The Curse of Friday the 13th

October 13, 1307 - It was Friday and King Philip IV of France ordered the mass arrest of the Knights Templar. Lots of innocent people were rounded up and hauled off to prison and torture chambers.

At the time, these knights were part of a highly respected and legally recognized order with origins going back to the crusades when they provided protection to Christian pilgrims. Over the next two centuries, they became incredibly powerful — building castles and fortresses all over Europe. Its members were powerful leaders, many serving as bankers to the kings.

France’s Philip IV was one of those kings who was deeply indebted to the Templars. They had bankrolled his wars and even served as his treasurers, but now as he faced financial ruin he turned on his creditors.

Philip started by spreading rumors and fake news about the Templars being an evil horde of devil-worshipping heretics. He said they spat on the cross and performed all kinds of whacked-out initiations and sacrifices. The Pope, under intense pressure from Phillip, gave the green light for the bogus inquisition.

Acting under secret warrants, royal troops seized hundreds of knights and accused them of heresy, blasphemy, and devil worship. After suffering brutal torture, many confessed to the trumped-up charges. Their Grand Master, Jacques de Molay, was eventually burned at the stake. Legend has it that he cursed the king and pope as he died. Within a year, both men were dead.

Friday the 13th sealed its reputation as a day of ill omens and bad luck.