Robert IV of Sablé
Robert IV de Sablé (1150 – September 23, 1193), simply called Robert de Sablé, was an Angevin nobleman and eleventh Grand Master of the Knights Templar. between June 1191 and September 1193, who fought alongside Richard I of England in the Third Crusade.
Biography
Robert IV de Sablé was born in Anjou, France, in 1150, son of Robert III de Sablé, and the Lady Hersende d'Anthenaise de Chaouches and de Malicorne, daughter of Savary I d'Anthenaise.
Travel to the courts of Henry II of England and Ricardo I of England. The Knight, to fight, left for Spain, Portugal and Sicily.
In 1189 Robert de Sablé entered the Knights Templar, and acquired the position of Grand Master when he arrived in Acre two years later, in 1191, to aid his Order's efforts in the Third Crusade.
Holding the position for a short period of time, he was able to conquer Acre for the Christians, ensuring Templar control over it. He dedicated himself to securing the cities of Damascus, Jerusalem and Acre in Templar hands, to prepare to fight against the leaders of the Crusades, Richard I of England and Saladin.
On September 7, 1191, De Sablé was in Arsuf helping Richard in the Third Crusade, to convince him that he should ally himself with Saladin.
Grand Master of the Order of the Temple
Being part of the local nobility, he was initiated in the Temple Order.
In 1190, Richard I of England participated in the Third Crusade in an attempt to take Jerusalem. Ricardo was accompanied by De Sablé, thus becoming his advisor. They arrived in Acre on June 6, 1191, where shortly after de Sablé was named Grand Master of the Knights Templar. He aimed to exploit the war of the Crusades to the maximum to take the region, building a New World. On July 12, 1191, the crusaders took Acre thanks to the actions of De Sablé.
Battle of Arsuf and death
On September 7, 1193, the Crusaders and Saracens met at Arsuf, beginning the Third Crusade. De Sablé was in Richard's camp advising him about the battle, while they discussed tactics to defeat the Muslims.
On September 23, 1193, Robert de Sablé died in battle at the age of 43.
Offspring
In 1174 Robert de Sablé married Clemence de Mayenne, daughter of Geoffroy III de Mayenne and Isabelle de Meulan. Clemence appeared repeatedly in the acts of her husband, but after 1189 there is no historical data about Clemence. It is known that since his entry into the Templar Order he was a widower.
With this marriage he had three children:
- Geoffroy de Cornillé
- Margarita de Sablé (1175-1238), wife of William des Roches
- Philippe de Sablé
Ancestry
| 16. Robert de Nevers | ||||||||||||||||
| 8. Robert II de Sablé | ||||||||||||||||
| 17. Avoise de Sablé | ||||||||||||||||
| 4. Lisiard de Sablé | ||||||||||||||||
| 18. Herbert de La Suse | ||||||||||||||||
| 9. Hersende de la Suze | ||||||||||||||||
| 19. Eremburge | ||||||||||||||||
| 2. Robert III de Sablé | ||||||||||||||||
| 20. Arthaud I of Briollay, Lord of Rochefort | ||||||||||||||||
| 10. Geoffroy de Briollay, Mr. Champtoceaux | ||||||||||||||||
| 21. Gimme Alsende de Rochefort | ||||||||||||||||
| 5. Thiphaine de Briollay | ||||||||||||||||
| 22. Jean I de Beauvau, lord of Jarzé | ||||||||||||||||
| 11. Garnoise de Jarzé | ||||||||||||||||
| 23. Berthe de Mayenne | ||||||||||||||||
| 1. Robert IV de Sablé | ||||||||||||||||
| 6. Savary I d'Anthenaise | ||||||||||||||||
| 3. Hersende d'Anthenaise de Chaouches y de Malicorne | ||||||||||||||||
Legacy
A Nizari wrote in a codex the state of the Templars after the death of De Sablé.
The Templars would remember de Sablé as a brave man and an illustrious mind in history who, despite his short mandate, had changed the way of thinking of their Order.
| Predecessor: Gérard de Ridefort |  1191 - 1193 | Successor: Gilbert Hérail |
In popular culture
In the Assassin's Creed video game, Robert de Sablé takes the role of the main antagonist, in which he dies at the hands of Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad.