Re: [HoE] Templars

[Derek Carmichael <dcarmichael@apple.com>]

>
>The Church (as my text books and several History Channel shows say)
>attempted to have the leaders brought to justice (church justice) because
>the inter-circle of Timplars were magic using witches (according to the
>church of course), the fact that the Timplar's banking made most of the
>wealthy of Europe owe them, as well as the fact they held (or held ransom
>according to the church) some of the most cherished church items (the Holy
>Grail, Arc of the Covennet, etc.). The main strong-hold of the Knights
>Timplar was sacked as a small group of Timplar fled with the artifacts and
>papers as the rest died fighting the church.
>
>The Fuzy quiet one in the corner...
>

If memory serves, the Templars were not brought to justice by the Church,
but were imprisoned by King Phillip the *cough, cough*some number*cough*
who many historians believe wanted their money/lands.  To seize church
property without a very legitimate reason (for the times, of course) would
be blasphemous.  The church was upset by their power, and the lack of
control by the church over the Templars, so they didn't oppose Phillip (not
that they could have).  The arrested Templars were tortured until they
admitted their supposed heresy.  Leaders were executed.  Rank and file were
often released (after the torture part of course).  

I'll look up the author, but a book I highly recommend on the Templars is
titled: The Murdered Magicians.  The author presented many points of view
while giving a "good telling" of their overall history.  There are several
other books, but the names escape me.... 

Later,

Derek