In light of these revelations, the scholars learned, the French government had taken swift and decisive action. On the previous day—Friday, October 13—every Templar in France, up to and including the order’s grand master, Jacques de Molay, had been arrested by government agents. The order’s property had been impounded. Templar houses (known as preceptories or commanderies) had been seized and searched. Hundreds of Templars were now in prison.
