[94] The proceedings against the Templars have been published from the original documents by Mowdenhaler, in Germany; but the work has been bought up by the freemasons, who fancy themselves descended from the Templars, so that we have been unable to procure a copy of it. Wilike has, however, extracted largely from it.
[95] Sismondi Républiques Italiennes, iv. p. 143.
[96] The arrests were made in England in the same secret and sudden manner as in France. Rymer iii. 34, 43.
[97] In the church of the romantic hamlet of Gavarnic, a few leagues from Barèges, on the road to Spain, in the heart of the Hautes Pyrénées, are shown twelve skulls, which are said to have been those of Templars who were beheaded in that place. The tradition is, in all probability, incorrect; but the Templars had possessions in Bigorre.
[98] This is mentioned in a private letter from Clement to Philip, of the 30th December, 1308.
[99] Monumens Historiques, &c. p. 46.
[100] Raynouard, p. 253.
[101] Raynouard, 61. This circumstance was first remarked by Fleury, Hist. Eccles., lib. xci. Yet it seems hardly credible that the pope and his secretaries could have made so gross a mistake.
[102] All these crimes had been acknowledged by various members of the order. Yet what can be more improbable than the worship of the cat for instance? This charge, by the way, had already been made against the sect of the Cathari, who were said to have derived their name a catta:—rather their name gave origin to the invention.
[103] Almost every charge brought against the Templars had been previously made against the Albigenses, with how much truth every one is aware.