fun KmcnTs TEMPLARS. the eastles of York ami Lincoln, commanding them to receive j AM the Templars, to keep them iu safe custody, and hold them at the disposition of the inquisitors.* The total number of Templars in custody was two hundred and twenty-nine. Many, however, were still at large, having successfully evaded capture by obliterating all marks of their previous profession, and some had escaped in disguise to the wild and mountainous parts of Wales, Scotland, and Ireland. Among the prisoners confined in the Tower were brother William de la More, Knight, Grand Preceptor of England, otherwise Master of the Temple; Brother Himbert Blanke, Knight, Grand Preceptor of Auvergne, one of the veteran warriors who had fought to the last in defence of Palestine, had escaped the slaughter at Acre, and had accompanied the Grand Master from Cyprus to France, from whence he crossed over to England, and was rewarded for his meritorious and memorable services, in defence of the christian faith, with a dungeon in the Tower.j Brother Radulph de Barton, priest of the order of the Temple, custos or guardian of the Temple church, and prior of London; Brother Michael de Baslteville, Knight, Preceptor of London ; Brother John de Stoke, Knight,Treasurer of the Temple at London; together with many other knights and serving brethren of the same house. There were also in custody in the Tower the knights preceptors of the preceptories of Ewell in Kent, of Daney and Dokesworth in Cambridgeshire, of Getinges in Gloucestershire, of Cumbe in Somersetshire, of Schepeley in Surrey, of Sara ford and Bistelesham in Oxfordshire, of Garwy in Herefordshire, of Cressing in Essex, of Pafliet, Hippleden, and other preceptories, together with several priests and chaplains of the order.lf A general scramble appears to have taken place for possession of * Acta Rymeri, torn. iii. p. 17.Ί, 175. t Rainald, torn. xv. ad ami. 1300. Î Cmcil. Mag. Brit. torn. ii. p. 340, 347.