Sisters of The Bruce 1292-1314 (Abridged Version )

Sisters of The Bruce: Part 2; Chapter1.10

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Scotland

December 1307

With the southwest in the capable hands of his lieutenants, the Bruce headed north with a small force to link with Bishop David of Moray. Upon his return from Orkney, the valiant cleric raised the north in the name of the Scots' king. This pincer strategy worked well for it allowed Robert and his captains to concentrate on bringing the southwest into a manageable state of submission.

In the far north, Inverness Castle was reduced to ashes and the town's English incomers decimated by the bishop and his men. However, it was in the lands of the Earl of Ross –  supporter of the English king and the man who had orchestrated the capture of the Bruce women – that Robert gathered a formidable army of three thousand men. Prior to this, he captured Inverlochy and went on to Loch Ness, site of the great Urquhart Castle, before crossing to the northeast, attacking Nairn and Elgin on the way. Bruce threatened the Earl of Ross for tribute lest his lands and property receive the same treatment. Ross sent an urgent appeal for help. With time short and the distance far, aid was not forthcoming. Could it be that the English monarch lacked interest in the machinations of the far north? Inevitably, the earl capitulated to the Scots' king who, to ensure ongoing compliance, took several of his adult children hostage. Bruce then sent a force over to the east to take on the Comyns. Once again, Edward proved a liability to his brother, exacting a violent retribution far in excess of what Robert anticipated.

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It was around this time that news filtered through from Scots' diplomats in France regarding King Philippe and his attempts to annihilate the Knights Templar. In order to pay for his costly wars with England, he had borrowed heavily and now sought to erase these debts. It was a time-honoured strategy; with the loan merchants removed – more often than not by mobs incited to violence – all debts ceased to exist. But the French king had a far broader strategy.

During the time of David I, the Knights Templar developed a preceptory and grange at Balantrodoch in the Lothian area of Scotland. Given some had fought under Edward I at the Battle of Falkirk and the ongoing political scene in Scotland, investigations were set in place to ascertain where the Knights Templar stood in relation to the present conflict in Scotland. With the passing of their commander who favoured the English, circumstances changed. None knew exactly, but it could be said the preceptory flourished around this time; a stone church, marked by its Templar cross, was built on the lush banks of a burn, adding to the many grange buildings.

In France, the warrior monks accumulated wealth and power and were answerable to the Pope rather than to the king. In challenging King Philippe's authority, and his vanity, their position became increasingly precarious. As the crowned King of Scots, Robert found himself in an intriguing position: Scotland was impoverished from almost two decades of war and he would have liked the financial backing of the local Knights Templar. But for many years, the strategy of the community of the realm had been to consolidate an alliance with France against England. In addition, numerous forays were made to influence the Pope and enhance Scotland's legitimate claim as an independent nation. When the Pope at Avignon came under the sway of the French king, the Order lost its Papal safety net.

With great secrecy, Philippe put in place a plan for a nationwide neutering of the organisation. On Friday 13 October, all Templar commanderies were attacked. The leaders as well as many knights were imprisoned. In one fell swoop, the king hoped to catch in his web the great wealth of the Templars, but it was spirited away beforehand from the shores of France. The refugees sought sanctuary in England, Portugal and, some say, Scotland. Many others remained behind in the bowels of Chinon Castle and the like, to await their fate. In most countries, Templar property passed to a rival order, the Hospitallers. Being subject to an excommunication decree, King Robert was not overly inclined to enforce this and, quite wisely, left his options open.