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{{Era|AC1|ACBL|AC2|ACB|ACR|TSC|Renaissance|Bbook|Rbook|Templars}}
{{Era|AC|ACBL|AC2|ACB|ACR|TSC|Renaissance|Bbook|Rbook|Templars}}
{{WP-REAL|Grand Masters of the Knights Templar}}
{{WP-REAL|Grand Masters of the Knights Templar}}
{{Youmay|the highest rank of the Templar Order|the Assassin Order equivalent, the [[Mentor]]}}
{{Youmay|the highest rank of the Templar Order|the Assassin Order equivalent, the [[Mentor]]}}
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The title of '''Grand Master''' was the highest rank attainable within the [[Templars|Templar Order]] and granted the bearer full control over its members and their operations.
The title of '''Grand Master''' was the highest rank attainable within the [[Templars|Templar Order]] and granted the bearer full control over its members and their operations.


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


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


==History==
==History==
===Middle Ages===
===Middle Ages===
After two years without a Grand Master, [[Robert de Sable]] entered the order of the Knights Templar and reigned as their Grand Master during 1191. During his reign, he sought the [[Pieces of Eden]], particularly the [[Second Apple|Apple of Eden]]. After having lost the apple, he launched an attack to [[Masyaf]], the stronghold of the Assassins. During the [[Battle of Arsuf]], he was killed by his rival, [[Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad|Altaïr]].<ref name="AC">''[[Assassin's Creed]]''</ref>
After two years without a Grand Master, [[Robert de Sable]] entered the order of the Knights Templar and reigned as their Grand Master 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 attack to [[Masyaf]], the stronghold of the Assassins. Later on, during the [[Battle of Arsuf]], he was killed by his rival, [[Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad]].<ref name="AC">''[[Assassin's Creed]]''</ref>


After the death of Robert, [[Armand Bouchart]] took the title of Grand Master. He and the Templars retreated to [[Cyprus]] after Robert's death. However, Altaïr pursued him and in the [[Templar Archive]], they fought each other. Altaïr won the fight, and the Templars lost another leader.<ref name="ACBL">''[[Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines]]''</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 [[France|French]] King [[Philip le Bel]] was unknowingly influenced by the [[Assassins]], and conspired against the Templars. The Templars were branded heretics and hundreds of them were arrested, and the last official Grand Master, [[Jacques de Molay]], understood that the Order would not survive as a public organization. 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. Before his death, Molay sent nine of his most trusted men out into the world to continue his work.<ref name="Encyclopedia">''[[Assassin's Creed Encyclopedia]]''</ref>
During the early 14th century, the [[France|French]] King [[Philip le Bel]] was unknowingly influenced by the [[Assassins]], and 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">''[[Assassin's Creed Encyclopedia]]''</ref>


===Renaissance===
===Renaissance===
By 1476, the Templars in Europe were eventually led by [[Rodrigo Borgia]], a cardinal under [[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, using 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"/>
By 1476, the Templars in Europe were eventually led by [[Rodrigo Borgia]], a cardinal under [[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 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 [[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="ACBH">''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]''</ref>
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 [[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="ACBH novel">[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (novel)|''Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood'' novel]]</ref> though without his father's power in the Church, Cesare could not maintain the same influence in Europe that his father had. Cesare was imprisoned, and upon escaping, fled to his brother-in-law [[John III of Navarre]] in Navarre, Spain. He was ultimately killed during the [[Siege of Viana]] in 1507 by Ezio Auditore,<ref name="ACBH"/> destabilizing the Templars in Europe and causing them to temporarily withdraw.<ref name="ACR">''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]''</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 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]] in 1507 by Ezio Auditore,<ref name="ACBH"/> destabilizing the Templars in Europe and causing them to temporarily withdraw.<ref name="ACR">''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]''</ref>


===Modern times===
===Modern times===
Line 33: Line 33:
Armand Bouchart.jpg|[[Armand Bouchart]]<ref name="ACBL"/><br>1191 - 1193
Armand Bouchart.jpg|[[Armand Bouchart]]<ref name="ACBL"/><br>1191 - 1193
Molay.jpg|[[Jacques de Molay]]<ref name="Encyclopedia"/><br>1292 - 1312
Molay.jpg|[[Jacques de Molay]]<ref name="Encyclopedia"/><br>1292 - 1312
Char rodrigo.png|[[Rodrigo Borgia]]<ref name="AC2"/><ref name="ACBH"/><br>? - 1503
Char rodrigo.png|[[Rodrigo Borgia]]<ref name="AC2"/><ref name="ACB"/><br>? - 1503
Char cesare.png|[[Cesare Borgia]]<ref name="ACBH novel"/><br>1500 - 1503 {{c|de facto}}<br>1503 - 1507 {{c|de jure}}
Char cesare.png|[[Cesare Borgia]]<ref name="ACB novel"/><br>1500 - 1503 {{c|de facto}}<br>1503 - 1507 {{c|de jure}}
</gallery>
</gallery>


==Notes and references==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}
[[Category:Templar Order]]
[[Category:Templar Order]]

Revision as of 16:11, 30 July 2012


This article is about the highest rank of the Templar Order. You may be looking for the Assassin Order equivalent, the Mentor.

The title of Grand Master was the highest rank attainable within the Templar Order and granted the bearer full control over its members and their operations.

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

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 racial backgrounds and cultural heritages had assumed the mantle of Grand Master throughout the Templars' longevity.

History

Middle Ages

After two years without a Grand Master, Robert de Sable entered the order of the Knights Templar and reigned as their Grand Master during 1191. During his reign, he sought the Pieces of Eden, particularly the Apple of Eden. After having lost the Apple, he launched an attack to Masyaf, the stronghold of the Assassins. Later on, during the Battle of Arsuf, he was killed by his rival, Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad.[1]

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.[2]

During the early 14th century, the French King Philip le Bel was unknowingly influenced by the Assassins, and 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.[3]

Renaissance

By 1476, the Templars in Europe were eventually led by Rodrigo Borgia, a cardinal under Pope Sixtus IV. Operating from Rome, Rodrigo's primary objective was to unite Italy under the Templar banner,[4] 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.[3] 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.[4]

Rodrigo then secured the power of the Church for the Templars, and from the Vatican, he oversaw the progress of the other Templars in Europe, including 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.[5]

After he killed his own father in August 1503, Cesare became the official Grand Master of the Order,[6] 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 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 in 1507 by Ezio Auditore,[7] destabilizing the Templars in Europe and causing them to temporarily withdraw.[8]

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 highest-ranking employees all held some form of leadership in the Templar Order,[9] there was still a Grand Master serving as the head of the company.[10]

Known Grand Masters

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Assassin's Creed
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Assassin's Creed Encyclopedia
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Assassin's Creed II
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood novel
  7. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named ACBH
  8. ↑ Assassin's Creed: Revelations
  9. ↑ Assassin's Creed: Revelations - Abstergo Files
  10. ↑ Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood - Rifts
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