Città del Vaticano : Archivio segreto vaticano, 2007.
251 p. ; 45 cm. + 22 loose leaves of plates (4 fold.) : ill. ; 45 cm.
Series: (Exemplaria praetiosa ; 3)
Incl. facs. repr. of the orig. Latin documents (A.A., Arm. D. 208-210, 217-218; Reg. Aven. 48) on the trial against the Templars, with transcr. and comment. in English and Italian.
799 copies published.
This work from the Vatican Archives is not only a historic document but also an artistically reproduced and lavishly bound art work. It includes facsimile reproduction of the original Latin documents (A.A., Arm. D. 208-210, 217-218; Reg. Aven. 48) and a parchment and wax seal used by the inquisitors. Original text in Latin is accompanied by English and Italian translations and commentary. The work is leather bound and housed in an elegant case.
Templar or the Poor Knights of Christ and of the Temple of Salomon was a monastic order originally formed in Jerusalem during crusades (dates differ in various sources from 1118 to 1120) to protect pilgrims going to Jerusalem against robbers. Despite vows of poverty they acquired significant wealth by bequests from kings of Spain, France and England. As their influence grew they secured money transfer from country to country and became unofficial bankers in the 13th century Europe. The fall of Acre in 1291 into Muslim hands rendered their mission in the Holy Land obsolete. Competition with Hospitallers, another order of the crusades period, and conflict with king Philip IV of France led to their imprisonment and torture in France and forced pope Clement V to order their trial.
Processus includes entire hearings conduced by cardinals Berenger Fredol, Etienne de Suisy and Landolfo Brancacci. Enclosed is also the “Parchment of Chinon” of 1308 in which pope Clement V absolves Templar from heresy and intends to save them. However, pressure from Philip IV led to the abolishment of the order in 1312. In 1314 the last Grand Master, Jacques de Molat, and his aids were burned at the stake. Templar property was transferred to Philip and/or Hospitallers (sources differ).
The document is an important source for medieval history of state and church relations especially in view of the imprisonment of popes by France in Avignon (1305-1378 beginning with Clement V).