The end of the mighty Order of the Temple is one the great stories of the Middle Ages. In 1307 Philip the Fair, the devious King of France, brought one of the most powerful and wealthy institutions in the world to trial - and to an ignominious end. Jacques de Molay, the Temples last Grand Master, was at the heart of the events in which the chivalric ideal was ousted by treachery and greed. In this pioneering investigation one of Frances great medieval scholars describes Jacques de Molays dazzling career and provides a vivid retelling of the drama of his and his Orders last days. De Molays life took him from Burgundy to a career in the Middle East. Elected head of the Temple he had to face the loss of the Latin Crusader States. He withdrew to Cyprus and dreamed of the reconquest of Jerusalem. Summoned to France by the Pope for discussions, he was caught up in the King of Frances trap, and burned at the stake for refusing to repudiate his order