Welcome to Noble Blood, a production of I Heart Radio and Grim and Mild from

Aaron Manky, listener discretion advised.

In 1314, many bewitched events occur, which you will hear recounted if you stay

near me. So begins the account of the year 1314 in one medieval chronicle and

dear listener that unknown writer was not wrong. 1314 was an exceptionally

dramatic year for France. At this time the country was ruled by Philip IV, a

member of the Capitian dynasty, which had occupied the throne since 987.

The king was commonly known as Philip Lebel or Philip the Fair after his

striking good looks, but his less appealing qualities also inspired several

less flattering nicknames. For his ruthlessness, self-righteousness, and moral

absoluteness, some called him the Roy De Fair or the Iron King. Dante,

Allegheri took it even further, referring to Philip in his inferno as the Plague

of France. As you might have guessed, Philip's 29-year reign was filled with

controversy. He battled with the Pope, the Flemish, the English, and the Jews of

France among others, but few years of his reign would be as eventful as 1314.

1314 was the year that Philip finally won his war against the Knight's

Templar, a religious order heavily involved in banking and trading. Philip had

begun arresting the Templars in 1307, alleging that they were heretics. His

motives here weren't entirely pure. Philip was heavily indebted to the

Templars and, while destroying the Order's offices, the king found a way to

also transfer their assets to his treasury. By 1314, nearly all of the French

Templars had been exiled or executed, and Philip sealed his victory with a

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