Phillipe de Plessis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Phillipe de Plessis
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Coat of arms of Philipe de Plessis
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| 13th Grand Master of the Knights Templar | |
| In office 1201–1208 |
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| Preceded by | Gilbert Horal |
| Succeeded by | Guillaume de Chartres |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1165 |
| Died | 12 November 1209 |
| Nationality | French |
Philippe du Plessis was an important leader of the Knights Templar. He was born in 1165 in a strong fortress called Plessis-Macé, in a part of France known as Anjou. He became the 13th Grand Master of this famous knightly order. He held this high position from 1201 until 1208.
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Philippe du Plessis: A Templar Leader
Philippe du Plessis joined the Knights Templar after fighting in the Third Crusade in 1189. The Third Crusade was a big military journey to the Holy Land (a region in the Middle East) to take back control of important religious sites. During this time, he learned about the Order of the Temple, which is another name for the Knights Templar. They were a group of warrior monks who protected Christian pilgrims and fought in the Crusades.
Becoming Grand Master
After the previous Grand Master, Gilbert Horal, passed away, Philippe du Plessis was chosen to lead the Knights Templar. This was a very important job, as he was in charge of all the Templar knights and their lands across Europe and the Holy Land.
Working for Peace
Philippe du Plessis played a part in keeping peace during a difficult time. He helped to maintain a treaty, which is like a peace agreement, between Saladin and Richard I. Saladin was a powerful Muslim leader, and Richard I was the King of England, also known as Richard the Lionheart.
In 1208, when this treaty needed to be renewed, Philippe suggested something new. He thought that two other knightly orders, the Teutonic Order and the Hospitallers, should try to make a new peace offer with a leader named Malek-Adel. However, Pope Innocent III, who was the head of the Catholic Church, did not agree with this plan.
Challenges and Growth
During Philippe du Plessis's time as Grand Master, there were not many big battles involving the Templars. A major event, the Fourth Crusade, was supposed to go to the Holy Land but ended up going to Constantinople instead. This meant the Templars did not get the help they expected.
The Knights Templar also had some disagreements. For example, they had a conflict with the King of Armenia over a stronghold called Gastein. The Templars were even forced out of Armenia for a short time. But the Pope stepped in to help settle the argument.
Relations between the Templars and the Hospitallers, another major knightly order, were often difficult. Despite these challenges, the Knights Templar became very powerful in Europe during Philippe du Plessis's leadership. They owned a lot of land and had many members.
Philippe du Plessis's name is last mentioned in records in 1209, which is also the year he passed away.
