or Molasses, Jacques de, the last grand-master of the Templars, was born of a noble family in Burgundy, and entered his order about 1265. In a short time his bravery against the Infidels raised him to note. He succeeded William de Beaujeau as grand-master of the Templars, and was present at the recovery of Jerusalem in 1299. Subsequent reverses compelled him in 1305 to retreat to Cyprus to recruit his forces. It was then that he was recalled to France for the alleged purpose of assisting in effecting a union between his own order and that of the Knights Hospitallers; but the real object was different. Philip the Fair, with the connivance of Pope Clement V., had resolved to fill his empty exchequer with the great wealth of the Templars, even at the cost of their complete destruction. At the same time he knew that public opinion, offended at their dissoluteness and excessive pride, would easily be reconciled to their downfall. Accordingly, after soothing down all suspicion by a series of notable favours which he bestowed on Molai, he suddenly, on the 13th of October 1307, caused the whole order throughout France to be arrested, and their effects to be seized. On the same day he took up his abode in the luxurious palace of the Temple at Paris. The Templars were tried before inquisitors on the charges of heresy and immorality. On being subjected to the torture of the rack, some chose to die rather than criminate themselves unjustly, while others confessed themselves guilty of the crimes alleged. Among the latter was the grand-master Molai. However, when brought soon afterwards before the papal commissioners, he retracted his confession, and demanded the liberty of pleading his cause before the supreme pontiff himself. But the pope had already satisfied his mind on the subject, and accordingly he abolished the order of the Temple in 1312. Meanwhile Molai was lying in prison at Paris. At length, in 1314, he was tried along with three other Templars, and as he still persisted in retracting his former confession, was condemned to be burnt alive. He protested with his last breath the innocence of himself and of his order.