French knight named Hugues de Payens. Hugues de Payens was born somewhere around 1070 in the land of Payens. Little is actually known of Hugues de Payens youth but still plays a critical role in the history of the Templar Knights. In 1085 he dubbed a knight due to being mentioned as Lord of Montigny. It is unknown to say that he was involved in the First Crusade but many historians believe that he was indeed involved in it (Templarhistory.com » Blog Archive » Hugues de Payens – The First Grand Master)
Between 1118 and 1119 a French knights, Hugues de Payens, suggested the idea of the Knights Templar to Baldwin II. The purpose of the Knights Templar was to protect Christian pilgrims traveling to the Holy Lands. Baldwin eventually agreed to the proposition and accepted their services. In the beginning the Templars only consisted of a total of nine French knights, which were ordered to take vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience before they were announced as an official member of the Templars.
organization began after 700 Christian pilgrims, whom were on the path to the Jordan River, were attacked by Saracens, the Muslim inhabitants of the deserts near Syria. Out of the 700, 300 were killed. After this massacre, two French noblemen Hugues de Payen and Godfrey de St Omer, were allowed an audience with Baldwin II, whom was the king of Jerusalem at the time, who gave them permission to start their order as a small monastic brotherhoo...
French Crusader named Hugues de Payens and seven companions appointed themselves protectors of pilgrims in the Holy Land. Jerusalem's King Baldwin II joined the Patriarch of Jerusalem in support of this small band of men dedicated to Christ, providing them a home in the temple adjoining the royal palace. Living on alms, they became known as the Poor Knights of the Temple. Ten years after its establishment, however, the order's modest fortunes changed. Seeking new recruits, Hugues traveled to France