Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Suppression Of The Templars In England.
He had nothing to confess at first ; but four days after , when his acquaintance with the Abbot of Lagny had been improved , he confessed very freely that the Templars denied Christ , and compelled all who entered their Order to do so , aud to spit upon the Cross . The third , a priest of the Order , dreading probably what the other had suffered , declared that he had been made to deny Christ . This was the most that could be found against the Order in England
, and under these frivolous accusations the Knights were kept for several years immured in prison , subjected from time to time to vexatious examinations , while their property was confiscated and their Order was destroyed . It must have been some consolation to them in their great trials to hear that , after long investigations in Italy , nothing had been brought home to the prejudice of the Order , and that in each of the kingdoms of Spain the acquittal of the Order
was solemn and complete . In England it can hardly be said to have been either condemned or acquitted . All those Templars who submitted themselves ancl made some sort of confession were absolved , but those who , conscious of innocence , refused to do this , were condemned to perpetual confinement in monasteries . This sentence was passed by the Provincial Synod or Convocation of Canterbury , in July , 1311 . Previously to its passing , the
commissioners had made their report to the Pope , ancl Bishop Dalderby had , in accordance with what is stated above , reported that he had been able to investigate the matter but little , but that he must be held to concur in the reports of his colleagues . The Bishop was evidently still impressed with the desire to have as little as possible to do with a process which he could not heartily approve . From further entries in his register we are able to throw some light
on the ultimate destination of the Templars ancl the special arrangements made for them in the monasteries to which they were consigned . The letter of Robert Winchelsea , Archbishop of Canterbury , giving the general command to all abbots and monasteries who should be selected to receive Templars to do so , ran as follows :
Robert , by Divine permission Archbishop of Canterbury , to all Abbots and Priors , thenchapters and convents , exempt and not exempt , throughout our Province , greeting . Inasmuch as the most holy father in Christ , the Lord Clement , by Divine Providence Pope , has commanded us aud our suffragans by his letters apostolical to make inquiry concerning divers articles of heretical gravity , charged against certain persons of the Order of Knighthood of the Temple in our Province , and brought here before us ; and that , after inquiry duly made touching the said brethren , we should in our Provincial Council pronounce on the said brethren a sentence of absolution or condemnation as justice required . And inasmuch as to the matter
of the aforesaid inquiry we have by the apostolical authority , and by that of our whole Provincial Council , ordained the several persons to perform a certain penance , and for that purpose to be constrained to enter certain monasteries selected for that purpose until it shall be otherwise ordained . You , therefore , all and singular , we command by our apostolic authority , and by that of our whole Council , and by virtue of your obedience , and under the sentences of suspension , excommunication , and interdict to be fulminated against you and your monasteries , if ye shall not do what we command , that ye in whose monasteries we shall have decreed the said persons to be confined should admit those persons readiland treat them kindland
y y minister to them the necessaries of life as we and your Diocesans ordain . Por which the Lord King of England has granted for each person fourpence per day . But if ye shall refuse to obey , we have strictly commanded our venerable brethren , your Diocesans , by other letters , that as well against you the exempt ( who notwithstanding your privileges , are specially bound to ^ obey us in this matter ) as against you , the non-exempt and your monasteries , they should without delay promulgate canonically the ecclesiastical censures , and proceed according to the canonical sanctions . But concerning the manner in whicb we have decreed the said to
persons be iept and the penance to be performed by them , ye shall be informed by your Diocesans or their vicars . Given in our Council iu London , July 15 th , 1311 . ( To be continued . )
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Suppression Of The Templars In England.
He had nothing to confess at first ; but four days after , when his acquaintance with the Abbot of Lagny had been improved , he confessed very freely that the Templars denied Christ , and compelled all who entered their Order to do so , aud to spit upon the Cross . The third , a priest of the Order , dreading probably what the other had suffered , declared that he had been made to deny Christ . This was the most that could be found against the Order in England
, and under these frivolous accusations the Knights were kept for several years immured in prison , subjected from time to time to vexatious examinations , while their property was confiscated and their Order was destroyed . It must have been some consolation to them in their great trials to hear that , after long investigations in Italy , nothing had been brought home to the prejudice of the Order , and that in each of the kingdoms of Spain the acquittal of the Order
was solemn and complete . In England it can hardly be said to have been either condemned or acquitted . All those Templars who submitted themselves ancl made some sort of confession were absolved , but those who , conscious of innocence , refused to do this , were condemned to perpetual confinement in monasteries . This sentence was passed by the Provincial Synod or Convocation of Canterbury , in July , 1311 . Previously to its passing , the
commissioners had made their report to the Pope , ancl Bishop Dalderby had , in accordance with what is stated above , reported that he had been able to investigate the matter but little , but that he must be held to concur in the reports of his colleagues . The Bishop was evidently still impressed with the desire to have as little as possible to do with a process which he could not heartily approve . From further entries in his register we are able to throw some light
on the ultimate destination of the Templars ancl the special arrangements made for them in the monasteries to which they were consigned . The letter of Robert Winchelsea , Archbishop of Canterbury , giving the general command to all abbots and monasteries who should be selected to receive Templars to do so , ran as follows :
Robert , by Divine permission Archbishop of Canterbury , to all Abbots and Priors , thenchapters and convents , exempt and not exempt , throughout our Province , greeting . Inasmuch as the most holy father in Christ , the Lord Clement , by Divine Providence Pope , has commanded us aud our suffragans by his letters apostolical to make inquiry concerning divers articles of heretical gravity , charged against certain persons of the Order of Knighthood of the Temple in our Province , and brought here before us ; and that , after inquiry duly made touching the said brethren , we should in our Provincial Council pronounce on the said brethren a sentence of absolution or condemnation as justice required . And inasmuch as to the matter
of the aforesaid inquiry we have by the apostolical authority , and by that of our whole Provincial Council , ordained the several persons to perform a certain penance , and for that purpose to be constrained to enter certain monasteries selected for that purpose until it shall be otherwise ordained . You , therefore , all and singular , we command by our apostolic authority , and by that of our whole Council , and by virtue of your obedience , and under the sentences of suspension , excommunication , and interdict to be fulminated against you and your monasteries , if ye shall not do what we command , that ye in whose monasteries we shall have decreed the said persons to be confined should admit those persons readiland treat them kindland
y y minister to them the necessaries of life as we and your Diocesans ordain . Por which the Lord King of England has granted for each person fourpence per day . But if ye shall refuse to obey , we have strictly commanded our venerable brethren , your Diocesans , by other letters , that as well against you the exempt ( who notwithstanding your privileges , are specially bound to ^ obey us in this matter ) as against you , the non-exempt and your monasteries , they should without delay promulgate canonically the ecclesiastical censures , and proceed according to the canonical sanctions . But concerning the manner in whicb we have decreed the said to
persons be iept and the penance to be performed by them , ye shall be informed by your Diocesans or their vicars . Given in our Council iu London , July 15 th , 1311 . ( To be continued . )