CHAPTER XVII
THE TRIAL OF THE TEMPLARS IN ENGLAND
philip the fair was not content to put the Templars
in France under restraint.    He wanted the brethren to be
indicted in every country in Christendom.   For the Order
could not be broken by the Pope unless it was shown that the
abuses had been universally practised, and until the Order
was broken Philip could not hope to seize the lands of the
Templars for himself.   The strength of the Temple outside
France was about ten thousand, and if these men were at
liberty they would be a perpetual menace.   They might stii
up strife against Philip and would almost certainly try to assis'
the French Templars.    It was not inconceivable that one p)
the kings who had previously been at war with Philip migh;
be induced to resume hostilities if assured of the support of
the Templars in England, Germany, Spain, Italy and else-
where, or that the Order itself might invade France, either
to save or to avenge the French Templars.   So long as action
against the Order was confined to his own kingdom, Philip^
was highly vulnerable.   The free Templars would at th^
least appeal to the Pope, and, as the Order was powerful in
every country, would probably obtain the backing of several
of the princes in representations to the papacy.   Clement
would find it difficult to resist such appeals, and might even
be glad to support them in order to escape from his bondage
to Philip.   If, however, the Templars were found guilty
throughout Christendom, the Pope would be helpless.
The situation had been carefully examined by Philip's
ministers before a single Templar was arrested in France,
and when the coup was brought off in the kingdom on
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