Hughes of Payens

Hugues de Payens was a medieval French knight who co-founded the Knights Templar in 1119, a religious military order. The Templars were established to protect Christian pilgrims traveling to Jerusalem after the First Crusade. Hugues served as the first Grand Master, guiding the order's growth and organization. Their mission combined religious devotion with military discipline, and they became influential both as warriors and financial protectors. The Templars grew into one of the most powerful and wealthy organizations of the Middle Ages, with lasting historical influence.