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originally posted by: firerescue
a reply to: Coeruleum
The Templars ran the first international banking system - if going on a pilgrimage or crusade in the Holy Land , one didnot simply travel dragging along bags of gold/silver coins. Too easy to get lost or robbed
One went to a Templar Commandry and deposited their coin. One would get a coded letter indicating the value of the deposited coin, the first bank book The Templars had invented codes to prevent forgery , codes known only to them
Travelers could get to Templar Commandry and cash in their letter, the letter would be updated reflecting the new value
Templars also lent money , to get around the prohibition on charging interest would "rent" they money charging rent
This put many princes in hock to the Templars giving King Philip IV (The Fair) an excuse for suppressing the Templars
He got the Pope, Clement V, his stooge to dissolve the order, Only the Pope could dissolve the order as was created by Papal Bull.
To lend moral authority to the destruction of the Templars charged then with Hersey (preaching false doctrine), Blasphemy (denying the faith) and sodomy (Homosexuality) The last was probably true