Bernard de Clairvaux

Bernard de Clairvaux (Latin: Bernardus Claraevallensis; 1090 – 1153) was a French abbot and the primary builder of the reformist Cistercian monastic order. He was also an influential member of the Templar Order.

Bernard realized that, in order to further increase its power, the Templars needed to become an ally of the Catholic Church. He sent nine of his trusted men to the Holy Land, searching for Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem. Nine years later, they returned and Bernard reformed the Templar Order. Together with Hugues de Payens, he formed the Latin Rule and eventually gained the support of the Church, ensuring that the Templars would be confirmed during the Council of Troyes in 1129; thus forming the official Order of the Knights Templar.

Trivia

• Historically, Bernard features as a character in Dante Alighieri's epic poem, the Divine Comedy, in the role of Dante's final guide to the heavenly vision of God. Ironically, in-universe Bernard is a Templar while Dante is a member of the Assassin Brotherhood.

Gallery

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  Saint Bernard de Clairvaux by Philippe de Champaigne

Appearances

• Assassin's Creed: Revelations – Abstergo Files