Sunday, February 24, 2019

What were the results of the inquisition ordered by King Philip IV and Pope Clement V against the Knights Templar?

Effectively, the reason Philip IV ordered this inquisition was money. The Knights Templar had become the world’s first proper bank, enormously wealthy and shrouded in secrecy. This led many to be both jealous and suspicious of how these riches had been accumulated. As a monastic order, the knights might have been expected to live humble lives; as they were seemingly not behaving like a monastic order, Philip attempted to tax them. When they refused, they were charged with heresy, black magic, sodomy and other heinous charges.
The resulting inquisition completely wiped out the huge order. It was more than slightly illegal; Philip had to effectively maneuvered Pope Boniface out of his position as he did not condone the inquisition, and even Clement was surprised when Philip began proceedings without consulting him. However, he supported Philip and ordered the arrest of all Templars and the confiscation of their lands for the church. Many Templars were burned at the stake until the leaders of the order confessed to all charges under torture. The Templars would never reform openly.

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