Gerard of Ridefort facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gérard de Ridefort
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Coat of arms of Gérard de Ridefort
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| 10th Grand Master of the Knights Templar | |
| In office 1184–1189 |
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| Preceded by | Arnold of Torroja |
| Succeeded by | Robert IV of Sablé |
| Personal details | |
| Born | c. 1140 |
| Died | October 4, 1189 (aged 48–49) Acre |
| Nationality | Flemish |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Kingdom of Jerusalem Knights Templar |
| Rank | Marshal of Jerusalem (1179-1184) Templar Grand Master (1184-1189) |
| Battles/wars |
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Gérard de Ridefort (died October 4, 1189) was a very important leader of the Knights Templar. He served as the Grand Master of this famous military order from late 1184 until his death in 1189. The Knights Templar were a powerful group of Christian knights during the Crusades. They protected pilgrims and fought to defend the Christian lands in the Middle East.
Contents
Early Life and Beginnings
Gérard de Ridefort was likely from Flanders, an area in what is now Belgium and the Netherlands. We don't know exactly when he arrived in the Kingdom of Jerusalem. This was a Christian state set up after the First Crusade in the Middle East.
By 1179, Gérard was serving Baldwin IV of Jerusalem, who was the King of Jerusalem. He held the important title of Marshal of the kingdom. This meant he was a high-ranking military officer.
Gérard had a disagreement with Raymond III of Tripoli, another powerful leader. Gérard believed Raymond had promised him a marriage to a wealthy heiress. However, Raymond arranged for the heiress to marry someone else. This event created a lasting rivalry between Gérard and Raymond.
Joining the Knights Templar
After a serious illness, Gérard decided to join the Knights Templar. He took special vows to become a member of this religious and military order. By 1183, he had risen to the rank of seneschal, which was a senior officer in the Templar Order.
In late 1184 or early 1185, Gérard was chosen to be the Grand Master. This was the highest position in the Knights Templar. He took over after the previous Grand Master, Arnold of Torroja, passed away.
Political Struggles and Battles
As Grand Master, Gérard's old grudge against Raymond of Tripoli continued to affect his decisions. In 1186, when King Baldwin V of Jerusalem died, there was a fight over who would be the next ruler. Gérard strongly supported Sibylla of Jerusalem and her husband, Guy of Lusignan, to become queen and king. Raymond and his allies supported Sibylla's younger half-sister, Isabella I of Jerusalem.
In 1187, the Christian kingdom faced a big threat from Saladin, a powerful Muslim leader. Gérard used money that King Henry II had sent to the Templars to hire more soldiers. This money was meant for King Henry's own future crusading plans.
Battle of Cresson
In April 1187, Gérard led a small group of Templars and Hospitallers against Saladin's son, al-Afdal. This fight was called the Battle of Cresson. Gérard had fewer than 100 Templars, while al-Afdal had over 5,000 men. The Christian forces were badly defeated. The Hospitaller Grand Master was killed, and Gérard was wounded but survived.
Battle of Hattin
Later that year, in July 1187, Gérard led the Templars at the Battle of Hattin. Saladin had captured the city of Tiberias. King Guy wanted to march to Tiberias to take it back. Raymond of Tripoli advised against this, saying they should wait in a strong, well-watered position.
However, Gérard disagreed and convinced King Guy to march across a dry plain. Raynald of Châtillon, another enemy of Raymond, also supported this plan. This decision proved to be disastrous. The Christian army became trapped on the dry plain and was completely defeated on July 4. Many knights were killed or captured.
Gérard de Ridefort was among those captured by Saladin. Most of the other Templar prisoners were executed. Gérard remained a prisoner until 1188. During this time, another Templar brother, Thierry, led the Order from the city of Tyre.
Later Actions and Death
Saladin offered Gérard a deal: if he could convince a Templar fortress to surrender peacefully, he would be set free. Gérard succeeded and was released. He then went to Tortosa, where he bravely led the Templars in defending their castle. The castle held out even after the town fell to Saladin's forces.
In 1189, Gérard joined King Guy again at the Siege of Acre. This was a long and important battle during the Third Crusade. During this siege, Gérard was captured once more. He was executed by Saladin on October 4, 1189.
See also
In Spanish: Gérard de Ridefort para niños
