- Imprint: Profile Books
- Published: 09/04/2009
- Price: £8.99
- Format: Paperback
- Extent: 300p
- Edition Illustration Details:
- ISBN: 9781846682247
- Subject: History
The Last Templar
The Tragedy of Jacques de Molay, Last Grand Master of the Temple
Alain Demurger
The definitive investigation into the fall of the mighty Knights Templar and their last Grand Master. Written by one of France's greatest medieval scholars and now re-issued with important new material.
In 1307 King Philip the Fair of France and Pope Clement V brought to trial one of the most powerful institutions of the medieval world: the Order of the Knights of the Temple. Alain Demurger reopens the case and tells the story of the Order's Grand Master, Jacques de Molay. He examines the arrests, the trials, the transcripts of the inquisitions and Molay's own devastating confession in this study of one of the most gruesome episodes of European history.
About the Author
Alain Demurger is an honorary lecturer in medieval history at the University of Paris. He has written and published extensively on the military religious orders which grew out of the crusades, including a history of the Templars and a general work on the'soldiers of Christ'.
Reviews
'This is probably the definitive account not only of de Molay, but also of the political and financial factors at play in the closing years of the Temple.', Fortean Times
'Scrupulously detailed.', The Times
'A scrupulously scholarly analysis.', Times Literary Supplement
'A well researched and thorough book.', Observer
'A complex story of greed, chivalry, and, ultimately, execution', Good Book Guide
'If you're tired of theDa Vinci Codeschool of history then this erudite volume will come as a welcome relief.', Andy Cannon, Catholic Herald
