Armengol de Aspa facts for kids

Armengol de Aspa, copper engraving by Laurent Cars, c. 1730

Armengol de Aspa (died after April 1191) was an important leader of the Knights Hospitaller. This was a famous group of warrior-monks. He was their ninth Grand Master, which is like being the main boss. He held this important job from 1188 until he stepped down in 1189 or 1190.

Armengol took over from William Borrel, who was a temporary leader. During Armengol's time as Grand Master, the main headquarters of the Hospitallers moved. It moved from Jerusalem to Tyre. He stepped down from his role, which was quite unusual for a Grand Master. However, he was still alive and active later. He was followed by Garnier de Nablus as the next Grand Master.

Who Was Armengol de Aspa?

We don't know much about where Armengol de Aspa came from. But his name suggests he might have been from a place called Catalonia in Spain. He was in charge of a castle area called Amposta between 1180 and 1182. This shows he was an important person in the Hospitaller Order.

His first mention was in 1164. At that time, Armengol was a commander. He was probably at a Hospitaller base in Le Puy, France.

In May 1187, the Grand Master, Roger de Moulins, was killed in a battle. William Borrel became the temporary Grand Master. Borrel then chose Armengol to be the Grand Commander. This was a very high position. Armengol became the Grand Master sometime between May and October of 1188.

The Holy Land After Jerusalem's Fall

After Jerusalem was captured by Saladin in 1187, the Christian forces faced more attacks. The city of Tyre was under siege. This means it was surrounded and attacked. Saladin himself came to help his troops in November 1187.

But the people defending Tyre were very strong. They got help and supplies by sea. Conrad of Montferrat defended the sea routes. The strong defense forced Saladin to stop the siege on January 1, 1188. This was a big victory for the Christian forces. They even captured some of Saladin's ships and leaders. Armengol, as Grand Commander, helped lead the Hospitallers in this important defense. The Knights Templar also fought bravely.

By early 1188, the Christian forces had lost many areas. These included Judea, Samaria, and Galilee. But they still held Tyre. The Hospitallers also defended Margat and Belvoir Castle. Saladin's army attacked Belvoir Castle. But the Hospitallers fought back hard. They even defeated a large Muslim force in January 1188. Belvoir Castle finally fell in January 1189. But the Hospitallers showed they were very strong fighters.

Saladin continued his attacks in 1188. Many castles and towns fell to his forces. These included Tortosa, Valenia, and Laodicea. However, the Hospitaller castle of Margat held strong. Antioch, another important city, was also in danger. Farther east, Saladin's brother attacked Krak des Chevaliers and Montreal. These castles surrendered because they ran out of supplies. The Hospitallers at Belvoir Castle fought until January 1189. They only gave up because they had no food left.

The Siege of Acre

The city of Acre, along with Beirut and Sidon, was taken by Saladin in 1187. This happened after his big victory at the Battle of Hattin. In the summer of 1189, Guy of Lusignan, a Christian leader, decided to attack Saladin. This started the long Siege of Acre.

Guy gathered his forces in Acre in September. On October 4, he attacked Saladin's army. The Hospitallers, led by Lusignan, were part of this attack. The Knights Templar also joined the fight. The battle was tough, but Saladin's forces eventually retreated. This allowed the Christian forces to take control of Acre. The Hospitallers and Conrad of Montferrat set up defenses. They built ditches and a new port. Throughout the winter, more Christian fighters arrived. They were getting ready for the next part of the war.

Stepping Down as Grand Master

Armengol's time as Grand Master likely ended in late 1189 or early 1190. We don't know exactly why he stepped down. Old records don't explain his departure. Some early historians of the Order wrongly said that Jerusalem fell during his time as leader. They also incorrectly claimed he died soon after. However, we know he lived until at least April 1191. He was even a lord in Amposta again after his time as Grand Master.

See also

In Spanish: Ermengol d'Asp para niños

• Cartulaire général de l'Ordre des Hospitaliers
• List of Knights Hospitaller sites
• Langue (Knights Hospitaller)
• Flags of the Knights Hospitaller