

Hugh de Payen is known as a ‘minor’ noble from Champagne. The Templar origin as a whole is completely shrouded in mystery. The knights wer enot as obscure as all that and in fact had very close connections with Godfrey de Bouillon.

One might wonder, in light of the above, why a King of Jerusalem would agree to the request of nine obscure Knights and give them such illustrious headquarters and accommodation? The simple answer is that he would not. Are we to believe that Hugh and his eight other companions spontaneously decided to carry out this venture? When and how did they arrive at this decision? Why did they take up this risky undertaking? Barber and Bate noted again that ‘ for contemporaries their activities were not noteworthy’ Baldwin I, King of Jerusalem, agreed to the request they made for headquarters and granted them the Al Aqsa Mosque as their residence. T he Knights Templar, as they became known, were to also protect the Holy Sepulchre of Christ in Jerusalem, as well as the visiting and travelling Christian pilgrims. They wanted to create a military group that would help protect pilgrims when they came to visit Jerusalem. They wrote that ‘ there is a great contrast between the obscurity of Templar origins and the massive publicity given to their shocking demise.’ Why should there be such a vast difference in the ‘beginnings’ of the Templars and in their end regarding historical documentation? Some historians think that when Hugh de Payns and Godfrey de Saint-Omer approached Baldwin I they barely had ideas about the Order they wanted to inaugurate. Share your thoughts in the comments section.Barber and Bate were correct when they highlighted the difference between the beginnings of the Templars and their demise. Robert de Craon succeeded Payens as Grand Master and was known to be a great legislator and organizer, though his military skills were lacking.What do you think of the Knights Templar and their involvement with the Crusades. Hugue de Payens led the organization for almost twenty years. Hugue de Payens was a co-founder of the Knights Templar and became the groups first Grand Master.

He was arrested by King Philip IV of France, tortured until he admitted to the crimes against him and he was eventually burned at the stake. Geoffroi de Charney dedicated his life to the Order of Knights Templar. Henriques went on to become the first king of Portugal and spent most of his life at war with the Moors. Who is the most famous Knights Templar member? Afonso I of Portugal, also known as Afonso Henriques, tops our list. The motto of the Knights Templar was “Not to us Lord, not to us, but to Your Name give the glory.” Here is a list of some of the most famous members of the Knights Templar. They rose to power during the Crusades and quickly dwindled after the Holy Land was captured by Saladin's armies. The Knights Templar was a powerful organization comprised of a wealthy Christian membership. List of Famous Knights Templar Members ranked by fame and popularity.
