Matthew Paris' Chronica Majora and the Knights Templar Commandery in Paris

This paper explores Matthew Paris' references to the Old Temple commandery in Paris inside his Chronica Majora, with a particular focus on Henry III reception in Paris in 1251. Known during 13th century as the «Vetus Templum», the estate position in the core of the medieval city – near the Seine riverbank – is certified by several reports. Nevertheless, Matthew Paris' reference on it as being set «extra civitatem» may create confusion with the wider Templars' commandery built in the northern periphery of Paris (the Enclos du Temple). If the Vetus Templum is known as in the city centre, why does he indicates it as outside the «civitatem»? What does it mean the term «civitatem»? These issues can be readily addressed with a large range of documents and graphical sources preserved in Parisian archives.