THE KNIGHTS TEMPLARS
the clergy and inquisitors of France, and said that the brethren
would henceforth be dealt with by the Holy See,
News of this surprising volte-face reached the Templars
imprisoned in France. On learning that Clement had
reversed his decision and declared himself the protector of the
Order, the brethren regained hope. De Payraud, the Pre-
ceptor of Normandy, who had made so abject a confession
before William of Paris, revoked his avowals and swore that
he was innocent when questioned by Cardinal Berenger de
Fredol and Cardinal Stephen de Suizi, whom the Pope had
sent to Paris as his legates. Other Templars in the royal
gaols who stood self-condemned by their testimonies before
the Inquisition likewise asserted that they were guiltless and
that the confessions had been torn from them by torture,
under which they had been willing to admit anything and
everything.
Philip was faced with the ruin of all his plans at a time
when he thought himself impregnable. He had gone too far
to retreat, and his kingdom might be forfeit if he now failed
to crush the Temple and permitted such defiance on the part
of the papacy. The situation demanded quick action, and
Philip's ministers were equal to the emergency. The
propaganda machine was set in operation again and never had
it worked so furiously. Ever since their arrest the Templars
had been the subject of a continuous stream of condemnation
in speeches and proclamations, and now the campaign against
them was intensified. But it was not enough to vilify the
Templars. The Pope must also be attacked and made to,
cower before France. Clement had laid himself open to;
criticism by distributing the great offices of the Church among
his friends and relatives and by selling appointments, and
Philip's propagandists fiercely assailed him as a betrayer of
the interests of the Church and an enemy to the Christian
faith.
These attacks, however, were not made in Philip's name,