En cours de chargement...
...'Chevalier Auguste de Cavallon, accompanied the Grand Master's escort from the port to Paris. He conscientiously drank the drops prescribed by the doctor, and as a result he gained peace of mind and sound sleep. The Templars entered Paris from the southern suburbs. The inhabitants of the suburbs, young and old, poured out to look at the legendary knights. Their eyes met a spectacle worthy of a painter's brush: forty knights in armor rode on beautiful thoroughbred horses, decorated with blankets with a Templar cross.
In front of the cortege rode the Grand Master de Molay on an Arabian horse. To the right of the Grand Master rode a standard-bearer with the standard of the order: a white rectangular banner with a red equal-pointed cross. All the knights and the Grand Master were dressed in white satin cloaks with the symbol of the Order. To the general jubilation of the inhabitants, the Templars proceeded into the city and, passing the bridge over the Seine, headed to the city center.
Notre Dame Cathedral remained on the right, the escort turned towards the palace, near which a crowd of courtiers had gathered. For the first time, Auguste de Cavallon saw so many beautiful women in elegant expensive clothes. King Philip IV the Handsome personally met the Grand Master and greeted the knights. They exchanged social courtesies."I am happy to welcome you to Paris, Monsignor, " the king said respectfully.
"I hope the trip was pleasant. As soon as you settle into your residence Temple, I'll wait for you at the Louvre. I recently had a son, and I would like you to become his godfather.""This is a great honor for me, sir! I dare to make my modest contribution to the welfare and prosperity of France. I beg you to accept it, Sire[ Polite address to the king in accordance with his status.]!"De Molay waved his hand, and two knights presented King Philip with a chest filled with golden florins.
After bows, promises to see the king as often as possible, the Templars proceeded to their residence, Temple Castle. The Knights Templar began in the 12th century, first constructing a fort Old Temple in Le Marais, district in Paris. In the 13th century, a new fortress was built as their European headquarters. The enclosure, called enclos du Temple, originally featured a number of buildings important to the running of The Order, and included a church and a massive turreted keep known as Great Tower that housed a number of prized possessions of The Order, and a smaller tower called Caesar's Tower.
Later Castle Temple, well fortified, with watchtowers, it looked more like a military fortress than a residence. The interior decoration of the residence testified to the financial wealth of the owner, in the role of which Order acted. Italian furniture made of cherry and pear impressed with the elegance of forms, at the same time successfully combined with English carvings. The castle was well planned.
If outwardly it seemed like a military fortress, then inside everything provided for a convenient and comfortable life. The knights were placed in the eastern wing of the Temple, specially designed to receive a large number of guests. With Chevalier de Cavallon in the room were: Comte[ Title of Count in French.] Gofroy de Murray, Vicomtes[ A French nobleman corresponding in rank to a viscount.] Henri de Montpellier and Gottfried de Carcassonne.
Auguste was about the same age as Gottfried of Carcassonne, so both were sincerely happy to be around. They met on the ship, on the way to France, constantly talking about the Languedoc. Of course, Auguste had absolutely no idea how Languedoc lives. He had not been in his homeland for many years, and Gottfried had recently arrived from Languedoc. Auguste did not know a lot of things that for Gottfried seemed simple and ordinary.'...