Bernard de Tramelay was born in the castle of Tramelay near Saint-Claude in the Frensh Jura. As young man he joined the Knight Templars. Quickly he rose through the ranks and became Master of a Templer house in an unknown place. After the abduction of Everard des Barres in June 1151 he was elected as the 4th Grand Master. King Baldwin III granted him the ruined city Gaza, which he rebuilt. His leadership was immediately tested. He faced multiple challenges in navigating the complex political landscape of the Crusader states and their Muslim counterparts. He had to coordinate with other military orders, such as the Knight Hospitallers, and maintain diplomatic relations with key political figures, like King Louis VII of France and Emperor Conrad III of the Holy Roman Empire. Under Bernard de Tremelay’s leadership, the Knights Templars experienced significant growth and transformation. His strong vision for the Order and his exceptional skills as a commander helped solidify the Templars’ role in the Crusades. They elevated their status as a respected and formidable force. One of the key aspects of this evolution was the increasing prominence of the Templars in military campaigns. Bernard’s commitment to strategic planning and effective battle tactics helped the order gain the confidence of both its allies and enemies. Another significant challenge was the diverse composition of the Crusader forces, consisting of troops from different European cultures, kingdoms, and regions. Bernard had to ensure that the Knight Templar could work effectively alongside these groups. In 1153 the templars participated in the battle against the city of Ascalon The city, located on the Mediterranean coast and was a strategic stronghold of the Fatimid Muslim forces. Capturing Ascalon was vital to secure the Crusader kingdom against Muslim invasions from Egypt. During the siege, the Templars constructed a siege tower, which was burned down by the Egyptian soldiers inside Ascalon. The wind caught the flames and part of the walls of Ascalon burned down as well. A small group of knights of the Order immediately rushed through the breach without King Baldwins knowledge. Bernhard prevented other Crusaders from following because he did not want to share the spoils. Bernard and about forty of his Templars were captured. by the larger Egyptian garrison and the same day (August 16, 1153) beheaded. Their bodies were displayed on the ramparts and their heads were sent to the sultan in Egypt. A few days later, Baldwin captured the fortress. Shortly thereafter, Andre de Montbard was elected as the 5th Grandmaster.
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