THE   TRIAL   OF   THE  TEMPLARS   IN   FRANCE	299
respite of two days and the Grand Master was removed in
custody.
On November 28th de Molay appeared before the com-
missioners for the second time, and the question was
repeated: Did he wish to defend the Order?
De Molay: From the letters you read to me, I know that
the Pope has reserved myself and the other great officers
of the Order for his own judgment and I therefore refuse
to enter any defence before this commission. I demand
to be led before his Holiness. I shall defend the Order
from the wicked and false accusations made by its enemies
and render to Christ the honour that is due to him. Like
everyone else, I have only a mortal span of years, and
perhaps little time remains for me to say what I have to
say. Let the Pope call me before him without delay and,
so far as in me lies, I shall defend the Order to the glory
of God and His Church.
Court: It is true that his Holiness has reserved you for
his own judgment, and we are not concerned with you
as an individual. But we are empowered to investigate
the Order as a whole, and we ask whether you will
defend it?
De Molay: I decline to make any defence before youj
but lest it be said I concur in the truth of the charges
against the Order, I wish to ask you to think of the reputa-
tion and deeds of the Temple. There is no Order with
richer churches and more beautiful religious relics, vessels
and ornaments, or in whose churches the services are con-
ducted with more dignity and reverence by the priests.
There Is no Order which is more generous with its charity,
for the Rule of the Order requires alms to be given thrice
a week in every preceptory. There is no Order which
has fought more tenaciously and courageously and shed