October 13, 1307 – The Destruction of the Templars by Luisa Zambrotta

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On Friday, October 13th, 1307, King Philip IV of France  ordered Grand Master Jacques de Molay and hundreds  of French Templars to be simultaneously arrested. They were charged with heresy, idolatry, corruption and other crimes against the church. Many of the Templars were tortured into confessing their crimes and then killed. Others were killed for refusing to confess.

Jacques DeMolay  did not capitulate and was burned at the stake. In 2007 the Vatican issued a proclamation declaring the Templars innocent of their alleged crimes.

The Knights Templar ( the Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Christ and of the Temple of Solomon in Latin: Pauperes commilitones Christi Templique Salomonici),  were a religious order of unmarried men, formed around A.D. 1119 to defend the Kingdom of Jerusalem and protect Christian pilgrims during the Crusades. Over the next two centuries, many Christians donated their land and their money to the order  making the knights powerful financiers. Their houses, churches and farms dotted the countryside throughout Europe  providing employment for thousands of people. They started an international banking system that allowed nobles to deposit funds and valuables for safekeeping and they occasionally helped to finance wars until 1307, when the French King Philip IV,  deeply in debt to the order for the money received  to finance a war with England ordered to arrest all of them and to seize their property.

The standard accusation against political enemies in the early 14th century was to accuse them of being involved in heresy or magic, and Philip IV chose heresy. It was the King of France, not Pope Clement V, who accused them of that crime! Later, the Pope disbanded the order

Some  pseudo-historians like to think there was a conspiracy theory: the Templars were doing something the church didn’t like, and for this reason the Pope dispersed them

It all happened on Friday the 13th : that’s why this date  has been associated with bad luck for centuries.

38 respuestas a “October 13, 1307 – The Destruction of the Templars by Luisa Zambrotta”

  1. Avatar de gabychops

    Thank you, dear Luisa, for your erudite and interesting history of the depths of human depravity and the destruction of the Templars.

    Joanna

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    1. Avatar de luisa zambrotta

      Thank you kindly, dear Joanna.

      It’s always a pleasure to receive your appreciation!

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      1. Avatar de gabychops

        You are more than welcome, dear Luisa!

        Joanna

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      2. Avatar de luisa zambrotta

        🙏💐🙏

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  2. Avatar de richardbist

    An excellent piece of writing, Luisa. I was obsessed with the Knights Templar many years ago and read a wonderful book about them, Dungeon, Fire and Sword, by John J. Robison. It provided a great deal of insight into their formation, their deeds during the Crusades, and their eventual disbanding.

    I found it sad that hundreds of years later, the Church would finally decide to declare them innocent of their crimes. That doesn’t erase the pain they suffered.

    Now I feel the need to find and re-read that book!

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    1. Avatar de luisa zambrotta

      I’m so glad you shared your valuable thoughts.

      Your feedback is always appreciated, and I can’t thank you enough.

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  3. Avatar de Priscilla Bettis

    How terrible of Philip IV to persecute the Templars because of political/financial struggles. All that suffering, so sad! Your posts are always so informative.

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    1. Avatar de luisa zambrotta

      Thank you so much my dear Priscilla.

      I am incredibly grateful for the observations you shared.

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  4. Avatar de luisa zambrotta

    Thanks a lot, my dear Juan!

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  5. Avatar de Teagan Riordain Geneviene

    Thanks for this post, Luisa. Long ago I learned of the Knights Templar (I learned of them partly because of my interest in the number 13). Even without the tragic end, I found them unaccountably fascinating. But such a gruesome, unnecessary end… It was a barbaric, utterly vicious era. Yet sometimes I can’t help wondering if we’re headed back to those times.
    Thanks, Juan for hosting. Big hugs to you both.

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    1. Avatar de luisa zambrotta

      Thank you so much for your warm appreciation.
      I completely agree with you about the fear you express at the end of your precious comment, dear Teagan.

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  6. […] October 13, 1307 – The Destruction of the Templars by Luisa Zambrotta […]

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  7. Avatar de equipsblog

    Really enjoyed this history, Luisa. Reminds me of the current Revenge and Retaliation Tour in the US, where reality has nothing to do with either Revenge or the Retaliation.

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    1. Avatar de luisa zambrotta

      Thank you so much, dear Pat.

      I always appreciate your kind presence and great reflections

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      1. Avatar de equipsblog

        Carissima, you are always to kind and generous

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      2. Avatar de luisa zambrotta

        🙏🫶🙏

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      3. Avatar de equipsblog

        💞🥰💕(⁠◍⁠•⁠ᴗ⁠•⁠◍⁠)⁠❤

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  8. Avatar de ourcrossings

    This is such a sad history of the Knights Templar, dear Luisa. I was always fascinated by the Knights of the Templar because they were a combination of a spiritual order and elite warriors whose original purpose was to protect pilgrims in the Holy Land.  Thanks for sharing, and have a good day 🙂 Aiva xx

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    1. Avatar de luisa zambrotta

      Thank you very much for expressing your appreciation and adding your observations, dear Aiva  🙏🙏🙏

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  9. Avatar de kagould17

    A wonderful history lesson of how many unscrupulous leaders choose to get rid of those they fear will become too powerful. Also, thanks for the Friday the 13th explanation. Have a great day Luisa. Allan

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    1. Avatar de luisa zambrotta

      Thank you so much, Allan!

      Your observation and words of support are very much appreciated! 😊

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  10. Avatar de Easymalc

    It wouldn’t surprise me if a 21st century re-incarnation of the order re-emerged. 💙

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    1. Avatar de luisa zambrotta

      Thank you so much, dear malc

      Your observation is really interesting and appreciated! 😊

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  11. Avatar de Klausbernd

    Dear Luisa

    A historically correct version of the end of the Templars, you’ll find in
    «The World at First Light» by Bernd Roeck (a scientific book about the Renaissance and the time before and after).

    Fortunately, we have Friday the 17th.

    We wish you a wonderful weekend
    The Fab Four of Cley
    🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

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    1. Avatar de luisa zambrotta

      Thanks a lot for your suggestion and your appreciation!

      Happy weekend to you too

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  12. Avatar de Monkey's Tale

    The selective history telling their horrific deeds and not their honourable ones shows how much power the church had (has). I also didn’t realize that they were related to the Friday the 13th fear. Maggie

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    1. Avatar de luisa zambrotta

      Thank you so much my dear Maggie!

      I’m glad you enjoyed this post and I’m infinitely grateful for your wise reflection!

      I wish you a wonderful weekend 🥰💐

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  13. Avatar de robertawrites235681907

    Thank you, Luisa, for this interesting account of the Templars.

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    1. Avatar de luisa zambrotta

      Thank you so much for appreciating this post 🌹

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      1. Avatar de robertawrites235681907

        🙏💓

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  14. Avatar de Mary K. Doyle

    I don’t know as much about the Templars as I’d like to, so thank you for this post, Luisa.

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    1. Avatar de luisa zambrotta

      As always I thank you for your warm appreciation, dear Mary 💖

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  15. Avatar de thomasstigwikman

    Like so much back then, this certainly was a great injustice. I can add that my dad used to be a member of the modern Knights Templar in Sweden. You explained this history very well. It was an interesting read.

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    1. Avatar de luisa zambrotta

      I am glad you liked my post and made that precious addition

      Thank you so much for your heartfelt words, dear Thoma!

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      1. Avatar de thomasstigwikman

        Thank you so much Luisa

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      2. Avatar de luisa zambrotta

        You’re more than welcome!

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  16. Avatar de Willie Torres Jr.
    Willie Torres Jr.

    I’ve always been fascinated by the Templars. Their faith, courage, and unwavering devotion to Christ. Their story still stirs something deep within me. I often wonder if they’re still among us today, maybe under a different name or purpose. Whatever others say, I see them as men who carried a powerful faith that time could never destroy. ⚔️🛡️🦁🦊🤗

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  17. Avatar de Resa

    Thank you Luisa!

    This is a terrific piece of history I didn’t know about.

    Thank you to j re crivello, for sharing this!

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