The Last Templar

by Alain Demurger

In October 2007 the Vatican astonished the world by publishing original documents on the trial of the Templars. This appeared to open the way for a fundamental reappraisal of the roles of the leading players and even to hint at a retrospective papal pardon for the two leading Templars burnt at the stake in Paris in 1314. In a new postscript to his outstanding account of the life and times of Jaques de Molay, Alain Demurger takes a cool look at the documents. Stripping away the hype he reveals their true significance for understanding the most famous trial in history, the motivations behind it, and its terrible outcome.

Genres: History, France, Nonfiction, Biography

300 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

Reviews

[Alan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was a member of the International Order of DeMolay as a teen and have had a keen interest throughout my life of Jacques DeMolay. This is a great reference type book, almost an academic look at the Templars. It does provide information about the Templar life of DeMolay, but not an insight to what his life and death signified.

[Brita Mackay · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's the greatest story of the Middle Ages, the end of the Order of the Templars. The Last Templar, is the pioneering investigation into the last days of the mighty Knights Templar and their last grand master, Jacques de Molay, by one of France's greatest medieval scholars.

I love history and the Order of the Templers is one of the greatest mysteries that I have ever found. The Tragedy of Jaques de Molay was an intriguing read for me as I found it to tell the detailed account of this last Grand Master of the Templer, even if it is written in a more scholarly textbook way, over it being written as a story.

I loved how much detail there was in this book though and there were so many different individuals that Alain Demurger was able to identify throughout the book itself. This isn't the kind of book that you can easily rush through reading. But, it is a fascinating read and you can learn so much not only about the Templers themselves but also about the Last Grand Master.

This book is a great read for anyone who has a keen interest in the Knights Templars. Especially as what is known about the templars is that they were one of the most influential orders in all of history, they were one of the most represented, and we all know that they were defamed and their name was tarnished and they were given a bad name by the Church all because of greed and jealousy.

I would highly recommend this book if you are interested in the history of the Templars and if you are interested in the Last Grand Master of the Templars. It is full of great insights and full of great information that isn't widely known.

[Gordon · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm giving it two stars only because I found it too detailed too read and the subject matter did not interest me as much as I thought it would. That's hardly the fault of the writer and is totally mine.

I'd imagine a reader with an interest in this subject who arrives at this book with previous knowledge of the area will find it useful.

[Doug Limbrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very detailed (text book) account of Jacques de Molay. Because there is so much detail and so many individuals identified throughout the book I found I had to read it very slowly. However I found it to be a fascinating read.

[Amin Dayekh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always had a keen interest in the Knight Templars, This book was carefully chosen and suggested by a friend of mine. The Order is one of the most influential orders in history and one of the most represented, defamed and tarnished.

[Charles Murray-Todd]

I'll let you know when I'm done.

[Melisende · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always enjoy re-reading this biography of the enigma that is Jacques de Molay.

[Tamia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Purchased by Rachael 9Aug 2005 at Westminster Abbey, London, England