The Knights Templar was an organization sanctioned by the Roman Catholic Church in 1128 to guard the road between Jerusalem and Acre, an important port city on the Mediterranean Sea. The Order of Knights Templar participated in the Crusades, and earned a name for valor and heroism.
With many nobles and princes sending their sons to join the Knights Templar, the Order also become very wealthy and popular throughout Europe.
In 1928, Jacques DeMolay was named Grand Master of the Knights, a position of power and prestige. As Grand Master, however, Jacques 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 ports. The Knights Templar and the Hospitalers (another order of knights) were the only groups left to confront the Saracens.
The Knights Templar decided to reorganize and regain their strength. They traveled to the island of Cyprus, waiting for the general public to rise up in support of another Crusade.
Instead of public support, however, 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, set about to obtain control of the Templars. (They had been accountable only to the Church.) To prevent a rise in the power of the Church - and to increase his own wealth - he set out to take over the Knights Templar.
The year 1307 saw the beginning of the persecution of the Knights. Jacques DeMolay, along with hundreds of others, were seized and thrown into dungeons. For seven years, DeMolay and the Knights sufferd torture and inhuman conditions. While the Knights did not bend, Philip managed to force Pope Clement to condemn the Templars. Their wealth and property were confiscated and given to Philips supporters.
During years of torture, Jacques DeMolay continued to be loyal to his friends and Knights. He refused to disclose the location of the funds of the Order, and he refused to betray his comrades. On March 18, 1314, he was tried by a special court. As evidence, the court depended on a forged confession, allegedly signed by DeMolay.
Jacques DeMolay disavowed the forged confession. Under the laws of the time, the dissavowel of a confession was punishable by death. Another Knight, Guy of Auvergne, likewise dissavowed his confession and stood with him.
King Philip ordered them both to be burned at the stake that day, and thus the story of Jacques DeMolay became a testimonial to loyalty and friendship.