BBC News-London

The Knights Templar, a military order of the Roman Catholic Church, are back in the news again, almost 700 years after they were suppressed by papal edict.

They were originally formed to protect Christians in the Holy Land during the early Crusades.

The Templars are the stuff of legend, and their exploits have provided the plots for many films and popular novels.

The Knights, who wore a distinctive white mantle decorated with a red cross, became very wealthy, owned property all over Europe and the Middle East, and started up a primitive international banking system.

They caused deep controversy, even in their own time. They helped to finance wars waged by several European monarchs.

Some believe the Templars were the custodians of the fabled Holy Grail.

Disentangling fact and fiction about them is difficult.

In France, a Grand Master of the Order and other knights were burned alive by order of King Philip IV, after the Order was accused of heresy, blasphemy and sexual misconduct.

Faithful reproduction

Now the Vatican has decided to shed some new light on this often obscure period of late medieval history.

To the delight not only of scholars but also of Templar buffs around the world, who have been captivated by Dan Brown's stories, they are publishing facsimile reproductions of the original account in Latin of the investigation and trial into the alleged misdeeds of the Knights Templar. It took place in Rome between 1307 and 1312.

The document, known as the Chinon parchment, shows that Pope Clement V found the Templars not guilty of heresy, but guilty of other lesser infractions of Church law. Nonetheless he ordered the disbandment of the order.

The Vatican's Secret Archives, one of the world's great repositories of historical documents, is selling a limited edition of 800 numbered copies of the Chinon parchment.

It is printed on synthetic parchment, comes complete with a reproduction of the original papal wax seal, and is packaged in a soft leather case together with a scholarly commentary.

Each copy will cost just over 5,900 euros ($8,000; £3,925).http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7044741.stm

What amazes me about this story is that this MS has been known about for quite some time - even quoted in the past. But because of its ambiguous title it was never clear just how important this parchment is to Templar history and so was shelved in that Black Hole known as the Vatican Library.

Of course I have yet to read it - anyone got about 6 thousand Euros I can borrow? But if I recall it will explain how Pope Clement V actually absolved the Templars of heresy due to confessions brought about by torture. Which, at this time (pre-inquisition) was not considered admissible in Papal, English and several other courts.

In fact during one of the trials, tortured Templars would bring in bags of small bones that fell from their feet - from having them cooked over fire. It was only during extreme torment that the knights mentioned spitting on the cross, and woshiping "Baphomet" (either a pagan god or a corruption of Mohammed).

However Clement was essentially at the mercy of Philipe IV and even though this parchment only condemns them on church infractions - such as meeting in secret at night (IIRC), Clement was a puppet and the rest sadly, is history.

I hope the Vatican can find the time to print the "paperback" version for the rest of us armchair scholars. 800 Collector editions is not even enough for major school libraries to have a copy.

Dear Jesus Justin,
This all reminds me of the witch trials. I read a strange book a friend of mine's father had from 100 years ago (My friend is 77). There were true stories and incidents in it, oh God. The people that were suspected were tied to ladders that would be sent upwards and let to smash down breaking their backs somehow., anyways they had to give up 10 other people even if they werent witches. This guy had special books, he was a diplomat and killed later by the mafia--it was all a conspiracy to get rid of people that could threaten them or who were spiritually inclined.

I couldn't help but paraphrase Monty Python since their methods were about as scientific as those used in the Middle Ages. Trial by ordeal - what a scary thought. I think I remember hearing that there was a group trying to gather funds for a memorial for all those persecuted by witch trials and the inquisition.

As you know I'm from Mass. and this time of year I can't get near Salem, the so-called "Witch city". Not because I have anything against neo-paganism and the reemergence of Wicca, but the commercialism.

I find it dishonerable that a city profits from such a horrible acts and then calls itself the city of witches - when they basicaly murdered 19 innocent people and imprisoned dozens more. If anything Salem should be the city of Martyrs - none of the executed practised witchcraft.

And while I'm on my soapbox (I'm in the offtopic section right?) I don't know how Salem's neighboring town of Danvers can stand it all. Considering Danvers was once known as Salem Village and was the actual location where these events started.

Jesus Justin!? Don't worry jacqueline I am very much a heretic :D

I'm very interested in the Templars too, Jacqueline and Justin. All the myths about the Holy Grail and the Shroud of Turin, etc. are so fascinating. I didn't think much of Dan Brown's book though, but I certainly like all the history and myths.

Lisa

Hi there daydreambeliever,

The Templars are one of those subjects in history that immediatley grabs your attention. Partly because when looking back at history, most things seem to pan out in hindsight - at least in most historians minds. However the Templar story is not so cut-and-dried and so even the experts don't always agree on the details. And that is partly why we are still talking about them today.

In fact Dan Brown picked a pretty easy target and wrote a bestseller using "facts" lifted from Alternative History books from the last 50 years - From Gerard de Sede to Lynn Picknett. All he did was add a cheesy detective story on top of all these other tales that have been around for some time.

I admit I actually enjoyed reading the DaVinci code the first time around. The short chapters helped it become a "page turner". Then I read Angels and Deamons and realized that it's the same freakin' book. And then I glossed over his two previous novels - junk.

I can only imagine what he has in store for his "long awaited" novel about the Freemasons called the Solomon Key. Wait, don't tell me - Langdon gets the girl and saves the day in the nick of time...give me a break:rolleyes:

I admit I actually enjoyed reading the DaVinci code the first time around. The short chapters helped it become a "page turner". Then I read Angels and Deamons and realized that it's the same freakin' book.
++

(two words: Umberto Eco)

As for the templars, their most important contribution was a reliable european banking system. Reminds me of a certain country established in the middle of Europe during the 1300s. Mountains provide better protection from Frenchmen.

On the other hand I find it highly amusing that the Vatican still enjoys such extraordinaire privilegies from the Italian nation. But italian politics is probably something I shouldn't get started on here.

Personally, I hope the actual text will be released into Public Domain, instead of the Church trying to capitalize on this ancient tragedy yet over again by solely selling overpriced 'limited edition' copies.

All these institutions were ever good for was for making money for themselves anyways, they havent changed. The timing is just right now and they know it, (theyve waited) to let a "little something" out to excite the public. They are politicians and greedy manipulators. Imagine what other mounts of junk they've been hiding from us...in their dark instituitions.

Oh yes, it is all just to make money, and nobody had raked in more cash than the Catholic Church. From my tiny little glimpse of what goes on behind those walls it is nothing but a business - and most of the powerful cardinals are either in it for the money, are born into money but want power, or have resigned themselves to realizing that this is what goes on and don't fight it. Anyone who is genuinely pious is kept out of positions of power, and anyone who speaks out against policy is sent to the farthest corners of the earth.

An example: If a rich or powerful Cardinal speaks out against policy or is accused of criminal acts (see Bernard Law), he is usually brought to Rome and given a cushy job - like running Santa Maria Maggiore. However if a less powerful Cardinal or worse, one withoug a family fortune does something wrong they send him to some distant monastery to live out his days in pennance.

As far as the Vatican Library - don't get me started on that den of thieves. A friend of mine was doing research there, using a very rare book from the 15th c. Well someone must have taken notice since the next day they told her that the book did not exist when she tried to retrieve it again. Paranoia? Or was there something in that book that was dangerous?