The Forgotten Templars Vol.1 The Manuscript

The Forgotten Templars

M. Caldwell Hunter

Volume 1:

The Manuscript

The Forgotten Templars Vol. I:

The Manuscript

M. Caldwell Hunter

Copyright 2017 M.Caldwell Hunter

3rd Edition, License Notes

This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favourite retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Text copyright © 2013 M. Caldwell Hunter

All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form.

The characters in this novel are fictitious and any resemblance to anyone living or dead is purely coincidental.

Historical characters and places are as accurate as possible.

For information about this novel or to ask for permission to reproduce any portion thereof please contact the author via any of the following.

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As the author I would welcome your comments or reviews.

Contents

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chaptrer 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

Chapter 37

Preview

Other Novels By The Author

Acknowledgments

About The Author

Prologue

May 1308

The Royal Dungeons, Paris

Philippe walked gingerly down the steps into the dank, fetid air of the dungeons, a trip he had done weekly ever since Jaques De Molay had been captured. ‘God willing, the old fool will talk this time.’ Philippe thought to himself.

So far, despite horrendous tortures De Molay had refused to speak.

Philippe stepped over the freshly laid straw and gagged at the smell, feeling his shoes sink into whatever excrement and urine was underneath.

He looked over at the naked De Molay crouched in a corner, suspended by chains that held him in position, not allowing him to sit properly and causing him severe pain in his broken legs.

The signs of torture were to be seen all over his body, welts from the whip, burns from the irons. Bruising and blisters covered his body, but it was the face that shocked Philippe the most; his eyes were bloodshot and the skin around then was purple. His mouth hung open showing empty tooth sockets where the torturers had yanked teeth during previous attempts to have De Molay confess.

‘Well old man. Are you willing to talk this time?’ Philippe snarled at De Molay.

‘I will talk with you, but only alone. If you wish me to speak, remove these cretins from my sight.’ De Molay answered.

‘Be gone all of you. I will be alone with this blasphemer.’

When all had left, De Molay motioned Philippe over.

‘My Lord King you may ask of me what you will.’

‘Old man, you know why I keep returning. I want the location of your Templars and the treasure.’

‘Sire, you have our treasure, unless your men stole our gold for themselves.’

‘Don’t fool with me De Molay. You know of the treasure I seek. I want the blasphemous head your minions pray to.’

De Molay shook his head and smiled before answering. ‘You can never be one who looks on the head; you are a heathen and blasphemer to the true God.’

Philippe raged towards De Molay kicking his legs. All De Molay could do was let out a quiet whimper.

‘Philippe, you and your puppet Pope are nothing. I am nothing. The word will live on. For every one Templar you have captured one hundred and more are now in hiding, and will wait their time, for it will come, and you and your like will kneel before the Knights of Solomon and beg for mercy.’

‘Old man, I promise you will beg for mercy before my inquisitors have finished with your body!’

‘I may be an old man, but I chose this end for myself. I will make you a promise as well. You should heed this as a final warning. Note to yourself the date I die, for within the following twelve months, you and your pope will also die, and it will be in my name. If I were in your shoes, standing in my shit, I would ensure that I came to no further harm and lived a long life. For when I pass to my Lord, the sands in the timer start running out for you, and my will be done, heed this you bastard oaf.’

Philippe stuttered, he knew of the power of the Templars and that ninety percent of the Knights, along with their prized treasures, had escaped his clutches. He knew that if De Molay said this then it would happen.

‘Old man, I will keep you alive, not out of fear, but because it will prolong your suffering, and I wish to see you beg to die.’

‘I am already dead to this world; you can only keep this husk as a reminder of your limited time. I am in another place which is great and good, now be gone you putrid imbecile or I might just stop breathing and start your death throws.’ De Molay then looked into Philippe’s eyes and let out a cackle showing his tortured mouth.

Philippe almost vomited and had to turn away. He then left the dungeon passing the guards and inquisitors.

‘Make sure De Molay continues to suffer, but if he dies then you all will have a taste of his suffering before you die. Do I make myself clear? De Molay is to remain alive!’

King Philippe returned to his chambers shaking with rage but also in fear. He shouted for his servants to bring wine and once it arrived he consumed enough for him to pass out in a stupor, only for De Molay’s toothless grin to torment him in his nightmares.

Back in the dungeon the inquisitors gently laid De Molay on the ground having removed his chains. One washed the body of the old man while another fed him bread and weak soup.

‘You do not need to do this.’ De Molay said between mouthfuls of soup.

‘My lord the King commands us to keep you alive and your suffering to continue on pain of our own deaths.’ a young inquisitor replied.

‘I am sorry for your suffering my Lord; your Knights were good to our village.’

‘Young man, do not fret for I am not in this place any more. I am happy, this body can only become a husk and I will no longer suffer. But for your own sake find another course of work; for Philippe will kill you all after this body succumbs. Heed my words, the King will destroy this body and then kill you all.’

Back in their quarters the inquisitors and guards discussed what De Molay had said.

Within a month half of them had been replaced, but three of them, including the young inquisitor, stayed to ensure De Molay’s continued life.’

JULY 1311

‘Albert’ whispered De Molay ‘why do you still stay here? I am weakening and the King grows angry at his failure to have me speak of our great ‘treasure’. I told you to leave for your own sakes.’

‘My Lord De Molay, I made a vow with my friends who also stayed to protect you, but also to allow the King to think you were still being tortured. I owe it to you and your Knights, my family know of this and are prepared to see my death as a forfeit to atone for my sins of torture in the hope I can see God and heaven before I am sent to hell.’

‘Albert you will see the angels in heaven for you have both my forgiveness and blessing but you must leave here soon. I will give you warning again, the King is going to have me burned at the stake before too long. I need you and your two friends to be as far from this place as possible before then. Will you do that for me?’

‘How can you be sure my Lord?’

‘I am sure of my death, but of the time and place I am still unsure but when I know you must leave.’

FEBRUARY 1314

‘Albert come closer, I need you to understand this.’ came the weak voice of De Molay.

Albert leant in nearer to the old man’s mouth. He felt shame at the state of De Molay. The once great leader of the Templars was indeed reduced to a husk, he had even insisted that they carry out torture on him and the cruelty of the past three years was now evident on his ravaged body.

‘Albert, heed this, my last words to you and your friends, I will die soon, by the fire and when I am gone Philippe will look to eliminate you all. I told you before but you refused to go. Now I do not ask, I order you all to leave tonight.’

‘But my Lord, who will attend to your needs?’

‘I will have little need of your kindness. I need you to carry a message from here to the Knights Tueton in the east. You must deliver it to the Großgebietiger Ludolf von Plauen. ‘Remember this phrase to gain entry ‘My Master is at one with your Master.' Repeat it.’

Albert did so.

‘Tell the Großgebietiger that De Molay wishes to seek justice for his captors within the year. Repeat it my boy.’

Again Albert repeated the words.

‘Now, you and your friends who have been kind to this old wreck; leave this place of death tonight and do not stop until you find the Knights I ask you to.’

‘What will you do?’

‘Why Albert I will die. I’ve known this all along and Philippe the bastard is now thinking that he will be safer if I am dead and gone.’

Albert knelt beside him tears rolling down his face. ‘Goodbye my Lord. May your going be peaceful.’

‘It will be.’ lied De Molay. ‘I no longer feel pain.’

That night three ragged men left the dungeons and headed out of the city. It took them three weeks to reach the territories of the Tuetons and another two before they made contact with the Großgebietiger.

He listened to the words Albert spoke then lowered his head in prayer. ‘I have to tell you that Lord De Molay has been put to the fire more than a week ago by the Frankish bastard.’

Albert and his two friends had tears on their faces at this news and decided to confess to their part in the torture.

Von Plauen listened then spoke. ‘I know of all your deeds and that De Molay ordered you to carry on with his tortures. This he did for your safety, did he absolve you?’

‘He did sire.’

Then your part in this is over. You may all stay within these boundaries, or you are free to leave and if that is your choice then you will receive fair recompense.’

Albert chose to go on but his friends decided to stay.

‘That is your choice but there will always be a welcome for you here any time, and I can assure you that the justice De Molay is seeking will be handed out, and within the timescale he set.’

Within the month the Pope was dead due to natural causes. The King proved more difficult, but well within the year he had died in a hunting accident. Both were told of their fate just before they were assassinated.

Chapter 1

12TH JUNE 1306

Trani, Kingdom Of Sicily

Jaques de Molay walked through the darkening corridors of the preceptory with Roger De Courcy. He looked toward the setting sun, glimpsing it through the arches as they continued.

‘De Courcy,’ he began ‘I am going to entrust you with the most difficult task. I wish this time had never come but it seems that our Order is to be in danger and I am sure that you can endure whatever lies ahead.

You will take charge of all Temple records and our so called treasures, both those we have brought here and those in the process of being moved to ports in Aragon and at La Rochelle.

We have amassed over fifteen ships, some of them are the new Portuguese Cougas designed for more oceanic travel and you must decide on their future voyages. What we have can never be allowed to fall into the hands of either the Pope or Philippe of France.

Your life now is to guard and then conceal as much of these goods as any human can. May God see you through.’

All De Courcy could say was ‘It will be my duty and honour to do so my lord. With the grace of our Lord I will endeavour to succeed.’

‘De Courcy this is most secret. At present only a handful of my most trusted Commandieres have shared this knowledge and they know you are my choice as commander. After today we may never meet again so be courageous and lucky in all your actions.’

The following night the Grand Master met with the remainder of the Commandieres of the Knights Templar. He had personally requested this meeting with his brother Knights after he and Fulques De Villaret had received invitations to meet with Pope Clement V earlier that year.

This had been predicted by his spies, and what now occurred and was decided upon would shape Catholic and human history for years to come.

Around the table with him was Fulques De Villaret the Master of the Knights Hospitillar, Albert de Cluny, Grand Commander and Marshall Luc Du Bleque. Also Geurian Larouche, Commander of the newly inaugurated Knights of Malta. From the Teutonic Knights: Verner von Orseln, Hochmeister, Ludolf von Plauen, the Großgebietiger, the Großkomtur and the Teutonic Knights Marschall.

Seated with de Molay were Geoffroi de Charney, Roger de Courcy, Bérenger de Cardona, Vasco Fernandes, Master, and Bertrand de Silva de la Selve, Précepteur.

‘Gentlemen brothers,’ Molay began ‘we are about to enter a dark hysterical un-Godly period in all our lives. I have learned from our sources in France and in the Papal States that this invitation is mainly to ensure the breaking up and destroying of some or all our Orders.

Some of us here will not return from our forthcoming journeys. We have heard reports that Philippe of France is considering raiding our Preceptories for the monies therein.

Philippe is in debt to us for a massive amount and because of his wars with England, he is running out of money to pay for his armies. He has still to persuade Clement to find a reason to justify an attack. However, this may have been made easier to validate because of treachery from the fool Heralic.’

De Molay continued ‘Heralic has passed on some of our initiation ceremonies to Philippe in return for gold. He will use this to get a papal blessing for his assault on Paris. So far Clement is holding out but our sources say that it is only a matter of time before Clement yields to his pressure. Remember he is at best a hostage of the king.’

I have to say that we have already started to remove our records and other artifacts from any areas of Philippe’s jurisdiction. De Villaret has already brought the remainder of our articles from Cyprus, and as we are meeting they are being readied for transfer to the best ships of our fleet. Any of your own Orders’ records that you may wish to send with us will be treated with respect as if they were our own. I have it on good authority that De Charney and I are most likely to be arrested, as could De Villaret.

This meeting is to ensure that our brotherhoods continue into the future as it seems that in France my Templar brothers will almost certainly be in danger of arrest and torture.’ Fernandes responded that King Denis was willing to ignore any threat from France, as was King James II the Just of Aragon. Still fighting the Moors they both could see a need for warrior knights.

‘Our task here is to ensure that Philippe thinks he has recovered his treasure and destroyed the Knights Templar.’ started de Molay. ‘However, we will endeavour to find a secure store for the artifacts, our brothers are contacting the St Claires in Scotland, they may know of lands beyond any influence of the warring kings of Europe.

The following day De Courcy and Vasco Fernandez made passage through the buildings within the Preceptory watching the craftsmen loading papers, parchment books, Templar and some of the other Orders’ historical documents into weatherproof chests. They proceeded into the inner rooms where Templars were in charge of the careful packing and placing of Islamic records and a number of, to De Courcys eyes, magical instruments and plans of magnificent construction techniques. These would have been unseen and unheard of in his homeland.

These extraordinary pieces were placed by the trusted loaders into similar chests and crates, which then were readied for loading into the ships of the now assembled Templar fleet.

Fernandez then took De Courcy to the dock area and pointed out the latest additions to the flotilla. Standing out in the harbour were vessels almost as large as the Cogs, but slightly smaller than Holks normally used for transport and battle. The difference in these vessels, called Cougas, De Courcy could see was a third sail of triangular design above the stern castle. ‘You see the design of this vessel allows faster sailing when the wind is not following.’ explained Fernandez.

It was a long five days as over one hundred chests and crates were positioned into the hold area of four of the Holks. Then Knights, their Sergeants, Squires and seamen were to be formed into an armed convoy of ten vessels. This would consist of the Holks, Cougas and Carracks. On this were carried between Knights, Sergeants, Squires, Scribe Priests and seamen almost five hundred men, all highly trained and fiercely loyal.

On 29th June 1306 a veritable armada set sail for Peniscola in Aragon, a journey of at least seventeen days given fair wind and using the secretive Master of the flotilla, Jacobus’ illuminated maps of the Mediterranean area. These maps were said to be ancient and from the east but gave shorter sailing distance by allowing the ships master to use a more direct route and not having to stay within sight of land.

4th JULY 1306

Peniscola, Kingdom Of Aragon

The preparations for the arrival of De Courcys flotilla were underway. Records and parchments had begun to arrive from Paris and other Preceptories in France. De Molay had surely made these decisions well prior to his meeting arranged in Trani.

In the harbour area were a number of vessels readied for loading, three more Holks, and four Carracks were being prepared for what would certainly be an arduous journey. Master Gallatias was ensuring his crews were at one with their new vessels, and his handpicked crews and captains were among the most trusted and loyal to their Templar principals.

On land again there was a flurry of activity within the walls as craftsmen fabricated chests and crates which were then filled and catalogued ready for transport to the Holks, this to be done after De Courcy arrived. A garrison of some four hundred Knights of all Orders along with their attendants ensured the safety and security of the area.

It took longer than Jacobus had intimated but the Templar fleet from Trani arrived at Peniscola on 21st August.

Waiting for them was a note from De Molay. ‘My colleagues and brothers, I am due to meet the Pope in secret on 12th September. In the hope that we can still save the day I implore you to remain where you are until I or my Brother Allain Crantus give notice of his decision. This should be with you by no later than the early October time. If you have not heard any news by November, or if any forces appear nearby, then carry out my requests as given in Trani.’

This note carried the seal and as De Courcy confirmed the signature of De Molay.

Jacobus and Gallitas both said that waiting until November would make it impossible to fulfill the directions given at Trani. ‘We must either sail by the middle of September or wait until March to gain favourable wind and weather.’ Jacobus insisted and Gallitas concurred. A meeting of senior Knights, Masters and Captains was called for, this taking place in the Castle on 24th August. Discussions took over three days and it was decided to remain until March unless early news came from De Molay.

Ships were unloaded and the chests and crates were located securely in the castle. By this time the garrison in Peniscola numbered over seven hundred Knights and their entourage giving a sizable force on land along with over three hundred trained and loyal sailors. This was larger than any force in the area, both on land and seagoing.

The cargo could be loaded onboard ship within ten hours, so a time to set sail was given as thirty hours later, allowing for tides. In the meantime training for all was included in the day along with prayer and research of some archives which had been un-crated for copying.

De Courcy watched in one scriptorium as scribe-monks used strange wooden pegs to allow for faster copy of documents. Approaching one he enquired as to what was being done.

Brother Aloysius explained ‘Sire these pegs are carved with the letters of the alphabet in reverse. Look,’ he said handing one to De Courcy ‘you can see the mirror of a letter B. We make a line of text with these then place them on an inked block like this. Then, when placed onto the lined parchment, it leaves a text on the page.’

‘Where did this come from?’

‘Sire it came to us from the Muslims, who gained the knowledge from the eastern lands. It is a way of placing text more quickly on a document, but it does not allow for decoration of the manuscript.’ De Courcy was in amazement at this technique. He was one of only a few Knights who had mastered the art of reading and writing. He wondered to himself if any other mysterious objects or ideas were included in his massive cargo.

18TH NOVEMBER 1306

Late evening a small Cog arrived in the harbour at Peniscola, carrying an envoy with a message from De Molay. It was short and to the point. ‘Brothers I have failed you all. No agreement could be made. Philippe’s hand showed in all discussions. Make your plans and remove yourselves at your earliest opportunity. Follow the original plans we agreed. God be with you all and God speed your travels.’ It was sealed and signed by De Molay.

Jacobus and Gallitas both said that waiting until November would make it impossible to fulfill the directions given at Trani. ‘As we said, our flotilla had to sail by the second half of September at the latest. Now we must wait until March to gain more favourable wind and weather.’ Jacobus insisted and again Gallitas agreed.

A long discussion took place as to when the fleet could leave, this culminated in a short statement to those assembled.

‘Well,’ said Jacobus ‘our earliest feasible departure will be early March. This gives us over three months to prepare our ships for the rough weather which we will get at that time. Remember, here we are sheltered, but we can expect great winds and mighty seas when we round Gibraltar and go through the straits in the great sea.

11th MARCH 1307

As the great day dawned, the fleet, now numbering fourteen vessels, prepared to depart. As would the vessels of an invading army, with almost twelve hundred men in total, the ships moved away from the coast in three rows consisting of Carracks, Cougas and with the Holks in the centre.

De Courcy looked back knowing that every sight from now on would be new to him and he could not return to any port from whence they departed.

‘Sire’ the voice of Jacobus took him from his thoughts, ‘I will show you our charts, as I need at least three people on board each ship to be capable of reading them.’

In the cabin Jacobus unrolled a series of charts. He proceeded to explain the methods of sailing the ships by use of an astrolabe which uses the moon and stars at night and measures the angle of the sun by day. He also showed De Courcy a compass in a kind of brass housing which held the needle and box safely no matter the angle of the outer casing.

Jacobus said he thought that the compass, the astrolabe and the excellent charts had come back with the early Templar Knights, and had been used to give them an advantage when trading and moving troops around. They allowed the Templar fleets to sail in more direct routes, out of sight of land.

This would be essential, as it would seem that Philippe would want news of any sightings of Templar Knights. Using these implements this fleet would be able to sail the initial section of its journey out of sight, and only put in to land once the safe haven of Portugal had been reached.

Chapter 2

Scotland 1307

The fleet stopped to take on supplies in Portugal. Some twenty Knights and their entourage were allowed to disembark, for they were of the people and nobles of this area.

Our fleet took shelter in and around Temar as we waited for the arrival of a further four vessels. Negotiations with Clement were in progress by our brother Knights from other orders. This was to no avail and the fleet, now made up to eighteen vessels, began a perilous journey over the storm waters between Temar and the south west of England where we undertook to split the fleet.

This had to be the case and, because of the danger from English and French vessels, the chance had to be taken of losing ships to the possibly foul ocean to the west of Ireland.

At least there, the fleet could take shelter in the south west ports where our brothers still held sway.

The smaller part of the fleet, seven in total and the most heavily armed, took the route east