July 1293 A.D. – Rome

Jacques de Molay was grateful to get an audience with the Pope. As he was ushered into Boniface’s presence he quickly gathered his thoughts. He took a deep breath to gain composure. The Pope was seated behind an impressive, ornate desk. He gestured to a free chair placed on the other side. And Jacques sat down and waited for Pope Boniface to open the conversation.

“Grand Master, it is a pleasure to find you well. I trust your journey from Cyprus was uneventful?”

De Molay replied in the affirmative.

“I understand from your letter, that you ask for assistance in obtaining the privileges for your new base that were enjoyed by the headquarters at Acre. Perhaps you can tell me exactly what you have in mind?”

The Grand Master was well prepared for this opportunity and launched into a detailed explanation of his plans. The main thrust of his argument was that to secure the Templar garrison in Cyprus would require significant exports from their estates in Europe. Particularly from Spain, Portugal, France and England.

The cost would be huge, and would be exacerbated by the onerous customs duties imposed by European monarchs. Jacques requested a letter from Boniface to each of the rulers suggesting that these duties could be waived.

The Pope had been shocked himself at the speed with which the Templars had been expelled from Acre. And he was aware that if his own plans for a new Grand Crusade were to be realised, a strong Templar force was imperative. Jacques was therefore pressing at an open door. And he was able to obtain the letters he required.

It was the start of a firm friendship between Pope Boniface and Jacques de Molay. Throughout the three years of his journey around the western Christian states, mutual gifts of land and influence were exchanged between the two men.