The Templars (44 page)

1236
The Christians capture Cordoba in Spain.

1244
Fall of the Cathar stronghold at Montsegur. Loss of Jerusalem. Battle of La Forbie.

1248–54
Crusade of St Louis.

1250–60
Emergence of a Mameluke sultanate in Egypt and Syria.

1266
The Mamelukes take the Templar castle of Saphet (Safad).

1268
The Mamelukes take Beaufort castle from the Templars.

1271
The Templars abandon Safita (Chastel Blanc) and the Hospitallers abandon Krak des Chevaliers to the Mamelukes.

1271–72
Crusade of Edward of England; he agrees a ten-year truce with the Mamelukes.

1291
Fall of Acre to the Mamelukes (May); the Templars evacuate Tortosa and Athlit (August).

1300–01
Templars attack the Egyptian coast; attempt to retake Outremer fails.

1302
Loss of Ruad off the Syrian coast and the massacre of the Templar garrison.

1307
Arrest of the Templars in France (October).

1308
James of Molay and other Templar leaders meet secretly with papal emissaries at Chinon and are absolved.

1310
Burning of fifty-four Templars as relapsed heretics near Paris.