HOC ANTIQUUM CASTELLUM VULGO DICTUM LA TRINITÉ HENRICUS DE MARCK TRIPOLI COMES DE PANISSE-PASSIS ET MARIA THERESA DE ROBIN DE BARBENTANE EJUS UXOR INSTAURAVERUNT BEATÆQUE MARIAE VIRGINI IMMACULATAE TESTIMONIUM FIDEI AC PIETATIS DEDICAVERUNT ANNO DOMINI MDCCCLXIII. The tower alone has been restored in the manner shewn by the sketches; all the other portions remain undisturbed in their ruins. The rooms in the tower are only 10 ft. 6 in. long by 7 ft. wide, and there is no indication of any other habitation connected with the fort. The place has all the appearance of a typical robber’s stronghold, and, as James V. said of a similar Scottish keep, “He that built it was a thief in his heart.” According to tradition, La Trinité was originally a keep of the Templars. That order had extensive possessions in this part of Provence, and they may have erected this tower as a post for watching and giving notice of the approach of an enemy. After the suppression of the order La Trinité passed into the possession of the Mathurins or Redfriars. They were also called the Order of the Trinity, and their special duty was to succour prisoners. The name of the tower may possibly have been derived from them. The chapel is 29 ft. long by 14 ft. wide, and the raised step at the east end is still traceable. The [Illustration: FIG. 215. TOWER OF LA TRINITÉ (_from the S.W._)] walls have been about 8 ft. 6 in. high to the plain ovalo forming the string course from which sprung the semi-circular barrel vault of the roof. From the upper platform of the fortress a splendid view is obtained (Fig. 215), especially to the northwards, comprising St Paul-du-Var in the middle distance, and Vence backed by the towering precipices of St Jeannet. Beneath these stood the powerful Commandery of the Templars at St Martin (to be afterwards described), from which a signal at their watch-tower of La Trinité would be easily observed. [Illustration: FIG. 216. BIOT.]