before the uncoming day of the Templars
Reader comment on item: Knights Templar Trial Records Made Public – After Seven Centuries

Submitted by Frank (Netherlands), Feb 7, 2008 at 17:16

Interesting that this historical document has turned up. People however tend to forget however that history is writen by the victors. There were many events and political developments in the years before 13 october 1307 that made clear that the position of the Templar organisation was in peril.

In 1304 for example the Jews in France were expropriated and expelled from the lands of king Philip. In 1306 Pope Bonifacius was removed from power in coupe organised by king Philip. Philip challenged the worldly authority of the Pope (residing in Avignon, France) and the financial position of the Catholic Church. In dire need for funds to expand his empire and financing new wars he was already in debt by both rich Jews and the Templars.

Pope Bonifacius was a strong defender of the Templars and in constant conflict with king Philip. By removing this foe and replacing him with a Pope that he could control (Clement) an environment was created in which Philip and his government of civil servants (the first bureaucracy composed of people who rose through the ranks on merit and not on birthright) could prepare the dismantlement of the Templar organisation. If there was a conspiracy, then this is the one.

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