlS
floor between the two older portions of
the church contains carved thereon
the emblems of the order. A finely
preserved tombstone with the figure
of a Templar in full armor is now
kept within the church. This was
found about the year 1850 being
used as a foot bridge across little
stream nearby. The PERCEPTION was
Joined to the old part of the church on
the east. and while most of this is in
ruins much remains to remind us of
it's former glory. The cross and shield
of the order is still seen carved in the
stone above the ancient windows. The
private chapel of the knights can still
be seen, although much of the roof
has fallen. Massive stone stairs re-
main, which look as though they may
last another thousand years. In one
or two rooms the solid oak beams are
very well preserved.
On Site of Fortress.
The preceptory or chapter house
undoubtedly occupied the same ground
as that of the fortress of Paganus of
Bure, who gave the property to the
Templars and was its first preceptor.
In the days of it's power the church
and preceptory were surrounded by a
very high and strong wall being about
one meter in thickness and the Tenn
plars were we'll prepared to withstand
any attacks upon their stronghold.
It is to be regretted that space does
not admit of complete description
of the group of buildings, with the
church, that compose this early home
of the Templars. To the members OF
the command who are interested in
Free Masonry and especially those
who know the work of the Templars
in connection with the order, COM
plete description would be of special
interest.
Time changes all things, and as we
look on the ruins of what was once
a.,.,,,.f,,I ordar we are to be cOngrat-