CHAPTER VI.

The conquest of Jerusalem by the Carizmians--The slaughter of the Templars, and the death of the Grand Master--Rise and progress of the Comans--They are defeated and destroyed by the Templars--The exploits of the Templars in Egypt--King Louis of France visits the Templars in Palestine--He assists them in putting the country into a defensible state--Henry III., king of England, visits the Temple at Paris--The magnificent hospitality of the Templars in England and France--Bendoedar, sultan of Egypt, invades Palestine--He defeats the Templars, takes their strong fortresses, and decapitates six hundred of their brethren--The Grand Master comes to England for succour--The renewal of the war--The fall of Acre--The Templars establish their head-quarters in the island of Cyprus--Their alliance with the king of Persia--The reconquest of Jerusalem--The desolation of the Holy Land--The final extinction of the Templars in Palestine 180