ტამპლიერების ორდენის საბრალდებო პროცესის ინტერპრეტაცია

The scientific study of the phenomenon of military-religious orders still raises a special interest of researchers and does not lose its relevance, despite the fact that nine centuries have passed from the creation of these organizations. It’s quite natural as the orders have played an important role, both in the Crusades and in the relations between the East and the West.
The subject of the present scientific research is a new understanding and interpretation of the trial of the Knights Templar. The Order raises interest and disagreement among researchers of all times since its foundation. Despite there are not only numerous studies and monographs on the Knights Templar, but one could say an entire library, there are still many questions that require further clarification.
For two centuries, the Templars used to play an important role not only in the epopee of the Crusaders, but also in the history of relations between the Christian and Islamic worlds, in the diplomacy of that period, and in the development of civilization. They created a strong military institution, the richest international organization, transnational character of which, its independent politics and influence turned out to be unacceptable for King Philip IV of France. On October 13, 1307, all members of the Knights Templar were arrested throughout France. A great inquisition trial began against them, which lasted for seven years. In 1312, Pope Clemens V officially disbanded the order. We think that the great interest in the tragic history of the order, along with many other factors, was caused by the long-term anti-heresy trial against them, where the power of the king and the influence of the Order intersected.
Seven centuries have passed from the destruction of the Knights Templars, but the interest towards the order has not faded; their activities are not evaluated unambiguously either. Even today, a number of accusations, secrets and myths are attributed to them. The most important for understanding of true colors of the order, is their trial process, which has been interpreted by different authors throughout the centuries in different ways.
Interpretations of the trial of the Knights Templar are diverse and also varied. In 2001, the Italian historian Barbara Frale discovered an original document in the Vatican's secret archives, the „Chinon Parchment“, which completely changes the interpretations that have existed so far and leads to a radical reassessment, revision and renewal of viewpoints on the order. The „Chinon Parchment“ refutes the accusations of heresy of the Templars and restores the historical reality of the order.
The purpose of our research is to study the Knights Templar on the basis of various sources and scientific literature and to analyzes it anew, in the discourse of the trial. To achieve the goal of the research, we have considered it necessary to solve the following tasks:
1. To analyse the historical context of the Trial; why it became possible to organize a similar trial for the Knights Templars in 14th century.
2. To study accusations, testimonies, interrogation protocols and interpretation of the order's trial.
3. To analyse the „Chinon Parchment“ and its significance in interpreting the Templars’ trial.
4. To study public opinion regarding the trial.
The history of the Templars goes beyond the Middle Ages. Even today, the Order continues active functioning as Neo-Templars and they are very popular, therefore it is important to highlight their history realistically. The issue is interesting for us as the Templars were in touch with the monks of Georgian Monastery of Cross in Jerusalem. It is also worth noting that the organization of Georgian Neo-templars, founded in 2010, is functioning today in Georgia.
The present scientific research is the first precedent of a monographic study regarding the Knights Templar in Georgian historiography, in which the trial of the Order is being analyzed in a new way based on the „Chinon Parchment“, which in itself is a scientific novelty of the work. It is noteworthy that in 2006, according to the information disseminated by the mass media, Pope Benedict XVI dropped the charges from the Order, which was later not confirmed. The „Chinon Parchment“ discovered by Barbara Frale played a crucial role in the dissemination of this information. According to Frale, the study of the „Chinon Parchment“ confirmed that the Templars were never excommunicated. Therefore, from a moral and religious point of view, they are rehabilitated.
In spite of the fact, that an official Vatican has not yet discussed the issue of rehabilitation of the Knights Templar, it still publish a copy of the Chinon Parchment in 2007.