Hugues de Payens

Hugues de Payens was a French knight born around 1070, best known as the co-founder and first Grand Master of the Knights Templar in 1119. The Templars were a medieval Christian military order established to protect pilgrims traveling to the Holy Land during the Crusades. De Payens played a crucial role in organizing and leading this order, which became influential in both military and financial matters. The Knights Templar are often associated with chivalry, religious devotion, and mystery, and their legacy continues to fascinate historians and popular culture today. Hugues de Payens died around 1136.