Hey Gang! I have been reading a book entitled, Lost Secrets of the Sacred Ark, by Laurence Gardner. On page 234 (Hardback) I stumbled across the following: "Despite the Templars' abandonment of any papal affiliation, this new Order was not apparent as a Templar institution, and since the Pope held the international reins of Chivalric Orders, a meeting was necessary fro registration. Gaston de la Pierre Phoebus was the senior representative for the mission, and Pope John agreed to issue a Charter so long as his own nephew, Jacques de Via, became the operative Grand Master. However, de Via died on 6th May 1317, and the position immediately became vacant, whereupon the Knights elected Guidon de Montanor (who was then in Scotland), and they duly returned with the necessary Charter of Incorporation, which they present to King Robert." Anyone know who this Via may be?? Brenda Clark Albemarle County, VA