The namesake of the Order of DeMolay was born in Vitrey, Department of Haute Saone, France in the year 1244. At the age of 21, a man named Jacques DeMolay joined the Order of Knights Templar.

 

The Knights Templar was an organization sanctioned by the Roman Catholic Church in 1128 to guard the road between Jerusalem and Acre, an important port city on the Mediterranean Sea. The Order of Knights Templar participated in the Crusades and earned a name for valor and heroism.

 

With many nobles and princes sending their sons to join the Knights Templar, the Order also became very wealthy and popular throughout Europe. Sometimes considered a "banker for the world."

 

In 1298, Jacques DeMolay was named Grand Master of the Knights Templar, a position of power and prestige. As Grand Master however, Jacques DeMolay was also in a difficult position. The Crusades were not achieving their goals. The non-Christian Saracens defeated the Crusaders in battle and captured many vital cities and posts. The Knights Templar and the Hospitalers (another Order of Knights) were the only groups remaining to confront the Saracens.

                                                     

                                                      The Knights Templar decided to reorganize and regain their strength. They traveled to the island of Cyprus,                                                               waiting for the general public to rise up in support of another Crusade.

 

                                                      Instead of public support, however, the Knights attracted the attention of powerful lords, who were interested                                                             in obtaining their wealth and power. In 1305, Philip the Fair, King of France, set about to obtain control of the                                                             Knights Templars. They had been accountable only to the Church. To prevent a rise in the power of the                                                                    Church, and to increase his own wealth, Philip set out to take over the Knights.

 

                                                      The year 1307 saw the beginning of the persecution of the Knights. Jacques DeMolay, along with hundreds                                                              of others, were seized and thrown into dungeons. For seven years, DeMolay and the Knights suffered torture                                                            and inhuman conditions. While the Knights did not end, Philip managed to force Pope Clement to condemn                                                              the Templars. Their wealth and property were confiscated and given to Philip's supporters.

 

                                                     During years of torture, Jacques DeMolay continued to be loyal to his friends and Knights. He refused to                                                                    disclose the location of the funds of the Order, and he refused to betray his comrades. On March 18, 1314,                                                                DeMolay was tried by a special court. As evidence, the court depended on a forged confession, allegedly                                                                  signed by DeMolay.

 

                                                     Jacques DeMolay disavowed the forged confession. Under the laws of the time, the disavowal of a confession                                                          was punishable by death. Another Knight, Geoffrey de Charney, likewise disavowed his confession and stood with                                               with Jacques DeMolay.

 

 

 

 

King Philip ordered them both to be burned at the stake that day, and thus the story of Jacques DeMolay became a testimonial to loyalty and friendship.

 

It was this story that struck the hearts of the original nine members of DeMolay. They heard this story, and felt the morals of friendship and loyalty. Thus the name of their new youth group was decided on that day, and forevermore the youth group was known as "Members of DeMolay." Today DeMolay has spread around the world producing over 4 million leaders, with many more leaders still on the way.