Did you know?
Have you ever heard of paraskevidekatriaphobia? It’s the intense fear of Friday the 13th. A mental disorder is one thing, but many believe that on this day, you could break your arm just reaching for a toast, let alone other potential misfortunes. Where did this superstition come from? You guessed it. From the Middle Ages.
On October 13, 1307, by order of King Philip IV, all the leaders of the Templars were arrested. The monks were accused of all sorts of vile acts, including sodomy, worshiping a magical head, spitting on the cross, and many others. The list of charges had as many as 127 points. The Order of the Poor Knights of Christ and the Temple of Solomon (Lat. Fratres Militiae Templi, Pauperes Commilitones Christi Templique Salomonis) was powerful, but so was King Philip IV known as the Fair and his supporters. Tortured, the Templars quickly confessed to all the alleged deeds and even added a few new ones. They were burned at the stake along with the Grand Master.

