Master Sibrand facts for kids
Master Sibrand was a very important person who started a hospital in a city called Akkon. This hospital later became the main base for a famous group known as the Teutonic Knights. Because of this, some people think of him as the "first leader" or grand master of this group. However, the Teutonic Knights officially became an order in 1192 and a military order (like a group of soldier-monks) in 1198.
Contents
Who Was Master Sibrand?
Sibrand traveled to a place called Outremer (which means "overseas" and referred to the Crusader states) in 1188. He was part of the Third Crusade, a big military journey led by Frederick Barbarossa. Sibrand was a follower of a nobleman named Adolf III of Holstein.
Starting a Hospital
In September 1190, King Guy of Lusignan wrote a document that mentioned Sibrand as the person who founded a hospital. This hospital was a field hospital, meaning it was set up during a battle to help injured German soldiers. It was used during the siege of Akkon.
Merchants from the cities of Bremen and Lübeck had set up and run this hospital. They used a simple sail for shelter near the cemetery of St. Nicholas. After the city of Akkon was captured, King Guy gave Sibrand a house in the city. This house, called the Syriac hospital, became the new, more permanent home for the German hospital.
From Hospital to Knights
After Akkon was fully captured in July 1191, the hospital moved inside the city. It then grew into the permanent home for what would become the Teutonic Knights. People gave money to help the hospital. With these donations, a garden was created for the hospital in front of the St Nicholas gate.
Sibrand in Video Games
Sibrand is a character in the first Assassin's Creed video game. In the game, he is shown as the Grand Master of the Teutonic Knights. He is also secretly a member of the Knights Templar.
In the game, Sibrand is very worried and scared because another character, Altaïr, has been defeating other Templars. Sibrand stays in the port of Acre. He uses ships he got to create a blockade around the city. However, Altaïr eventually finds and defeats him.
