The Templars' Last Days (7 page)

Philip continued his story by saying that such an alliance was now totally dependent on the Knights of St. John agreeing to the same arrangements. To Foulques this news hit him like a bolt of lightning, and he appeared to be as puzzled as William at this revelation, but the King appeared not to notice this hesitation and confusion in Foulques’ face.

Continuing in this matter of fact tone, Philip now went on to inform Foulques that it was only last month that Jacques de Molay, on his return from Cyprus, had paraded through Paris with 60 of his best Knights and a dozen wagons full of treasure to be deposited in their Paris preceptory as a gesture of goodwill towards the King and to assist in the preparation for the next Crusade.

During all of this one sided conversation the King never turned once to see Foulques’ reaction, but simply carried on talking as if he had not a care in the world, ending with the comment that the next Crusade could only go ahead if the Knights of St. John now agreed to throw in their hand and to come under the direct control of Philip.

With that final comment, and without waiting for any reply, Philip stuck his spurs into his horse and broke into a gallop across the opening that was now in front of them, whilst William remained just behind the stunned and speechless Foulques.

Although this request of the King would have no doubt surprised Foulques, it was not the first time such an approach had been made. For it was less than a year ago when the King had made the same suggestion to him but at that time it was via Pope Clement V. The response from the Knight Templars was well known to Foulques as being a defiant no, not now or ever whilst he had breath in his body. So what had brought about this change of heart? Foulques was clearly confused, and he was reacting more out of instinct than consciousness when he spurred his stead into a gallop after the King.

William could not but smile at the audacity of Philip. The King had played a master stroke of political manipulation, and there could only be one winner, Philip IV King of France and soon to be the Grand Master of the Knight Templars and the Knights of St.
John. William’s horse broke into a gallop with a very happy rider astride it.

The trio rode mostly in silence for what time there was left of the afternoon, returning to the palace in the early evening. The stable boys greeted the riders and helped them to dismount, whilst at the top of the steps leading to the piazza, three butlers each carried a large silver tray, on top of which was wine and fruit for the refreshment of the riders.

As the King took a long and welcome drink of wine, he looked Foulques directly in the eye. Foulques took his full goblet and, returning the look, he suggested a toast, "to our alliance" and both he and the King tapped the other’s goblet and drank a deep drink to mark this auspicious occasion. The King assumed the Foulques would stay the night, which meant William would be staying too as he knew that with the Knights of St. John now firmly in his pocket, the King would not rest until he had the full facts explained to him regarding the Pope and the Knight Templars.

Once inside the palace, the trio went their separate ways to their bedchambers. William was glad that there was sufficient time to catch up on some much needed sleep before dinner, as the hectic travelling he had endured over the previous days, together with the wine, heat and exertions of this afternoon had left him quite exhausted.

His butler had prepared a bath in readiness of William wishing to clean up after the long ride, for which William was most thankful. Once bathed and dressed in a loose but crisp cotton nightshirt, William instructed his butler not to let anyone other than the King disturb him whilst he slept.

Suitably refreshed from his short sleep and dressed in his finest tunic which he always left at the palace for occasions just like this, William made his way across the palace to the dining room where the evening meal was to be served.

Accepting the offer of a goblet of wine from the butler who was stationed at the open door to the dining room, William joined Foulques who was stood by the window and enjoying the company of two of the Queen’s ladies-in-waiting.

Of the many dining rooms within the palace, this was by far the smallest, yet, the most intimate. The oval table as always was dressed to perfection. The centre of the table was dominated by a silver candelabra which had seven arms. Directly above it hung a magnificent chandelier. The flicker of light produced by the candles jumped around the silver cutlery and goblets which had been laid for eight people.

William and Foulques did not have long to wait before the King and Queen joined them, and once the required curtsies had been observed, all sat and the meal was served.

The atmosphere throughout the evening reflected the happy mood of both the King and the Grand Master of the Knights of St. John, now an arrangement between them had been decided upon, but, as William knew, their joy was for entirely different reasons. The King, because he now believed he was one step closer to the Knight Templar treasure; the Grand Master, because he believed he and the rest of his Knights of St. John could now prepare in earnest for the next Holy Crusade.

To William it seemed clear that prior to this evening meal the King had spoken with the Queen, for as Foulques made his leave to retire, the three hand maids that had caught his eye over lunch also retired. Philip was going to ensure that the young Foulques fully enjoyed all of the King’s famous hospitality.

William looked over the table to catch the King’s eye, who in return gave a slight shake of the head. Clearly the King wished to retire on this note of success; William’s report would have to wait until the morning. On this understanding William too made his leave to retire, which was granted by a wave of the King’s hand, and so he bowed to the Queen and headed to his carriage and home in a melancholy mood for in some ways it had been a good day, but-–

Chapter 5

Once we were sure that Walter was clear of the corridor and we were confident that we could not be overheard, the Pope was invited to take his seat at the table. Each sat in what I thought of as an unplanned and haphazard manner, but I realised that once both parties were seated, that we had unconsciously mirrored each other. The Pope and Giles were facing each other, as were Jon and Matthew, which left only Guy and myself to occupy the two remaining chairs.

We each had our own part to play today: Guy and I were the acting scribes and had been instructed to record those points which were felt to be of importance; Jon and Matthew's roles were to assist the Master and Pope accordingly in sorting out the fine details on their behalf, and then reporting back to them the options that required their decisions. The Master and the Pope were to be engaged primarily in the bigger picture and to reach the broad brush of any agreement.

Before we started, the Pope asked us to stand and join with him in prayer that these talks would be successful – a sentiment that everybody present was in agreement with. Once seated the Pope then started to talk. His voice was quiet and gentle on the ear, and perhaps revealed the placid nature that he was renowned for. Those close to him say that he was slow to anger, quick to praise and gentle when he needed to admonish any errors, which, I had been informed, made a pleasant and welcome change from the domineering character of his two immediate predecessors.

His conversation started with a thank you to Giles for the financial and moral support that the Knight Templars had always given to the Church of Rome, during the better times as well as the dark and trying days which we were currently living through. The Pope expressed his earnest thanks that within the security of the Templar preceptories were safely stored the ancient and irreplaceable Holy relics of the Catholic Church upon which it was founded. And he was confident that there they would remain, safely protected and hidden from those in the outside world who would seek to profit from them should they ever fall into their avaricious hands.

For at the height of his powers Bernard of Clairveaux had persuaded the then Pope, Innocent II, that leaving these priceless and irreplaceable Church relics within the walls of Rome was not safe and they would be far more secure within a Templar preceptory. The political uncertainties around Europe at that time, together with the lack of certainty of the Pope's residency continuing within Rome, convinced Pope Innocent II that Bernard was correct and that the Knight Templars with their large network of preceptories and estates would provide both the security and protection that these priceless relics required. The Knight Templars had been the constant guardians of those Holy relics ever since.

Amongst those Holy relics are to be found, not only the personal belongings and the clothes worn by St Peter and St Paul during their first missionaries to Rome, but also those items which they brought with them out of Jerusalem as mementos of remembrance of their time spent with the Lord whilst He was here on Earth. Importantly, they retained from their last supper with Christ, his plate and goblet, together with the bowl and towel with which He washed the disciples’ feet. The two Saints had also managed to bring with them some of the remnants of the robe worn by their Lord before his crucifixion, which the Romans had torn into pieces and distributed amongst the Pharisees.

Over the many centuries countless other Holy relics have been donated to the Catholic Church for safe keeping. Amongst the most sacred of these are those which were donated to the Church by Queen Helena, mother of the Roman Emperor Constantine. Notable amongst these artefacts are the detailed maps and drawings of the churches she built on the sites which, in her research, represented the most important landmarks in the life of Jesus. To be found amongst these priceless documents are the blueprint of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, built upon the very spot where she believed Jesus was crucified.

There were also those Holy relics and artefacts brought back from the Holy Lands by the original Templars, which they acquired from their excavations in the vaults of Solomon's Temple. The blueprints held by the Templars were to provide invaluable aid in the discovery of many of the long lost vaults, enabling them to liberate the treasures they still contained. Amongst these were the Ark of the Covenant, the Temple candlesticks and the priest’s washing bowls.

Further excavations by these first Templars brought to light some of the first versions of the Hebrew Tanakh and earliest Christian Bibles, which they also brought back and passed into the Church's possession.

Any thought of such Holy and sacred objects, upon which the Catholic Church was founded, falling into the hands of King Philip IV – or for that matter any other Monarch – sent a cold shiver down the back of Pope Clement V. He may be remembered, or not, in the future, but he did not want to be placed into the history books as the Pope who, whilst in office, was the one responsible for the handing over of all of the Church's heritage to an avaricious King.

The Pope continued to praise the Knight Templars for their continued generous financial support, which had allowed the Church to function effectively over many decades. Whilst support from the haphazard and irregular donations of Monarchs and wealthy benefactors was always warmly welcomed, it was the regular financial contributions and support of the Knight Templars that was the main financial cog which kept the Church moving.

Where would we be without your help? The Pope asked, and after all you have done for our Church, all the sacrifices that over the centuries the Knight Templars have made, yet now, I must ask you for the ultimate sacrifice in order to save the Church. I fear it would be too much to ask of any one individual, let alone an entire organisation that has done so much.

Our Papa was clearly distressed as he related these, his inner most thoughts, into words, for his eyes were looking wet and his gentle voice was beginning to quiver. He dropped his head into his hands and his whole body began to shake, as his emotions got the better of him. All of us in the room were stunned into a respectful silence, for it was most apparent that the Pontiff was struggling and wrestling with these pent-up feelings.

The office of Pope had become but a pawn between two giant organisations, and Clement's natural instinct was that of wanting not to offend either party but to please both; however, the time when this was an option had now run out. A decision had to be made as to his true allegiance. Was it to be the King of France who had secured for him this position of Pope, or, the Church who had nurtured and fed him for most of his life? How could he betray his Lord? Yet he feared that if he did not, his mortal life would become a living hell. Was there not a way, even at this late stage, where a solution to appease both could not be found?

Although he held the exalted title of Pope Clement V, he was after all only a human being betrayed as anyone else by our human frailties. He was by nature a placid and timid individual, conservative and cautious and always keen to avoid confrontation. He always knew that this decision of loyalty would have to be faced and made at some point, and our Holy Father had been tussling with this dilemma ever since the day of his election. Now he was venting all that emotion and frustration that had built up in him over the past years of anguish.

I instinctively clasped my hands together in front of me, lowered my head, and asked our Lord for his mercy, strength and guidance to be given to our Holy Father in this his hour of need and tribulation. The others in the room joined with me in this silent and spontaneous prayer of support.

Very slowly the Pope began to regain his composure and I would like to think that our silent prayer of support had been answered and He had given to our Holy Father the strength he needed to get through this trial. Taking a sip of water from the goblet in front of him, and clearing his throat, the Holy Father began to give his account of the meeting with William of Nogaret. The Lord’s hand was now seeming
to provide him with both the strength and direction he had so desperately called for, as the Pope now began to speak with purpose and a quiet determination.