Grand Master of the Templar Order

2017-08-06T19:47:21Z

47.216.134.3: /* Trivia */

{{Era|AC|ACBL|AC2|ACB|ACR|AC3|AC4|ACRG|ACU|ACS|TSC|Renaissance|Bbook|Rbook|3book|4book|Ubook|ACT|LD|ACL|Templars}}
{{WP-REAL|Grand Masters of the Knights Templar}}
{{Merge|Templar leader|Grand Master}}
{{Youmay|the highest rank of the Templar Order|the [[Grand Master of the Knights Hospitalier]], the [[Grand Master of the Knights Teutonic]], or the Assassin Brotherhood equivalent, the [[Mentor]]}}
[[File:Knights.png|thumb|250px|The emblem of the Templar Order]]
The title of '''Grand Master''' is one of the highest ranks of the [[Templars|Templar Order]]. Originally it was the supreme head of the entire order, but evolution of the organization over the centuries led to this status being superseded by newly created authorities such as the [[Guardians]] and the [[Generals of the Cross|General of the Cross]]. Since the establishment of major branches of the order, the title has designated the heads of the [[Templar Rite|Rites]] of the order, each corresponding to a specific geographic region, where they serve as the highest authority.<ref>[[Assassin's Creed: The Essential Guide]]</ref>

Having previously borne a more public face, more Grand Masters of the Templar Order were better known than their [[Assassins|Assassin]] [[Mentor|counterparts]]. However, as the Templars slipped back into the shadows, the identities of their leaders eventually fell from the public consciousness.

By the early 19th century, the Templars were no longer ruled by a single Grand Master or independant leaders but instead by a council of the Order's brightest members, the [[Inner Sanctum of the Templar Order]]. The Sanctum was in charge of creating a globalized plan for the Order and to ensure the cooperation of all the Rites and their leaders, while also preventing any corruption of the Templar ideals.

While still in charge of their respective and autonomous Rites, the Grand Masters were nevertheless accountable to the members of the Inner Sanctum and their inquisitor, the feared [[Black Crosses|Black Cross]]. Furthermore, the Inner Sanctum was in charge of promoting the Grand Masters, keeping their numbers under strict control.

While it was commonly assumed that all Templar leaders were drawn from the stock of Western nobility, due to the prominence of the front-organization that was the Knights Templar during the Middle Ages, the truth was that as the Order developed, diversified and relocated, many different people of various ethnic backgrounds and cultural heritages had assumed the mantle of Grand Master throughout the Templars' longevity.

==History==
===Middle Ages===
One of the first known Grand Masters was a [[France|Frenchman]] named [[Hugues de Payens]]. In 1128, he and his colleague [[Bernard de Clairvaux]] co-authored the document known as the [[Latin Rule]], which dictated the behaviors of the Order's Knights. It was applied the following year and soon spread throughout the Order.<ref name="Encyclopedia">''[[Assassin's Creed Encyclopedia]]''</ref>

After two years without a Grand Master following [[Gerard de Ridefort]]'s death, [[Robert de Sablé]] entered the Templar Order and reigned as the Grand Master of the [[Levantine Rite of the Templar Order|Levantine Rite]] during 1191. During his reign, he sought the [[Pieces of Eden]], particularly the [[Apple of Eden 2|Apple of Eden]]. After having lost the Apple, he launched an [[Defense of Masyaf|attack]] on the [[Levantine Assassins]]' stronghold of [[Masyaf]]. Later on, during the [[Battle of Arsuf]], he was killed by his rival, [[Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad]].<ref <ref name="AC">''[[Assassin's Creed]]''</ref><ref name="The Essential Guide">''[[Assassin's Creed: The Essential Guide]]''</ref>

After the death of Robert, [[Armand Bouchart]] took on the mantle of Grand Master as he and the Templars retreated to [[Cyprus]]. However, Altaïr pursued him and the two fought in the [[Templar Archive]], after the Assassin foiled the Grand Master's plans, resulting in Altaïr's victory and the Templars losing another leader.<ref name="ACBL">''[[Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines]]''</ref>

During the early 14th century, the French King [[Philip IV of France|Philip le Bel]] was unknowingly influenced by the Assassins, and [[Persecution of the Templars|conspired]] against the Templars. As a result, they were branded heretics and hundreds of them were arrested, with the last official Grand Master, [[Jacques de Molay]], understanding that the Order would not survive as a public organization. With this, he allowed himself to be burned at the stake, saving the lives of his brethren and making his enemies believe that the Templars were finished, though in reality, the Order continued to exist – underground. This aside, before his death, Molay sent nine of his most trusted men out into the world to continue his work.<ref name="Encyclopedia"/>

===Renaissance===
In 1476, the [[Roman Rite of the Templar Order|Roman Rite]] came under the leadership of the [[Spain|Spanish]]-born [[Rodrigo Borgia]], [[Cardinals|cardinal]] under [[Papacy|Pope]] [[Sixtus IV]]. Operating from [[Rome]], Rodrigo's primary objective was to unite [[Italy]] under the Templar banner,<ref name="AC2">''[[Assassin's Creed II]]''</ref> however, the Italian Templars strayed far from the main Templar ideology and used the Order as a way to achieve and sustain power for themselves.<ref name="Encyclopedia"/> Despite facing complications from the Assassins, mainly [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze]], Rodrigo managed to bribe the other cardinals, and was named Pope in 1492, taking on the name Alexander VI.<ref name="AC2"/>

Rodrigo then secured the power of the Church for the Templars, and from [[Vaticano District|the Vatican]], he oversaw the progress of the other Templars in [[Europe]], including [[United Kingdom|England]] and [[Spain]]. However, by 1500, Rodrigo's resolve had weakened, and control over the order fell to his son [[Cesare Borgia]], who acted as the ''de facto'' Grand Master.<ref name="ACB">''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]''</ref>

After he killed his own father in August 1503, Cesare became the official Grand Master of the Order,<ref name="ACB novel">[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (novel)|''Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood'' novel]]</ref> though without his father's power in the Church, he could not maintain the same influence in Europe that his father had. Cesare was soon [[Castillo de la Mota|imprisoned]] with the ascension of the next Pope, [[Julius II]], and upon escaping, he fled to his brother-in-law [[John III of Navarre]] in Navarre, Spain. The Grand Master was ultimately killed during the [[Siege of Viana|Siege]] of [[Viana]] in 1507 by Ezio Auditore,<ref name="ACB"/> destabilizing the Templars in Europe and causing them to temporarily withdraw.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]''</ref>

===Colonial era===
During the time of colonial expansion by the major European empires, the [[Cuba]]n governor [[Laureano de Torres y Ayala]] assumed the role of Grand Master of the [[West Indies Rite of the Templar Order|West Indies Rite]]. Operating out of [[Havana]], he sought the fabled [[Observatory]] in order to spy upon and thus bend the leaders of the European colonial empires to [[New World Order|Templar will]], ensuring peace through order. Torres was ultimately assassinated by the pirate-turned-Assassin [[Edward Kenway]].<ref name="AC4">''[[Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag]]''</ref>

In Britain, the Grand Master of the [[British Rite of the Templar Order|British Rite]] was [[Reginald Birch]], an Englishman who used the pretext of business to cover his affiliations. He was responsible for the growth of Templar influence in the [[United States|British colonies]], sending over [[Haytham Kenway]] to lead them. Upon his arrival in the colonies, Haytham gathered his co-conspirators, who had been recruited and located by Birch, and became Grand Master of the [[Colonial Rite of the Templar Order|Colonial Rite]].<ref name="AC3">''[[Assassin's Creed III]]''</ref>

During the [[French and Indian War]], part of the wider [[Seven Years' War]], the Colonial Rite grew in power, acquiring such influence that they soon posed a serious threat to the [[Colonial Assassins]] under [[Achilles Davenport]]. At the time, the Assassins were more preoccupied with investigating [[Pieces of Eden]] and largely ignored the organization's new leadership, an error that proved fatal.<ref name="ACRG">''[[Assassin's Creed: Rogue]]''</ref>

Shortly after founding the Colonial branch, Haytham led the rite in an [[Colonial Assassin purge|assault]] against the Assassins.<ref name="AC3"/> Aided by the Assassin turncoat [[Shay Cormac]] and lead on the field by Haytham himself, the Templars removed key figures in the Order, greatly reducing the Assassin's presence.<ref name="ACRG"/> This cumulated in an attack on the [[Davenport Homestead]] in 1763, where the remaining Assassins were killed and Achilles was exiled on the condition that he never revive the Brotherhood, thus effectively exterminating the Colonial Order.<ref name="AC3"/>

Near the end of the 18th century, the title of Grand Master had been bestowed upon [[Charles Lee]], following the death of Haytham during the siege of [[Fort George]] by Haytham's son, the Assassin [[Ratonhnhaké:ton|Connor]]. Charles, being the only conspirator left from Haytham's rule, attempted to flee back to England by [[Ships|ship]] after his initial plan to kill Connor failed. He was unsuccessful though, and Connor assassinated him inside a [[Taverns|tavern]].<ref name="AC3"/>

In Europe, [[François de la Serre]] had risen to the position of Grand Master of the [[Parisian Rite of the Templar Order|Parisian Rite]]. However, he was ultimately deposed in a ''coup d'etat'' orchestrated by [[François-Thomas Germain]], who usurped the position of Grand Master following de la Serre's death.<ref name="ACU">''[[Assassin's Creed: Unity]]''</ref>

By 1868, the British Rite was controlled by [[Crawford Starrick]], who expanded the Templars' reach to every major corner of industrialized society, from the highest official to the lowest criminal. He was opposed by the few remaining Assassins in London, namely Henry Green and the Frye twins.<ref name="ACS">''[[Assassin's Creed: Syndicate]]''</ref>

===Modern times===
By the 20th century, the "Founders" created [[Abstergo Industries]] in 1937, which from that point on served as the front for the Templar Order. Though its [[Inner Sanctum of the Templar Order|highest-ranking employees]] all held some form of leadership in the Templar Order,<ref>''Assassin's Creed: Revelations'' – [[Abstergo Files]]</ref> there were multiple Grand Masters who still maintained control over their operations. As of 2014, there are three known Grand Masters operating respectively in Cuba, [[Mexico]] and the United States.<ref name="ACU database">''Assassin's Creed: Unity'' – [[Database: 10. Reconnaissance Memo|Helix Database: 10. Reconnaissance Memo]]</ref>

During this period, the Grand Masters are no longer the highest rank among the Templar Order. They were instead answerable to the [[Guardians (Templars)|Guardians]], who in turn answered to the [[General of the Cross]].<ref name="ACU database"/>

==Known Grand Masters==
<gallery captionalign="center" position="center" spacing="small" widths="180">
Hugh de Payns.jpg|[[Hugues de Payens]]<ref name="Encyclopedia" /> [[Levantine Rite of the Templar Order|Levantine Rite]] Knights Templar 1118 – 1136
Wiki noimage.jpg|[[Gerard de Ridefort]]<ref name="Encyclopedia" /> Levantine Rite Knights Templar 1185 – 1189
AC1 Robert render.png|[[Robert de Sablé]]<ref name="AC" /><ref name="The Essential Guide" /> Levantine Rite Knights Templar 1190 - 1191
Bouchart1.png|[[Armand Bouchart]]<ref name="ACBL" /> Levantine Rite 1191 – 1193
Wiki noimage.jpg|[[Philippe du Plessis]]<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Project Legacy]]''</ref> Levantine Rite Knights Templar 1201 – 1208
ACU De Molay Render.png|[[Jacques de Molay]]<ref name="Encyclopedia" /> [[Parisian Rite of the Templar Order|French Rite]] Knights Templar 1292 – 1312
ACB Rodrigo render.png|[[Rodrigo Borgia]]<ref name="AC2" /><ref name="ACB" /> [[Roman Rite of the Templar Order|Roman Rite]] 1476 – 1503
ACB Cesare render.png|[[Cesare Borgia]]<ref name="ACB novel" /> Roman Rite 1500 – 1503 {{C|''de facto''}} 1503 – 1507 {{C|''de jure''}}
ACR Ahmet v.png|[[Ahmet]]<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: The Essential Guide]]''</ref> [[Byzantine Rite of the Templar Order|Byzantine Rite]] c. 1509 – 1512
AC4 Laureano Torres render.png|[[Laureano de Torres y Ayala]]<ref name="AC4" /> [[West Indies Rite of the Templar Order|West Indies Rite]] c. 1673 – 1722
Reginald Birch ACIII.png|[[Reginald Birch]]<ref name="AC3">''[[Assassin's Creed III]]''</ref> [[British Rite of the Templar Order|British Rite]] c. 1735 – 1757
AC3 Haytham Kenway render.png|[[Haytham Kenway]]<ref name="AC3" /> [[Colonial Rite of the Templar Order|Colonial Rite]] 1754 – 1781
AC3 Charles Lee.png|[[Charles Lee]]<ref name="AC3" /> Colonial Rite 1781 – 1782
ACU De La Serre Render.png|[[François de la Serre]]<ref name="ACU" /> [[Parisian Rite of the Templar Order|Parisian Rite]] 1768 – 1789
ACU Germain Render.png|[[François-Thomas Germain]]<ref name="ACU" /> Parisian Rite 1789 – 1794
Wiki noimage.jpg|[[William M. Tweed]]<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Last Descendants]]''</ref> American Rite c. 1863
ACS Crawford Starrick Render.png|[[Crawford Starrick]]<ref name="ACS" /> British Rite ? – 1868
ACTemp Thaddeus Gift.jpg|[[Thaddeus Gift]]<ref name="ACT">''[[Assassin's Creed: Templars]]''</ref> British Rite ? – 1927
Wiki noimage.jpg|[[Sun Yat-sen]]<ref name="ACT"/> [[Chinese Rite of the Templar Order|Chinese Rite]] ? – 1925
ACT Fessenden.jpg|[[Stirling Fessenden]]<ref name="ACT"/> Chinese Rite 1925 – ?
ACM Templar Rikkin.jpg|[[Alan Rikkin]]<ref name="ACMN">''[[Assassin's Creed: The Official Movie Novelization]]''</ref> ''Worldwide'' ? – 2016
Wiki noimage.jpg|[[American Grand Master]]<ref name="ACU database"/> American Rite c. 2014
Wiki noimage.jpg|[[Caribbean Grand Master]]<ref name="ACU database"/> West Indies Rite c. 2014
Wiki noimage.jpg|[[Mexican Grand Master]]<ref name="ACU database"/> [[Mexican Rite of the Templar Order|Mexican Rite]] c. 2014
</gallery>

==Trivia==
*''Assassin's Creed'' material occasionally identifies Assassins, including Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad, [[Mario Auditore]], [[Honoré Gabriel Riqueti, comte de Mirabeau|Mirabeau]] and [[Mujir]] as Mentors of the Assassin Brotherhood.

==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Templars nav}}

[[pt-br:Grão-Mestre]]
[[Category:Templar ranks]]

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Grand Master of the Templar Order