The Templars' Last Days (9 page)

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 Orders survived whilst at the same time remaining faithful to their oaths of allegiance to the Pope.

After hearing these comments, the Pope raised his hand slightly to gesture Giles to break off from his report, and enquired if there was not another way. For the path the Knight Templars had agreed to, represented to our Holy Father the ultimate sacrifice that a man could make, never mind a complete organisation of many thousands. Our Holy Father was still hesitant at the proposed plan of the two Orders for he knew he would have to carry the burden of agreeing to this decision on his conscience for eternity.

Giles reassured the Holy Father that every single Templar Knight was prepared to lay down their life to protect the Church, and each and every single Templar Knight would be happy and fulfilled if he were to die in battle with a sword in his hand, surrounded by the bodies of his infidel enemies, in the defence of such. However, no Templar Knight would wish to knowingly raise his sword in anger against any Christian Monarch or his Knights.

He further tried to placate the concerns that were disturbing the Pope by pointing out to him that, in the minds of the Knight Templars, war takes many shapes and comes in many different disguises; the important thing today was to agree the best course of action to protect your Holiness, the Holy relics of the Church and for every Knight Templar to be true to their oath.

Our Pope dwelt on the persuasive argument for some moments before seeming to reluctantly accept this response and with his head bowed slightly forward, his arms stretched out before him, he gestured with his hands for Giles to continue.

With his business now completed in Cyprus, our Grand Master then sailed on a Templar ship back to La Rochelle. He was accompanied by a small detachment of Templar Knights and the cargo of silver and gold he had acquired, which would represent part of the Knight Templars’ contribution towards the financing of the new Crusade.

Although it would be a short voyage from Cyprus to La Rochelle, it provided the Grand Master with some peaceful days away from the normal daily pressures which he faced when on land, in having to manage his enormous organisation. The sea journey also gave him time to reflect on the agreed arrangement with the Knights of St. John. He could not help but ask himself if this really was the best solution. He went over and over in his mind all the other options, again and again, but no matter which alternative plan he thought of, none seemed as resolute, effective or as pragmatic as the one that he had now agreed with Foulques.

The morning tide brought the Templar ship carrying the Grand Master and the valuable cargo into the safe free port harbour of La Rochelle, the early sunshine bringing the very best out of this busy port, which was dominated by the towers of the Vauclair Castle. As always there were a large number of ships moving in and out of the harbour, so another Templar vessel docking would simply blend into the normal humdrum of the daily life of the port.

Being safely back on French soil again only served to strengthen the resolve and determination of the Grand Master to ensure that the agreed plan was now successfully carried through to the bitter end. Impatiently he and his Templar Knights watched as the valuable cargo was unloaded from the depths of the cog onto the waiting carriages, which would transport the crates of gold and silver to its final destination.

Given the large volume of crates, the unloading took what was left of the morning and the best part of the afternoon. The treasure had been loaded into manageable-sized crates, some six feet long, by two feet wide and three feet deep. This had the advantage of being easier for handling and storing whilst on board. It also meant that each crate could be unloaded by four men quite easily and be packed on the back of the awaiting carriages without any difficulty.

The chaotic nature and tempo of the daily activity, which surrounded him on the quayside, served to entertain the Grand Master as he impatiently waited and watched the crates being unloaded from the coq and onto the awaiting carts. The haggling between the fishermen and the traders of fish, ensured that there was plenty for him to observe and muse upon. How do they know what each fish is worth or not, was a problem which served to distract the mind of the Grand Master for a short time and helped him to forget the stress and strain he had been under.

It was the sound of music, accompanied by drunken singing coming from the dockside inns, which now began to dominate the ears as the morning turned into early afternoon and the haggling of the traders began to taper off. What was the overwhelming smell of fish, now began to compete with the aromas of strong ale, rum and the pleasing aroma of beef being barbecued, which led the Grand Master to believe that the task of unloading must be now nearly complete.

Jacques was aware that by now his docking at La Rochelle and the unpacking of these crates would not have gone unnoticed by the many agents whom King Philip had in every town, and this was exactly what the Grand Master was depending on. As much as the Grand Master was impatient for this operation to be completed, he also wanted to make certain that the King's spies and agents knew what was happening. So as frustrating as it would be, he had instructed the crew to go about their task slowly and deliberately so as to make sure that their actions could not be missed.

Each carriage was drawn by two work horses, and the Templar crew were instructed not to overload any one carriage. Once the carriage reached what was considered to be its optimum load, then a canvas cover was thrown over the top and secured on all sides so that the crates were hidden from view

Eventually the 12 carriages were loaded and secured. With Jacques leading the convoy, the carriages and the escort of Templar Knights headed for the security of the Templar preceptory situated on the outskirts of La Rochelle. It was only a short journey from the quayside to the preceptory, so Jacques ensured he created as much pomp as the circumstances would allow. Once safely inside the walls of the Temple, and to leave nothing to chance, Jacques sent a messenger to both the Paris preceptory and to King Philip, that both he and the treasure would be at the Notre-Dame Cathedral in four days’ time, in the early afternoon, for a service of thanksgiving.

Next morning, our Grand Master led the convoy and its outriders out of the Temple walls and started the journey to Paris. As was usual when our Grand Master travelled across these lands, the local villagers would line the roads to greet him with offers of wine and other refreshments. Whilst this was always well received by Jacques it did slow his progress down; however, on this occasion he welcomed the attention, for he knew that King Philip would be receiving news of his progress.

The convoy reached the Parisian Preceptory in the late afternoon of the third day of travelling from La Rochelle. Once the whole convoy was within the safety of the Preceptory walls, the Grand Master lost no time in checking that the arrangements he had instructed for the next day’s procession to Notre-Dame were in place and ready. Only when he had satisfied himself that all was as it should be, did Jacques finally retire to his quarters.

It must have been a most magnificent sight to behold both for King Philip and all of Paris as our Grand Master led his Knight Templars the short distance across the Marais which led from the Templar preceptory to Notre-Dame, the procession making its way to the square in front of the Notre-Dame Cathedral.

Jacques had organised some 60 Templar Knights to act as bodyguards for the convoy of the 12 carriages which were carrying the treasure so as to create the maximum visual impact. The Grand Master headed a vanguard of 12 Templar Knights, who rode four abreast in three columns. Behind them, in single file, came the 12 carriages, still under the protection of the canvas cover. Each carriage was protected to the left and right side by an accompanying Templar Knight, and the rear of this magnificent convoy was brought up by another 24 Templar Knights, again riding four abreast, in six columns.

Our Grand Master had ensured that each Templar Knight, despite the heat of the day, wore his full battle attire. He himself wore his unmistakable Bascinet which was inlaid with gold and several precious stones as a mark of his rank. Each Templar Knight wore their own personalised and highly polished Bascinet, and their snow white mantel, adorned by the red cross.

Those on the left of the colony carried their oversized white shields and battle lance in their left arm, whilst those on the right of the colony bore their shield and lance on their right arm. The knights in the middle of the columns carried the Beauseant of the Templars, which expanded to their full glory when caught by the breeze that blew across the convoy.

Each of the Templar Knights' horses were dressed in a plain white caparison with only a red cross as decoration.

Such a sight of a troop of Knight Templars, in full fighting attire, their Bascinets, swords and lances reflecting and dazzling the onlooker with the sun’s rays, the Beauseants flying high and their horses in full war dress, was designed to bring fear and terror into the heart of any enemy. Today, however, this demonstration was designed to impress the Parisian population, but, at the same time and, more importantly, to remind the King of what power the Knight Templars still possessed.

As Jacques de Molay led the convoy into the square, the vast crowds screamed and shouted enthusiastically in their support of the Knight Templars, with a frenzied display of the love they held for them. This was in complete contrast to the cold and frosty reception Jacques received from King Philip who was waiting impatiently at the front of the Cathedral, for he was filled with envy and greed at the ease with which such a vast fortune as this had been accumulated by Jacques. He wanted this fortune and he wanted it soon. In fact he wanted it all and would not rest until he had it.

Nevertheless the public face of the King meant that this private ambition must be quelled and remain hidden until the time was right, and so he feigned a warm welcome to the Grand Master before they turned and walked side by side into the majestic Cathedral to give thanks for the safe deliverance of this precious cargo.

As they entered through the imposing doors to the Cathedral, the noise of the excited crowd began to be swallowed up by the quiet and serenity of this magnificent house of God. The entrance of the two most powerful men in France walking side by side into this house of God must have made an everlasting impression on everybody in the congregation. For the King was in his finest Royal attire and wearing one of his many ceremonial crowns, whilst at his side Jacques de Molay was wearing his full Knight Templar attire but was now carrying his Bascinet. Their entrance was announced by the sound of the Cathedral Choir breaking into song and cutting through the silence that had previously prevailed.