Peire de Montagut

Peire de Montagut [1] (? – 28 January 1232) was Grand Master of the Knights Templar from 1218 to 1232. He took part in the Fifth Crusade and was against the Sultan of Egypt's conditions for raising the siege of Damietta. He was previously Master of the Crown of Aragon.

Not to be confused with Pere de Montagut.
Peire de Montagut
Pedro de Montaigú
Coat of arms of Pere de Montagut
15th Grand Master of the Knights Templar
In office
1218–1232
Preceded byGuillaume de Chartres
Succeeded byArmand de Périgord
Personal details
BornUnknown
Died28 January 1232
NationalitySpanish
Military service
Allegiance Knights Templar
Battles/wars

Personal details

A close friend of William of Chartres, it was most likely the trust the previous Grand Master had in him which meant he himself was elected so quickly in 1218. At the same time, the Grand Master of the Knights Hospitaller was Guérin de Montaigu, who is likely to have been Pere's brother. The close relationship between the two military orders during this period was probably a result of this.[2]

Military record

His actions against the Muslim forces working for the capture of Jerusalem were so effective, that they were forced to propose a surrender. In return for the Templars calling off their siege at Damietta, the Islamic forces would return many Frankish soldiers, halt attacks on Jerusalem and most importantly, return the part of the True Cross, captured from the Europeans at the Battle of Hattin. Catholic pressure meant the Muslim terms were refused and the carnage continued. His military victories, aided by the Hospitaller knights, made him a renowned warrior.

Notes
  1. Known in Catalan as Pere de Montagut and in French as Pierre de Montaigu.
  2. Riley-Smith, Jonathan (1967). The Knights of St. John in Jerusalem and Cyprus, c. 1050-1310. Macmillan. p. 156
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