The Last Templar: The Tragedy of Jacques de Molay Last Grand Master of the Temple

by Alain Demurger

In the wake of the phenomenal success of The Da Vinci Code, interest in the Knights Templar has never been higherùand their final days is one of the great stories of the Middle Ages. This pioneering study investigates the decline and fall of the mighty Knights Templar and their last Grand Master.



Between 1307 and 1310, Pope Clement V and the devious King Philip the Fair of France brought to trial the crusading Order of the Knights of the Temple, one of the most powerful institutions of the medieval world. Jacques de Molay, the Temple's last Grand Master, was at the heart of the events in which the chivalric ideal was ousted by treachery and greed. Here, Alain Demurger traces Jacques de Molay's dazzling career and provides a vivid retelling of the drama of his and his Order's last days. A compelling account of one of the most gruesome episodes in European history.

Genres: History, France, Nonfiction, Biography

282 pages, Hardcover

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.

[Ixel Balamke · Rating 3 out of 5]

I take so far and I'm almost 3/4 way through the book. The author has a background in Medieval history and soldiers, which does add to the context of the book. With that being said, there isn't any factual information about De Molay until his interviews and trials after his arrest. In other words, there is a lot speculation about his life, although the author does due diligence with known aspects of this time period.

[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