TEMPLAR SOURCES 1309


TS1309.08.07 - 7 August, 1309, Avignon. - Pope Clement V to the King Henry [VII]: informs him: [1] When he was created pope he already heard that from the outside the Templars would be fighting under the mantle of religion, but inside would live in apostasy and heresy, but he did not believe it, given the reputation of the Order and its fight for the conquest, maintenance and defence of the Holy Land. [2] Then King Philippe of France heard that some brethren would deny Christ when entering the Order, adore an idol in the chapters and do other nefarious things, and he ordered to imprison all brethren on one day following the query of the inquisitor for his kingdom authorized by the apostolic see and the advice of his prelates and barons. Now the master has confessed publicly out of free will the denial of Christ at the profession. So did many other brethren in France, as he has been informed by the king, and a knight has confirmed in front of the pope. [3] The pope asks and admonishes him to get all the Templars in his kingdom imprisoned on one day and to confiscate their properties for which inventaries shall be made. These properties should be carefully administered in case the Templars are proven innocent. [4] He had already written to king Albrecht, Henry's predecessor, but he died before he could receive concrete orders. Inc. Pastoralis premintie solio. (Pisa AS 1309 agosto 7, Roncioni 610, original parchment, seal lost / MGH Constitutiones 4,1, no. 300, pp. 265-67 / Regesta Imperii, VI, 4, 1, no. 247)

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