How were the Templars so easily exterminated by Philip IV?

by SirRosstopher

Were they confined to France? Did they not have strongholds elsewhere?

CheruthCutestory

Phillip V essentially arrested every Templar in France he could get his hands on. He had them "interrogated" (basically tortured) and forced them to write out confessions to truly outrageous things.

These confessions were brought to Clement V, who was already under Phillip's power, before the Pope could condemn the mass arrest. There wasn't much he could do. The Pope disbanded the order completely. He took their property and possessions (what Phillip hadn't already confiscated) and gave it to the Hospitalers. The remaining Templars were reassigned to other orders. Without official recognition, assets, or a united membership base they easily faded away.