CHAPTER IX. The downfall of the Templars—The cause thereof—The li rand Master comes to Europe at the request of the Pope—He is imprisoned, with all the Templari) in France, by command of king Philip—They are put lo the torture, and confessions of the guilt of hereey and idolatry are extracted from them—Edward II. king of England stands up in defence of the Templars, but afterwards persecutes them at the instance of the Po]e—The imprisonment of the Master of the Temple and all his brethren in England—Their examination upon eightyseven horrible and ridiculous articles of accusation before foreign inquisitors appointed by the Po]»—Λ council of the church assembles at London to [MISS sentence upon them—The curious evidence adduced as to the mode of admission into the order, and of the customs and observances of the fraternity. 193 CHAPTER X. The Templars in France revoke their rack-extorted confessions—They are tried as relapsed heretics, and burnt at the stake—The progress of the inquiry in England—The curious evidence adduced as to the mode of holding the chapters of the order—As to the penance enjoined therein, and the absolution pronounced by the Master—The Templars draw up a written defence, which they present to the ecclesiastical council—They are placed in separate dungeons, and put to the torture—IVo serving brethren and a chaplain of the order then make confessions—Many other Templars acknowledge themselves guilty of heresy in respect of their belief in the religious authority of their Master—They make their recantations,and are reconciled to the church before the south door of Saint Paul's cathedral—The order of the Temple is abolished by the Pope—The last of the Masters of the Temple in England dies in the Tower—The disposal of the property of the order—Observations on the downfall of the Templars . . . . . . 239 CHAPTER XI. THE TEMPLE CHURCH. The restoration of the Temple Church—The beauty and magnificence of the venerable building—The various styles of architecture displayed in it—The