The Last Templar: The Tragedy of Jacques de Molay

By Alain Demurger

Book Overview

In 1307 King Philip the Fair of France and Pope Clement V brought to trial one of the most powerful institutions of the medieval world: the Order of the Knights of the Temple. Alain Demurger reopens the case and tells the story of the Order's Grand Master, Jacques de Molay. He examines the arrests, the trials, the transcripts of the inquisitions and Molay's own devastating confession in this study of one of the most gruesome episodes of European history.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 184668224X
• ISBN13: 9781846682247
• Release Date: September 2009
• Publisher: Ips - Profile Books
• Length: 286 Pages
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.3" x 7.9"

Customer Reviews

An excellent addition to medieval history shelves

Now in a new edition, published in the U.S. for the first time and with the addition of an epilogue, The Last Templar: The Tragedy of Jacques de Molay is an in-depth examination of the arrest, trial, and devastating punishment of the Order of the Knights of the Temple, also known as the Templars. In October of 2007, the Vatican chose to publish original documents on the trial of the Templars; the new epilogue pays especial attention to these documents, looking beyond the hype to scrutinize the significance and legacy of one of medieval history's most famous trials. An excellent addition to medieval history shelves, The Last Templar is particularly recommended for college library collections.

Foresically Tasty

I must disagree with the previous reviews. This book neither wanders nor loses its track. It is a forensic examination of the life of Jacques de Molay which, because of the lack of much documentary evidence, widens its examination to include the times and other personalities to get a sense of what is possible and normal for a man the period. Wherever possible, though, all conclusions and inferences are drawn from primary sources and original rather than second hand material. It is refreshing to see the French tradition, as opposed to the Anglo-German interpretation, of the Templars, their Order and final days. This is perhaps not a book for the average reader but for a medieval scholar it is invaluable reading.

A Needed Biography of the Last Grand Master

I have given this work 4 stars, tho' 3.5 stars is more like it. I do agree with the other review that it is slow going in some parts. I think perhaps this may be due to the fact that the work was translated from the French. But the work is significant in that a lot material that I had never read before about Jacques de Molay was brought to light. If you are interested in the Knights Templar and the final chapter of the old military order, then this is an important read. Prior to this book the descriptions of the last Grand Master were cursory at best. De Molay is revealed in this work to be a more capable administrator than previously thought. In all the previous books about the Templars I have read de Molay was often referred to as gung-ho warrior type with little talents beyond the military aspects of the Order. However, Demurger shows that this was not the case.