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- The namesake of the Order of DeMolay was born in Vitrey,
Department of Haute Saone, France in the year 1244. At the age of 21, DeMolay joined the
Order of Knights Templar.
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- 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.
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- With many nobles and princes sending their sons to join the
Knights Templar, the Order also became very wealthy and popular throughout Europe.
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- In 1298, Jacques DeMolay was named Grand Master of the Knights
Templar, 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
posts. The Knights Templar and the Hospitalers (another Order of Knights) were the only
groups remaining to confront the Saracens.
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- 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.
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- 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 Knights
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, Philip set out to take over the Knights.
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- 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 suffered torture and inhuman
conditions. While the Knights did not end, Philip managed to force Pope Clement to condemn
the Templars. Their wealth and property were confiscated and given to Philip's
supporters.
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- 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, DeMolay was tried by a special
court. As evidence, the court depended on a forged confession, allegedly signed by
DeMolay.
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- Jacques DeMolay disavowed the forged confession. Under the laws
of the time, the disavowal of a confession was punishable by death. Another Knight, Guy of
Auvergne, likewise disavowed his confession and stood with Jacques DeMolay.
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- 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.
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Jacques DeMolay
