The Templars' Last Days by David Scott Page A

fact from Matthew Cisena, the trusted legate to the Pope, in which he confirmed that, following their meeting in Lyon he had advised the Pope that if such evidence of heresy being committed by the Knight Templars was laid before the papacy, then there was no other option for the Holy Father but to disown and disband the whole Holy Order of the Knight Templars.
    Being already beside himself with joy, the King listened in an ever growing intensity, as a jubilant William went on to explain that he had already worked out how these charges of heresy against, not only the Grand Master, but the whole Templar organisation could be manufactured.
    The King squeezed the arm of William even tighter as they walked happily in the sunshine revelling in their success. At last King Philip had the Grand Master and the Knight Templars exactly where he wanted them. Finally he could imagine taking control of the Templars’ 9000 estates, and the money, the money, oh the money!
     

Chapter 6
    I had enjoyed the light and refreshing lunch which had been provided by the Monks of Avignon, after which our meeting was reconvened in the Common Room. The sun had reached the apex of its journey across the blue cloudless sky, and the day was reaching its hottest point. Each of us, I think, was extremely thankful that this room had been chosen, for it was situated in the North side of the building and would at least offer some relief from the extreme heat of the day.
    Now, with everybody back in the room, and prayers having been given, our Master Giles commenced to communicate the actions of the Knight Templars to the papal delegates.
    Giles began by reminding us all that following our initial talks some months ago regarding the possibility and feasibility of a new Holy Crusade, our Grand Master, Jacques de Molay, had made his way across to Cyprus in an attempt to raise the necessary finance for the new Crusade, whilst at the same time to secure a binding and mutual understanding with the Knights of St. John.
    This meeting in Cyprus between the two Grand Masters, had seen them exchange many ideas and thoughts about the planned Crusade, together with many other issues which involved, or would affect, their two Holy organisations. High on that agenda was the claim of King Philip IV to unite the two Orders into a single organisation with him at its head.
    As both Grand Masters were pragmatists, with each being equally proud of their own Holy Order, they both held the same strong belief that their organisations should remain as independent units, they agreed that there was little symmetry between their operation, both militarily and philosophically. The only common denominators between them were their devotion to the Holy Father and his Church, and the need for a Holy Crusade in order to return the Holy Lands to the Christian faith.
    Current circumstances and pressures had forced them to now become united as one in the fight against the wishes of King Philip IV to bring these proud and historic Holy Orders under his direct authority. The loyalty of both Grand Masters was only to the office of the Pope and they would, without question, submit to his Holy wishes and directions. This was the dichotomy the two Grand Masters were struggling with, for the request for King Philip IV to unite the Orders had come directly from Pope Clement V.
    This was an extremely delicate and difficult position into which they had been placed, and it was important that they found a solution which would not only resolve the dilemma, but would also ensure both Orders were to remain independent, whilst at the same time to be seen as being complicit with their oath of allegiance to the Pope.
    It took many days of discussion between the Grand Masters before a resolution was reached that both parties could act upon, though neither side was happy with the outcome that such a resolution as had been agreed would bring about. However, they had no other choice if they wished to ensure that both