List of 11 Most Famous Knights Templar Members & Grand Masters 

The Knights Templar is the most famous group of knights in history. The Catholic military order was established in Jerusalem to assist pilgrims in the area. 

Although a military order, most members of the Knights Templar never saw battle. Up to 90% of Knights Templar members served in non-combatant roles.

Members of this famous medieval order sometimes served in battle, but also assisted the needy through charitable works. The organization grew from its original headquarters in Jerusalem to include many countries across Europe. 

The Knights Templar was especially powerful and popular in France and Britain. Groups of Templars in these countries and elsewhere set up a system of finance that is widely considered the first multinational corporation. 

The power and wealth of the Knights Templar proved to be their downfall. After becoming indebted to the organization, French king Philip IV worked with Pope Clement V to disband Knights Templar groups around Europe. 

The order would fall in the 1300s after the Philip IV arrested, tortured, and executed remaining Knights Templar members. 

Despite its gruesome end, the Knights Templar is remembered today as one of the most influential knight orders in history. The following list includes the most famous members and grand masters of the order. 

1) Hugues de Payens

Hugues de Payens was a co-founder of the Knights Templar and the order’s first grand master. Born in 1070 in the Champagne region of France, Hugues de Payens found his way to Jerusalem during the first crusade. 

Some scholars believe he served in the first crusade under Godfroi de Boullion. 

Regardless of his military experience, Hugues de Payens proved to be a skilled leader, as he established the Knights Templar and served as its first grand master. The grand master was the supreme authority within the group. 

Alongside Bernard of Clairvaux, Hugues de Payens created the Latin Rule. This was the code of behavior for the Knights Templar order. 

2) Geoffroi de Saint-Omer

Geoffroi de Saint-Omer was a Flemish knight and a founding member of the Knights Templar. He lived in the early 1100s when the order was established. 

According to legend, Geoffroi de Saint-Omer and fellow founder Hugues de Payens were so poor when they arrived in Jerusalem that they had to share a horse. 

The image of two men riding one horse became the seal of the Knights Templar. 

3) André de Montbard

André de Montbard lived from 1097 to 1156. His home was Burgundy in France and he served as a vassal to the Count of Champagne, Hugues I. 

This knight entered the Knights Templar order in 1119, making him one of the earliest members. André de Montbard became second-in-command to Hugues de Payens, the first grand master. 

Eventually, André de Montbard would himself be a leader of the Knights Templar. His turn came in 1153 and he held the position of fifth grand master until his death. 

4) Bernard of Clairvaux

Bernard of Clairvaux was born in 1090 and lived in Burgundy. He was a Benedictine monk and co-founder of the Knights Templar. 

Besides forming the order, Bernard of Clairvaux also assisted Hugues de Payens in writing the code of behavior for the Knights Templar. 

The monk died in 1153 but his contributions to the order are remembered to this day. 

5) Hugues I

Hugues I, Count of Champagne, became a member of the Knights Templar in 1125. His vassal André de Montbard was a fellow member. 

The count is remembered for his personal affairs and his gifts to the order. Hugues was married twice but had no children, which likely meant he was impotent. Because of this, records show he left his titles to his nephew. 

In 1115, Hugues I granted land to Bernard of Clairvaux, a key member and co-founder of the Knights Templar. Hugues’s lack of children and abundant wealth allowed him to give more freely to the order.  

6) Payen de Montdidier 

Payen de Montdidier was a founding member of the Knights Templar and formed his own Templar preceptory, or community, in Oxford. 

Queen Matilda supported his work and her backing helped bolster the influence of the Knights Templar in England.

Thanks to the influence of Matilda and the efforts of Payen de Montdidier, Oxford became one of the richest and most powerful centers of Knights Templar activity in Europe. 

7) William of Chartres

William of Chartres was born in 1178 and served as grand master of the Knights Templar from 1210 until his death in 1218. 

His influence in the order is evidenced by his participation in the coronation of the king of Jerusalem. William of Chartres was also responsible for sending supplies and soldiers to assist in the Reconquista of Spain. 

William saw battle himself in Spain and may have participated in the fifth crusade in 1217. 

8) Pierre de Montagut

Pierre de Montagut was a friend of William of Chartres. He may have been the brother of the Knights Hospitaller’s grand master. This was another influential knight order of the Middle Ages. 

His personal friendships helped him climb the ranks of the Knights Templar. Like his friend William, Pierre probably fought in the fifth crusade.

Pierre de Montagut became the grand master of the order in 1218 and maintained this status until his death in 1232. 

9) Hugues de Pairaud

By the early 1300s, the influence of the Knights Templar proved so great that European kings were indebted to the order. King Philip IV of Spain was one royal who grew resentful of the order’s power. 

He teamed up with Pope Clement V to bring down the Knights Templar. Hugues de Pairaud was one unlucky order member who faced Philip’s wrath. 

Hugues was accused with other members of worshipping false idols, and having indecent relations with fellow Templars. He was sentenced to life imprisonment in 1314. 

10) Geoffroi de Charney

Geoffroi de Charney, like Hugues de Pairaud, was one of the Knights Templar who personally came under trial in 1314. He and other members were persecuted by king Philip IV and pope Clement V. 

In partnership with Philip, Clement issued a decree requiring kings of Europe to arrest Knights Templar members and confiscate their lands. 

In 1307, Geoffroi de Charney was arrested along with fellow members. These men were held in prison, tortured, and some faced brutal execution. Geoffroi de Charney was burned at the stake in 1314. 

11) Jacques de Molay

Jacques de Molay was born around 1240 and was made a knight at age 21. He served as the last grand master of the Knights Templar from 1292 to 1314. 

Like other Templar members, de Molay faced the wrath of Philip and Clement. He was burned at the stake, but may have cursed these men before his death. 

According to legend, Jacques de Molay cursed Philip and his descendants. He also believed the pope would pay for his wrongdoing. 

Interestingly, both the king of France and the pope would die within a year of de Molay’s execution. The collapse of the royal House of Capet would occur a little over a decade later.