Page 3

The Trial of the Templars in Ireland

Exclusive Interview

Brother Henry Danet: Well, I’m not guilty of anything myself. I’ve never done anything I shouldn’t. But when I was in Cyprus some of those Spanish brothers didn’t believe in the holy sacraments of the Church. And Brother Hugh of Ampurias went over to the Muslims. And the commander of Castle Pilgrim, he denied Christ and he used to make the brothers he received into the Order deny Christ. And I never heard that any of the Brothers worshipped a head like in the charges against the Order, but I heard a Brother in Spain had a head that used to answer questions. Mind you, all the Spanish own heads like that.

Interviewer: Thank you, Commander. Now, to assess the commander’s testimony, we have here in the studio an expert on talking heads. Professor, what is your opinion of the commander’s testimony?

Professor: Of course ever since King Alfonso VI of Castile captured the city of Toledo with its fine scientific library, Spain has been an international centre of excellence for scientific research. And magic is just one branch of science, albeit arguably the most controversial. But I would question whether the commander’s testimony is based on fact or on the Spanish racial stereotype: dabbling in magic, and so on and so on.

Interviewer: Thank you, Professor. We asked some of the representatives of the Irish friars’ campaign to abolish the Templars, or CAT, to come on to the programme to discuss Commander Danet’s testimony with us. And here on my right is Friar Richard de Balybyn of the friars preacher, and on my left Friar Roger of the Austin friars.

Both: Benedicate.

Interviewer: Dominum. Now, Friar Richard: what can you tell us about Commander Danet?

Friar Richard: All the Templars are guilty, as guilty as can be. This is a great scandal to the people and a danger to souls. Brother Danet used to sleep with the grand master of the Temple when he was in Cyprus, and the grand master made him commander of Ireland for life as a reward.

Interviewer: Friar Roger, have you anything to add to that?

Friar Roger: All the Templars are guilty, as guilty as can be. This is a great scandal to the people and a danger to souls. Brother Danet used to sleep with the grand master of the Temple when he was in Cyprus, and the grand master made him commander of Ireland for life as a reward.

Interviewer: What evidence can you produce to support these allegations?
 
Crowd of Irish friars
(sing to the tune of ‘Little Jack Horner’):
Omnes Templari sunt culpabiles
Quam culpabiles possunt;
Hoc est scandalum in populo
et periculum animarum.		 Translation:
 
All the Templars are guilty
As guilty as can be;
This is a scandal to the populace
And a danger to souls.

 
Interviewer: That doesn’t rhyme or scan.

Friar Richard: It’s modern music.

Interviewer: With respect, these unsupported allegations hardly support your case.

Michelmus de Bras (butts in): I saw the Templars in Cyprus lending money at interest.

Interviewer: Much as usury is condemned by the Church, that’s hardly in the same league as sodomy and spitting on the crucifix, is it? But I’m afraid I’ll have to stop you there as the manuscript suddenly cuts off and goes over to the trial in Scotland.

Lord Hugh, abbot of Dunfermline: I don’t know anything about the Templars. But I have heard rumours that the charges against them are true.

Scottish clergy: We all agree with the abbot.

John of Lyndsey: I sold them a bag of grain. When I told them that I didn’t actually have a bag of grain to sell them, they demanded double their money back. They’re very greedy.

Robert of Kydlaw: They take dues from a mill in my parish.

Lord Fergus: My old grandfather joined the Order of the Temple and three days later he was dead. The Templars must have killed him.

Sir Henry of St Clare: The commander of Balantrodock was a good man.

Hugh of Rydale: He used to give gifts in charity.

English youths: We don’t know anything about the Templars. We thought they were good, but some people are saying they aren’t.

Scottish servants: Well, we say the Templars are guilty. Then we can have their lands.

Interviewer: I’m afraid I’ll have to cut you off there, as we`re under attack from King Robert Bruce ...

(At this point the manuscript breaks off).

So, are the Templars innocent or gulty?
Turn to page 4 for an your chance to VOTE.




Page content by Helen J. Nicholson, page design by N²productions, 13 April 2004

© Helen J. Nicholson 2004