> The Inquisition was the first attempt at having a fair trial Except where it wasn't. Philip IV of France specifically sanctioned torture to obtain specific c

> The Inquisition was the first attempt at having a fair trial Except where it wasn't. Philip IV of France specifically sanctioned torture to obtain specific confessions of defined types of heresy, in order to support his wish to deband the Templars, allowing him to sieze their land, gold and other assets. This was done in the name of the Inquisition. Later Pope Clement V tried to step in and moderate things somewhat. Many Templars recanted their earlier confessions.