Hugh of Payens

Hugh of Payens was a French knight best known as the first Grand Master of the Knights Templar, a medieval Christian military order founded in the early 12th century. Established around 1119, the Templars focused on protecting pilgrims traveling to the Holy Land after the Crusades. Hugh of Payens played a crucial role in organizing the order and gaining recognition from the Church, helping it grow into a powerful and influential entity in Europe and the Middle East. The Knights Templar became known for their distinctive white mantles and their involvement in both warfare and banking during the medieval period.