it shall happen to be otherwise ordered concerning them in these J AUKS M parts. * Λ* D. 1307. A few days after the transmission of this letter, king Edward wrote to the pope, expressing his disbelief of the horrible and detestable rumours spread abroad concerning the Templars. He represents them to his holiness as universally respected by all men in his dominions for the purity of their faith aud morals. H e expresses great sympathy for the affliction and distress suffered by the master and brethren, by reason of the scandal circulated concerning them ; and he strongly urges the holy pontiff to clear, by some fair course of inquiry, the character of the order from the unjust and infamous aspersions cast against it.+ On the 22nd of November, however, a fortnight previously, the Pope had issued the following bull to king Edward. * Clement, bishop, servant of the servants of God, to his very dear son in Christ, Edward, the illustrious king of England, health and apostolical blessing " Presiding, though unworthy, on the throne of pastoral preeminence, by the disposition of him who disposeth all things, we fervently seek after this one thing above all others -, we with ardent wishes aspire to this, that shaking off the sleep of negligence, whilst watching over the Lord's flock, by removing that which is hurtful, and taking care of such things as are profitable, we may be able, by the divine assistance, to bring souls to God." ^ " In truth, a long time ago, about the period of our first promotion to the summit of the apostolical dignity, there came lo our ears a light rumour, to the effect that the Templars, though fight * Dat. apud Redvng, 4 die Decembria. Conairailcs lïtterœ diriguiUur Ferando regi Castillo: et Ligioiùs, consanguineo regis, domino Karolo, regi Sicime, et Jacobo regi Aragonia}, amico Regis. Acta tìtfmeri, toro. iii. ad ann. 1307, p. 35, 3li. r Acta itymeri, toro. iii. p. 37, ad arm, 1307.