Gualdim Pais

Dom Gualdim Pais (lat. also Gaudinus, Galdinus or Gualdinus, * 1118 in Amares, † October 13, 1195 in Tomar ) was a Portuguese crusader and founder of the city of Tomar.

Pais fought on the side of Afonso Henriques against the Moors and was knighted after the Battle of Ourique in 1139 from this. He moved with the Second Crusade to Palestine and fought there for five years as a Templar. He took particular part in the successful siege of Gaza and the defensive struggles in the Principality of Antioch.

After returning to Portugal he was appointed in 1157 for the fourth Grand Master of the Knights Templar in Portugal. He founded in 1160 the fortified convent in Tomar, which became the seat of the Order. The siege Tomars by Yaqub al - Mansur Almohadenkalifen in 1190 he repelled and prevented the invasion of the rest of the country.

He died on October 13, 1195 in Tomar. His ashes were buried in the Igreja de Santa Maria dos Olivais where his grave stone is still preserved.