The Follies of the King by Jean Plaidy Page A

Edward’s affairs. Philip had the Pope dancing to his tune; he wanted his son-in-law to do the same.
    A messenger from the Pope had arrived in England and he told the King that his master was much disturbed by the practices carried out by the Knights Templars and that he wished the Order to be suppressed in England as it was being in France.
    Edward was alarmed. He had always believed there was something holy about the Templars. He knew that over the centuries they had amassed great wealth but he remembered his father’s saying how magnificent they had been during his crusade and how their presence there had been such a help to the soldiers.
    He sent for Walter Reynolds who had been a great comfort to him since the departure of Gaveston.
    Walter was thoughtful when he heard of the Pope’s instruction. ‘You can depend upon it, this does not come so much from His Holiness as from the King of France,’ was his comment.
    ‘Philip has started to suppress the Templars. Walter, I fear it will bring me ill luck. I fear if I do this, something awful will happen. I might never see Perrot again.’
    ‘The King of France has amassed great wealth through the suppression of the Order, my lord.’
    ‘I know it well.’
    ‘And a king never needed money more than you do.’
    ‘It seems the wrong way to get it.’
    ‘If it is true that they practise these obscene acts―’ Walter licked his lips and Edward knew that Walter was thinking how he would like to witness some of them.
    ‘Do you believe it, Walter?’
    Walter shrugged his shoulders. ‘It would be a way of replenishing the royal coffers,’ was his comment.
    Edward shuddered. ‘I will not do it.’ he said. ‘Frankly, Walter, I do not believe it. My father-in-law is a ruthless man. He needs money, so he looks round to see who has some. He has alighted on the Templars. I think this will bring him ill luck. The Templars are― or were― men of God.’
    ‘You will doubtless put it before the council.’
    ‘This I must do, but somehow, Walter, I fancy they will not wish to do it either. The Templars have lived peaceably here for many years. I had rather they continued to do so.’
    ‘The King of France is the most powerful man in Europe, my lord. It is a blessing that you married his daughter.’ Walter smirked. ‘The lady seems a little more pleased with life of late. I doubt not this state of affairs has reached the French King’s ears.’
    ‘If he thinks to rule me,’ said Edward somewhat petulantly, ‘I shall defy him.’
    ‘Who is the King of France to govern the King of England! He is determined though that the Templars be suppressed and not only in his own country. It may be that he wishes to ease his conscience by letting others share his guilt― if guilt it is.’
    ‘If these men are innocent, Walter―’
    ‘I doubt they are that. It is not the nature of men to be innocent and when an Order amasses great wealth it can become obsessed by that wealth and eager to see it multiply. They say there was much indulgence among these men. They lived in luxury, they belied their holy laws. Oh yes, that seems very likely, my lord.’
    ‘But does this deserve torture and death?’
    ‘The King of France thinks so.’
    ‘Do you think he has lived such a virtuous life?’
    ‘That is beside the point if I may say so, lord. Philip is a king; these men proclaim to be holy knights. They have been foolish. They should not have become so wealthy for where there is wealth there will always be those who covet it and scheme to take possession of it. There is no doubt that Philip is determined on their destruction. He sent for the master, Jacques de Molai, on pretext of wishing to talk to him. Molai came to Paris from Cyprus and was treated well at first to allay his suspicions. Then suddenly Philip swooped on Molai and sixty of his knights of high order. They were taken to noisome dungeons and there daily these Knights Templars are submitted to hideous torture.’
    Edward