Esquieu de Floyrac
Esquieu de Floyrac was a French coprior who was instrumental in the downfall of the public Templar Order.
Biography
Floyrac was originally the coprior of the monastery of Montfaucon. At some point, he was imprisoned along with a renegade Templar. Over time, the Templar told Floyrac of the Templars' many supposed misdeeds. In order to lessen his punishment, Floyrac allied himself with King Philip IV of France, and plotted with him to bring down the Templars.
In the early hours of 13 October 1307, Floyrac led a group of Philip's knights towards the gates of the Temple in Paris. The Templar at the gate refused to let Floyrac in, reminding him that he was not welcome there. After showing him Philip's arrest warrant, the Templar reluctantly opened the gate, only to be killed by Floyrac. Afterwards, the knights emerged, and Floyrac led them in battle against the Templars, proving successful in capturing Grand Master Jacques de Molay.
Gallery
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Floyrac speaking to a Templar guard -
Floyrac showing the King's warrant to the Templar -
Floyrac with the King's men lying in wait -
Floyrac killing the gate guard
Reference