CHAPTER X. The Templare in France revoke their rack-extorted confessions—They are tried as relapsed heretics, and burnt at the stake—The progress of the inquiry in England—The curious evidence adduced as to the mode of holding the chapters of the order—As to the penance enjoined therein, and the absolution pronounced by the Master/—The Templars draw up a written defence, which they present to the ecclesiastical council—They are placed in separate dungeons, and put to the torture—Two serving brethren and a chaplain of the order then make confessions—Many other Templars acknowledge themselves guilty of heresy in respect of their belief in the religious authority of their Master^—They make their recantatjon&,and are reconciled to the church before the south door of Saint Paul's cathedral—The order of the Temple is abolished by the Pope—The last of the Masters of the Temple in England dies in the Tower—The disposal of the property of the order—Observations on the downfall of the Templars. Veggio Ί nuovo Pilato sì crudele. Che ciò noi sazia, ma, senza decreto Porta nel TBHPIO le cupide vele. Dante. Del Purgatorio. Canto xx. 91. IR France, on the other hand, the proceedings against the JAMS* DB order had assumed a most sanguinary character. Many Tern- A.D. 1310. piare, both in the capital and the provinces, bad made confessions of guilt whilst suffering upon the rack, but they had no sooner been released from the hands of their tormentors, and had recovered their health, than they disavowed their confessions,