Pope Clement had invited both Grand Masters…

Pope Clement had invited both Grand Masters to France in 1306 to discuss the matter of the accusations against them.

De Molay had arrived first in early 1307, but de Villaret had been delayed for several months.

While waiting, De Molay and Clement have discussed charges that had been made two years prior by an ousted Templar.

It is generally agreed that the charges are false, but Clement sends King Philip IV of France a written request for assistance in the investigation.

King Philip is already deeply in debt to the Templars from his war with the English and decides to seize upon the rumors for his own purposes.

He begins pressuring the Church to take action against the Order, as a way of freeing himself from his debts.

On Friday, October 13, 1307, Philip orders de Molay and scores of other French Templars to be simultaneously arrested, and sequesters all the Templars' property in France.

The Templars are charged with numerous heresies and tortured to extract false confessions of blasphemy.

The trials are based on these confessions, despite having been obtained under duress, caused a scandal in Paris.

After more bullying from Philip, Pope Clement then issues the bill Pastoralis Praeeminentiae on November 22, 1307, which instructs all Christian monarchs in Europe to arrest all Templars and seize their assets.