Interesting article concerning how the Medieval people viewed Monastic orders like Knights Templar and Knights St. John.
http://www.historytoday.com/helen-ni...edieval-europe
Printable View
Interesting article concerning how the Medieval people viewed Monastic orders like Knights Templar and Knights St. John.
http://www.historytoday.com/helen-ni...edieval-europe
An interesting read, haven't gone through all of it yet. The information is conflicting and it depends on whom you ask (or would have asked back then). In general, it's humans being human, trying to outdo one another in who gets more power and control, and with a few noble hearted men thrown in the mix.
I think you are hitting the nail right to the head. Like you said. Everyone had their motives and point of views and their attitudes stem from those, just like we humans have a habit to do.:yes:Quote:
Originally Posted by Myth
I'm surprised that the article did not mention the politics of the accusations made in 1307 that led to the Templars' downfall. The Templars owned almost as much land in France as the king did, which must have been very annoying to an ambitious man like King Philip IV. If I remember my history correctly, he arranged for their arrest, he arranged for the charges brought against them, and forced his reluctant captive pope to destroy the order. In one move he broke a powerful rival in his own kingdom, almost doubled his territory by confiscating their land, and possibly got out of having to repay loans the Templars had given him. (I'm not sure if he owed them money or not.)
I'd say that gives pretty good reason to question if even their accusors believed the charges against the Templars (except the ones that were not new, of course.)
Philip IV owed money to everyone. The charges were spurious and were a money grab.
The debtor grabbed the bank and confiscated the cash.
Hmm... As far as heresy goes, they were in possession of forbidden knowledge (the "mystery religions"). You can see that the modern day Scottish Right Freemasonry and other such organizations are very esoteric in nature, their rituals and knowledge would be deemed heretical in that time.
That was a charge made by a king and not a very pious king at that. Not the Pope, though he was forced into it.
Not every country outlawed them, which shows most knew what was going on.
Remember the church was very much into some esoteric fields at the time too. This was the excuse not the motive.
I agree completely.Quote:
Originally Posted by Fisherking
Not a bad trick, but I don't think I'd get away with it. :laugh4:Quote:
Originally Posted by Fisherking