Bernard de Tremelay facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bernard de Tremelay
4th Grand Master of the Knights Templar
In office 1152–1153
Preceded by	Everard des Barres
Succeeded by	André de Montbard
Personal details
Born	Unknown Saint-Claude, France
Died	16 August 1153 Ascalon, Fatimid Caliphate
Military service
Allegiance	Knights Templar
Battles/wars	Siege of Ascalon  †

Bernard de Tramelay was an important leader of the Knights Templar. He was the fourth Grand Master of this famous group of warrior monks. He led the Templars from 1152 until he died in battle in 1153. His death happened during a big fight called the Siege of Ascalon.

Who Was Bernard de Tramelay?

Bernard de Tramelay was born in a place called Tramelay castle. This castle was near a town named Saint-Claude in France. We don't know exactly when he was born.

He became the Grand Master of the Knights Templar in 1152. This happened after the previous Grand Master, Everard des Barres, decided to step down. Everard went to live in a monastery after the Second Crusade.

King Baldwin III of Jerusalem gave Bernard de Tramelay a ruined city named Gaza. Bernard helped the Templars rebuild this city. It became an important place for them.

The Battle for Ascalon

In 1153, the Templars took part in a major battle. They were fighting for control of a strong fortress called Ascalon. At that time, Ascalon was controlled by Fatimid Egypt.

The Templars built a tall tower to help them attack the city walls. But the Egyptian soldiers inside Ascalon set this tower on fire. The wind then blew the flames, and part of Ascalon's walls also caught fire and burned down. This created a gap in the city's defenses.

What Happened Next?

There are different stories about what happened after the wall broke.

One old story, written by William of Tyre, says that Bernard and about forty Templar knights rushed into the city through the broken wall. This happened without King Baldwin's full knowledge. This story suggests Bernard didn't want to share the victory with the king. Sadly, Bernard and his Templars were outnumbered by the Egyptian soldiers and were killed.

However, some people today think William of Tyre's story might not be completely accurate. It might have been told in a way to explain why other crusaders didn't follow the Templars into the city.

Another story, from a writer in Damascus, mentions the wall breaking. But this story doesn't talk about the Templars rushing in alone.

No matter which story is true, Bernard de Tramelay was killed during the fighting. A few days later, King Baldwin captured the fortress of Ascalon. After Bernard's death, the Templars chose André de Montbard to be their new Grand Master.

See also

• In Spanish: Bernard de Tremelay para niños