Influential Grand Masters

The men who shaped the Order and the Middle Ages

Robert de Craon 1109-69

Although he was known as ‘the Burgundian’, Craon was born in the French province of Anjou. He rose to become second grand master of the Knights Templar in 1136. Craon was serving as grand master when Pope Innocent II issued his papal bull titled Omne Datum Optimum, granting extensive privileges to the Knights Templar.

Everard des Barres 1113-74

Known for his bravery and piety, Everard des Barres was serving as preceptor of the Knights Templar in France when he was elected grand master in 1147. Shortly after his election, he travelled to the Holy Land with King Louis VII of France. It is believed that the Templars were given the right to wear the red cross of martyrdom on their robes at this time.

Bernard de Tremelay ?-1153

The fourth grand master of the Knights Templar, Bernard de Tremelay acceded to the office of grand master in June 1151. In 1153, Bernard joined the king in an assault against the Egyptian fortress at Ascalon. He led an ill-advised attack and having been caught was beheaded along with 40 Knights Templar. Their severed heads were sent to the Muslim sultan as a tribute.

Bertrand de Blanquefort 1109-69

Bertrand de Blanquefort presided as the sixth grand master of the Knights Templar, and was elected to the office in 1156 during the reign of Baldwin III, king of Jerusalem. During his term as grand master, Blanquefort initiated revisions to the Templars’ Rule, adding regulations dealing with the military and a hierarchy of the Order. The original Rule dealt primarily with monastic life.

Gerard de Ridefort ?-1189

Gerard de Ridefort joined the Templars around 1180. Known for his arrogance and overconfidence, he provided unwise counsel to King Guy, leading to the disastrous defeat at the Battle of Hattin in July. Gerard was the only Templar to survive and was later ransomed. He joined Guy in the siege of Acre and was captured and beheaded in October 1189.

Robert de Sable 1150-93

Robert de Sable fought under King Richard the Lionheart during the Third Crusade. At the end of 1191, King Richard sold the island of Cyprus to Sable and the Knights Templar, who anticipated the formation of their own country. Sable failed to fully establish Templar bases on Cyprus, and the conduct of the Templars led to poor relations with the civilian population of the island.