Don't really see what the problem with the coolest character from Kingdom of Heaven destroying the Templars is. I mean, aside from the obvious RP reason, there isn't really a big gameplay hit for doing so.
However, the key thing to remember (as you pointed out) is that Philip was only able to disenfranchise and slay the Templars once he had intervened in the papal succession, appointed a French pope and ensured that the Papacy was moved to Avignon. With the Holy Father as his pawn, it would have been much easier for Philip to attack an important Christian establishment like the Templars.
Key factor was that the Templars had many holdings across the Europe and the most of them were in France. Philip IV was also in their debt and the Templars were rumored to be fabulously wealthy. With a single blow the king of France was able to size all of their holdings in his realm and relieve the Crown (read: himself) of debt. I am not sure if he found large stockpiles of gold though. Sometimes rumors are just rumors. Lost of the Holy Land wasn't the first, nor the most important reason to their demise.Kurt_Steiner said:You're forgetting a key factor: Holy Land was lost, thus making the Templars useless.
It's perfect! Remember that it was squabbling of nobles that led to destruction of the Kingdom of Jerusalem.AlexanderPrimus said:Granted Jerusalem should not have super-strong crown authority (it's no Angevin England after all), but under minimum crown authority, the realm is basically in chaos. It's like Ireland-type chaos. You can't even appoint army generals under minimum authority. You can't prevent internecine warfare until medium.
Key factor was that the Templars had many holdings across the Europe and the most of them were in France. Philip IV was also in their debt and the Templars were rumored to be fabulously wealthy. With a single blow the king of France was able to size all of their holdings in his realm and relieve the Crown (read: himself) of debt. I am not sure if he found large stockpiles of gold though. Sometimes rumors are just rumors. Lost of the Holy Land wasn't the first, nor the most important reason to their demise.
It's not possible to fabricate claims to duchies. You can only usurp them, and only then if you have 2/3 of the required territories.