Garnier de Nablus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Garnier de Nablus
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Garnier de Napoli de Sirie, by Jean-François Cars c. 1725
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| 10th Grand Masters of the Knights Hospitaller | |
| In office 1190–1192 |
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| Preceded by | Armengol de Aspa |
| Succeeded by | Geoffroy de Donjon |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1147 Nablus, Palestine |
| Died | 31 August 1192 (aged 44–45) Acre, Palestine |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Knights Hospitaller |
| Years of service | 1173-1192 |
| Battles/wars | |
Garnier de Nablus (born 1147, died August 31, 1192) was an important leader of the Knights Hospitaller. He was their tenth Grand Master, serving from 1190 to 1192. The Knights Hospitaller were a famous group of warrior monks. Garnier is also known as Garnier of Syria. He took over from Armengol de Aspa.
Garnier played a key role in the Third Crusade. He fought bravely in the Battle of Arsuf in 1191. During his time as Grand Master, the main base of the Hospitallers moved from Tyre to Acre. After his death, Geoffroy de Donjon became the next Grand Master.
Contents
Garnier de Nablus: Early Life and Role
Garnier de Nablus might have come from a well-known family in Nablus. However, he could also have been from England. This is because he was the Prior of the Langue d'Angleterre. This job was usually given to someone from that region.
From 1173 to 1175, Garnier was the Lord of Gibelin. He then served as the Grand Preceptor of the Hospitaller Order two times. These periods were from 1176 to 1177 and from 1180 to 1184. In 1185, he became the Prior of the Langue d'Angleterre. He held this position until 1189. In 1189, he also became the Grand Commander of the Hospitallers.
The Battle of Hattin and Becoming Grand Master
In 1187, Garnier was badly hurt at the terrible Battle of Hattin. This battle was a major defeat that led to the fall of Jerusalem. Despite his injuries, he managed to reach the city of Ascalon and recovered.
Garnier became Grand Master sometime between July 1189 and March 25, 1190. He traveled to Paris to meet Richard I of England. In the summer of 1190, he sailed from Marseille to Messina. There, he met Philippe Auguste. A document from October 8, 1190, confirms that both kings and the leaders of the Hospitallers and Templars were present.
Garnier and the Third Crusade
Garnier left Messina on April 10, 1191, with King Richard's fleet. They arrived at the port of Lemesos on May 1. Richard then went to Cyprus to deal with the local ruler, Isaac Komnenos of Cyprus. Garnier tried to help make peace, but Richard took control of the island.
On June 5, they sailed again. They sank a Muslim ship that was going to supply Acre. This happened near Margat, a fortress belonging to the Hospitallers. They reached Acre on June 8. The city was under siege by Philippe Auguste. The crusaders finally captured Acre on July 12, 1191.
March to Jaffa
After Acre was captured, Philippe Auguste left the Holy Land on July 31, 1191. On August 22, 1191, King Richard left Acre and headed towards Jaffa. The army marched in a specific order. The Templars were at the front. The Hospitallers were at the very back of the column.
The foot soldiers were on the left side. The supply wagons were on the right, between the troops and the sea. King Richard had a special group ready to help wherever needed. On September 7, as they reached the gardens of Arsuf, the Hospitallers at the rear were attacked.
The Battle of Arsuf
Before the Battle of Arsuf, King Richard had given a strict order. He told his army not to directly attack the enemy while they were marching to Jaffa. Garnier's Hospitallers were at the back of the army. They were under heavy attack from Muslim forces. The Muslims kept shooting arrows and doing quick attacks. They wanted to break the crusader army's formation and force them into a full battle.
According to an old book called Itinerarium Regis Ricardi, Garnier was very close to giving up. He rode forward to King Richard to ask for permission to attack. He said, "My lord the king, we are being strongly pushed by the enemy. We are in danger of being shamed forever if we don't fight back. Our horses are falling one by one. Why should we wait any longer?"
Garnier also asked Richard to relieve the pressure with a cavalry charge. Richard refused. He told Garnier, "Good Master, you must hold your position. No one can be everywhere at once." But the pressure grew even stronger. The Grand Master and another knight, Baldwin de Carreo, charged the Saracens. Soon, the rest of the Hospitaller force joined them.
Richard saw that his orders had been broken. He then gave the signal for a full charge. This surprised the enemy at a weak moment, and their lines broke. So, in some ways, Garnier helped win the battle, even though he went against Richard's orders at first.
Later Years and Legacy
Garnier is last mentioned on June 12, 1192. This was during a battle at Betenoble. He punished one of his brothers, Robert of Bruges, for attacking the enemy without his command. Garnier de Nablus died in the second half of 1192, likely on August 31. His successor, Geoffroy de Donjon, is first mentioned in January 1193.
Garnier in Popular Culture
- In the video game Assassin's Creed (2007), Garnier de Naplouse is one of the nine main targets players must defeat. The game uses the French spelling "Naplouse" instead of "Nablus."
- Actor Donald Sumpter played Garnier de Nablus in the 2008 BBC TV show Heroes and Villains. This show included a reenactment of the Battle of Arsuf.
See also
- Cartulaire général de l'Ordre des Hospitaliers
- List of Knights Hospitaller sites
- Langue (Knights Hospitaller)
- Flags of the Knights Hospitaller
Images for kids
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Garnier de Napoli de Sirie, by Jean-François Cars c. 1725
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Coat of arms of Garnier de Nablus
