Sat, Jan 15, 2005
The Templars arose as noble-born European crusader knights protecting the Holy Land and notably pilgrimage to it, but amassed major income (and power) from domestic estates, making their Grand master, who answering only to Rome, a prestigious Catholic prince. After the Muslim reconquest of the crusader state of Jerusalem, French king Philip IV's desired to finance his absolutism and eliminate a 'rival' state within the state. New findings prove even the French pope Clement V didn't believe allegations; in fact Philip's chancellor Nogaré organized the murder of the previous pope and rumors of papal partaking in false Templar practices. The outrageous accusations of homosexuality, sorcery and various sodomy within the Templars lack all credibility, yet the sudden arrest and manipulated Inquisition trial and torture of all Templars in France, made even the last grand master confess falsely. This successfully achieved the fiendish king's selfish target - except the order was still missing the legendary treasure.