Evrard des Barrès

Evrard des Barrès (or Everard von Barres, or Eberhard De Bären) (? - 1174) was the third Grand Master of the Knights Templar.

Biography

He ruled the order from March 1147 to 1151. When Grand Master Robert de Craon died in January 1147, he was one of the main dignitaries of the Templar Order, since Evrard bore the title of Preceptor of France. As soon as he was appointed, he must intervene militarily at the head of his Templars to save the King of France, Louis VII, who, leading the Second Crusade, finds himself in a compromised situation in the gorges of Pisidia.

According to the chronicler Odon de Deuil, Evrard des Barrès is a very religious man, eminently respectable and who possesses the values of a knight, brave and energetic. His influence on Louis VII seems to have been very important. When the Second Crusade ends due to the failure of the siege of Damascus (1148), Louis VII returns to France followed by Evrard, who lends him a considerable amount of money. It is a precedent that will set a school. However, the Grand Master abandons his troops, who triumph in defending Jerusalem against a raid of Turkish troops (around 1149/1150).

Upon his return, Evrard des Barrès embraced monastic life in Clairvaux (Claraval) and abdicated in 1151 despite pressure from the Templars to continue in office. He died in 1174. He was succeeded by Bernard de Tremelay.

Predecessor: Robert of Craon

Grand Master of Temple Order 1147 - 1151

Successor: Bernard de Tremelay