Everard des Barres

Everard des Barres († November 15, 1176 in Clairvaux ) was a Grand Master of the Knights Templar.

Life

Everard family comes from those of Barre, an often mentioned in the history of Brie, Gâtinais, Nivernais, Burgundy and Bourbon middle nobility.

In the great religious section of Paris on 27 April 1147 at the next 130 Knights Templar Pope Eugene III. had participated, Everard is mentioned as one of the rank of " Master Galliae ". He had probably died since 1143 Steward of the Templars in France, and as such one of the highest dignitaries of the Order as Grand Master Robert de Craon in January 1147. He was subsequently elected to succeed him. He was the first Templar Grand Master, which was addressed with the title " Master Dei Gratia ".

Only a few weeks later he accompanied King Louis VII of France on the Second Crusade. Everard was one of the embassy to Constantinople voreilte Opel before Ludwig arrived there. Later, he is said to have saved in Pisidia to the king in battle with Seljuk Turks life. The chronicler Odo of Deuil praises his piety and courage; Everard seems to have great influence over the king had. After the failure of the siege of Damascus in 1148, followed Everard, the mitführte the royal exchequer, the king of France. His brought along from France contingent of Templars nevertheless remained in the Holy Land, where it defended Jerusalem in 1149 against a Seljuk invasion.

Back in France, he abdicated in autumn 1152 and became a monk in the Cistercian abbey of Clairvaux, where he died on November 15, 1176. What led him to his abdication, is not known.