Iacobus Read Online Free PDF

than those of the Capetians’, and the training, with Our permission, of new military Orders, smaller and more dangerous which now carry out some of the more insignificant services previously provided by the milites Templi. Well, this is all now turning into a surprising mix to complicate even further the difficult political balance at this time between the Christian kingdoms. I’m sure you know that the Portuguese Templars were treated very differently to their brothers in other countries.” I nodded slowly. “In fact, Portugal was the only kingdom in Christendom that was not subjected to the Inquisition, thus saving it from the rack and buskins. And why has this kingdom disobeyed all of the papal mandates? Because Don Denis, King of Portugal, is a fervent supporter of the Templar spirit. And now …,” shouted His Holiness indignantly, “and now he wants to go even further and laugh at Us!”
    He downed the contents of his chalice in a single gulp and let it fall on the table with a blow. The cubicularius rushed to refill it.
    “Listen carefully, freire, We recently received an unbelievable visit from one of Don Denis’ messengers, requesting authorization to create a new military Order in Portugal which would be given the name of the Order of the Knights of Christ. The King’s audacity goes as far as sending a messenger, a renowned Templar, João Lourenço, who is patiently awaiting Our reply, whatever it may be, in the citadel, to later return to his king on horseback.
    What do you make of it all, Galceran of Born?”
    “I think that the King of Portugal is acting on very well thought-out plans, Holy Father.”
    “And how is that, freire?”
    “It’s obvious that he is planning to allow the Temple to continue in his kingdom, and the fact that he sent a Templar as an ambassador proves that he is not afraid of offending you with his disobedience,” I said, continuing with my argument to the evident interest of the Pope. “As You know, the real name of the Order of the Temple was the Order of the Poor Knights of Christ. The Temple part came about from their first residence in the Holy Land, the Temple of Solomon, a gift to the first nine founders from King Baldwin II of Jerusalem. Therefore, the difference between the names of both Orders, the one he wants to found, the Knights of Christ, and the demised Order of the Poor Knights of Christ, is just one word, and it’s a good thing that it is demised seeing that, without a doubt, the Templars were anything but poor. At least now, the King of Portugal is showing some dignity.”
    “What else?”
    “If he is planning to allow the Temple to exist in his kingdom, he will need to not just change the name but he will also have to return its previous possessions. Who do they belong to at this time?”
    “To the King,” said the Pope with resentment. “He was in charge of seizing the Templar assets as ordered by the papal bulls of Our predecessor, Clement, and he is now quite calmly informing Us that he will give these assets to the new Order and, with even greater audacity, as if there was any lacking from this shameful tapestry, he informs us that the Knights of Christ will be governed by the Rule of the Knights of Calatrava, based on the Cistercian ordinances which, take note — and the Portuguese King didn’t say this, no, the Portuguese King kept this quiet! —, are identical to those of the Rule of the milites Templi Salomonis.”
    He took another large swig from his chalice, draining it in one go again, and let it fall back on the table with a blow. He was so furious that even his eyes were red with anger. Without a doubt he had a very bloody and bilious nature, very different from the image of impassive gentleness he had displayed upon entering and I wasn’t surprised about what frey Robert had said about his rapid triumphs and energetic character.
    “And I’m sure that you will be asking yourself what all this has to do with you. Well, if we put