“For one and a quarter centuries the Templars held a position of power and respect throughout Europe and the world; with the Church and the King. But that came to an end on 13 October, 1307. It began with a long, desperate ride south from Paris for Jacques de Molay,” Trevelyan said, “the last man to hold the title of Grand Master of the Templar Knights.”
The priest"s passion carried his listeners with him – seven centuries into the past.
* * *
Molay was a contradiction as he rode. In appearance, he was a resplendent Father Christmas; a bald dome wreathed in long white hair, dark eyes in a red, breathless face behind a great gray beard and mustache. In costume, he was a shining knight; a white tunic emblazoned with a black cross over a hauberk of chain mail, a white cloak with a matching
