An order in council was made for the arrest of the Templars, and JAH » ns tie seizure of their property. Inventories were directed to be Λ, n°Vsw. taken of their goods and chattels, and provision was made for the sowing and tilling of their lands during the period of their imprisonment.* This order in council was carried into effect in the following manner : On the 20th of December, the king's writs were directed to each of the sheriffs throughout England, commanding thein to make sure of certain trustworthy men of their bailiwicks, to the number of ten or twelve in each county, such as the king could best confide in, and have them at a certain place in the county, on pain of forfeiture of everything that could be forfeited to the king ; and commanding the sheriffs, on pain of the like forfeiture, to be in person at the same place, on the Sunday before the feast of Epiphany, to do certain things touching the king's peace, which the sheriff would find contained in the king's writ about to be directed to him. And afterwards the king sent sworn clergymen with his writs, containing the said order in council to the sheriffs, who, before they opened them, were to take an oath that they would not disclose the contents of such writs until they proceeded to execute them.+ The same orders, to be acted upon in a similar manner in Ireland, were sent to the justiciary of that country, and to the treasurer of the Exchequer at Dublin ; also, to John de Richemund, guardian of Scotland ; and to Walter de Pederton, justiciary of West Wales; Hugh de Aldithelegh, justiciary of North Wales ; and to Robert de Holland, justiciary of Chester, who were strictly commanded to carry the orders into execution before the king's proceedings against the Templars in England were noised abroad. All the king's faithful subjects were commanded to aid and assist the officers in the fulfilment of their duty.J * Acta Itymeri, torn. iii. p. 34, 35, ad «un. 1307. fluid, p. 34, 35. Î Ibid. p. 45. Ρ