Geoffroi de Charney - Initial Charges

Initial Charges

Geoffroi de Charney, along with the other Templars in France were arrested on October 13, 1307. Scores of charges were leveled at them, many were notably similar charges to those directed at other of Philip's enemies, such as heresy, sodomy and blasphemy.

There were five initial charges lodged against the Templars. The first was the renouncement of Christ and spitting on the cross during initiation into the Order. The second was the stripping of the man to be initiated and the thrice kissing of that man by the Preceptor on the navel, posteriors and the mouth. The third was telling the neophyte (novice) that unnatural lust was lawful and indulged in commonly. The fourth was that the cord worn by the neophyte day and night was "consecrated" by wrapping it around an idol in the form of a human head with a great beard, and that this idol was adored in all chapters. The fifth was that the priests of the order did not consecrate the host in celebrating Mass. Many of these charges were made against Boniface before his capture, escape and eventual death shortly thereafter in 1308. Philip's agents pursued these charges in the name of the French King of France as they were successful in the past against other enemies of the King. On August 12, 1308, the charges would be increased and would become more outrageous, one specifically stated that the Templars worshipped an idols, specifically made of a cat and a head, the latter having three faces. The lists of articles 86 to 127 would add many other charges.