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From Jerusalem to Rosslyn?: The Templars in Scotland |
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The Temple was awarded land all over Europe.
Templar Statue - Scott Monument
© Scran |
The Templars were also given various privileges by secular and ecclesiastical rulers exempting them from various taxes and contributing to the growing wealth and power of the order. From 1139, the Templars were answerable only to the Pope, and not to any intermediary. They were trusted by nobles and Kings to provide counsel and to protect riches and treasure and also lent money, often to royalty. Paris Temple became a key European financial centre. Despite the high esteem in which they were held by many, the wealth and power of the Templars led to envy and resentment from many quarters, and the secrecy surrounding the order bred suspicion.
In 1307, Philip the Fair of France ordered the arrest of the Knights Templar in France after allegations of heresy and impropriety. His motives are likely to have been primarily financial. Philip had proposed a merger between the Templars and a rival order, the Hospitallers, which he would command and pass on the leadership to one of his sons. This move was opposed by the Templars, who were not keen to cede either their power or their money. The accusations of blasphemy against the Templars gave Philip a chance to act. Once arrested, the Templars were tortured, and nearly all confessed to a series of allegations including denying Christ, sodomy, and the worship of a demon called Baphomet. Philip persuaded the Pope to issue orders to arrest all members of the order, not just those in France. In 1312, the order was formally dissolved by the Pope. Although most of the Templars who had confessed and repented were pardoned, several retracted their confessions, including the Grand Master, Jacques de Molay. These relapsi were handed over to the secular authorities, and burned at the stake.
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