The Trial of the Templars

The Trial of the Templars, which took place in the early 14th century, was a series of legal actions against the Knights Templar, a powerful medieval military and financial order. King Philip IV of France, heavily in debt, accused them of heresy, blasphemy, and other crimes to justify seizing their assets and disbanding the order. Many members were tortured, confessed under duress, and were executed or imprisoned. The trial marked the decline of the Templars' influence and remains a significant event in medieval history, illustrating the complex interplay of religious, political, and financial interests of that era.