Didier de Saint-Jaille facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Didier de Saint-Jaille
Grand Master of the Order of Saint John
In office 22 November 1535 – 26 September 1536
Monarch	King Charles II
Preceded by	Piero del Ponte
Succeeded by	Juan de Homedes y Coscon
Personal details
Born	unknown France
Died	26 September 1536 Montpellier, France
Resting place	Montpellier
Military service
Allegiance	Order of Saint John

Fra' Didier de Saint-Jaille was an important leader of the Knights Hospitaller. He was the 46th Grand Master of this famous order. He served as Grand Master between 1535 and 1536.

Who Was Didier de Saint-Jaille?

Didier de Saint-Jaille was a nobleman from France. He joined the Knights Hospitaller. This was a military and religious order. They were also known as the Order of Saint John. He was known for being very careful and wise.

Becoming Grand Master

After the previous Grand Master, Piero de Ponte, passed away, Didier de Saint-Jaille was chosen. He became the new Grand Master in 1535. At this time, he was still in France. He started getting ready to travel to Malta. Malta was the main base for the Knights Hospitaller.

An Unexpected End

Sadly, Didier de Saint-Jaille became very ill. He was in a city called Montpellier in France. He passed away there on September 26, 1536. This happened before he could even reach Malta.

He is special because he was the only Grand Master of Malta who did not die or get buried on the island. Another Grand Master, Ferdinand von Hompesch zu Bolheim, also left Malta later. Both Didier de Saint-Jaille and Hompesch are buried in Montpellier.

What Happened While He Was Away?

While Didier de Saint-Jaille was still in France, another knight took his place. This knight was named Jacques Pelliquen. He acted as the Lieutenant Grand Master. During this time, soldiers from Malta and Calabria worked together. They destroyed a tower called El Haid Tower. This tower was near Tripoli, which the Order owned back then.