Chinon Parchment absolves the Knights Templar

[Kraggenmor]

In a cold case file dating back 700 years, a parchment recently found to have been 'mis-filed' absolves the Knights Templars of heresy.

[I of the Storm]

Interesting, although it won't change much, even retrospectively. It makes the actions of the pope even worse, since he knew and had an inquisitorial expertise that they weren't heretics.

[Alex D]

This is very interesting. Pondering this it makes me wonder how many other 'misfiled' documents the Vatican has. Not only the Vatican, but archeological societies, universities, study groups...it makes me wonder more than anything just how truely 'representative' the history we learn really is. As an example, one might extrapolate that if a document was found, and it was verifiably bona fide, lets say concerning Jesus, or Muhammad, or Buddha and said document in some way disproved or altered our perception of these individuals, arguably this would be earth shaking for billions of people of these faiths.
Also I'm curious(no conspiracy theory here) why at this point in time was this document found? Seems very coincidental to the controversy re: the Davinci Code etc. Or is there something else in the Catholic/Christian world going on that I'm not aware of, but the Papacy/Vatican is?
Just some random, and not too coherent thoughts...
Cheers
Alex

[Mithrandir]

Moved to Monastery.

[Gurkhal]

This is very interesting. Pondering this it makes me wonder how many other 'misfiled' documents the Vatican has. Not only the Vatican, but archeological societies, universities, study groups...it makes me wonder more than anything just how truely 'representative' the history we learn really is. As an example, one might extrapolate that if a document was found, and it was verifiably bona fide, lets say concerning Jesus, or Muhammad, or Buddha and said document in some way disproved or altered our perception of these individuals, arguably this would be earth shaking for billions of people of these faiths.

While its certainly possible for individual documents to have been misplaced, I belive this would concern with uncomfertible details, rather than something which would actually change history to some large degree. Also I don't think that the images of such iconic figures as Jesus, Muhammad or Buddha would be easily altered by one text or another found again. They're to well rooted in many peoples' view of the world and in theology to be so easily influenced by the outside.

Also I'm curious(no conspiracy theory here) why at this point in time was this document found? Seems very coincidental to the controversy re: the Davinci Code etc. Or is there something else in the Catholic/Christian world going on that I'm not aware of, but the Papacy/Vatican is?

I agree that it's probably lots of stuff, but I doubt it to be anything world-shattering which have been hidden away in some archives. Seems almost a bit to novel-like to me.

[AntiochusIII]

Eh, I thought it was common knowledge that the Templars were set up because Philip IV was feeling annoyed.

You know, stuff like his being broke and the Templars being filthy rich; that he was centralizing and the Templars were owning lands in France and not at all inclined to "return" them to the French King, etc.

The whole "they're satanists" I never took seriously really. Although this document does perhaps add to the knowledge of the "case" and the players in it. Sounds like the Pope was trying to save the Templars. Natural, considering that Philip's iron grip on Rome's policy wasn't likely to be very comforting.