December 3rd

As Grand Master DeMolay was also in a difficult position. The Crusades were not achieving their goals. The non-Christian Saracens defeated the Crusaders in battle and captured many vital cities and posts. The Knights Templar and the Hospitalers (another Order of Knights) were the only groups remaining to confront the Saracens.

(Get background info on Crusades)

-The Knights Templar decided to reorganize and regain their strength.
-They traveled to the island of Cyprus in hope that the public would support another Crusade
-Instead of public support, the Knights attracted the attention of powerful lords, who were interested in obtaining their wealth and power.
-In 1305, Philip the Fair, King of France, tried to take control of the Knights Templars.
- King Philip decided to do this because the Knights only answered to the church and he was interested in taking their wealth and power for himself (he was bankrupt)
-King Philip began arresting the Knights, along with Jacques DeMolay in 1307
-Jacques DeMolay and his Knights were subject to 7 years of dungeons, torture, and humiliation
-During this time, DeMolay remained true to his companions and refused to dicuss the whereabouts of the Order's funds that Philip so eagerly wished to seize
-On March 18, 1314, DeMolay was tried by a special court. As evidence, the court used a forged confession, allegedly signed by DeMolay
- DeMolay of course "disavowed" this confession and was then subject to the punishment for disavowing a confession, which was death
- Guy de Auvergne, anothe Knight also disavowed his confession
- On March 18th, 1314, Jacques DeMolay and Guy de Auvergne were sentenced to death by King Philip of France, and were burned at the stake