Bernard de Tramelay

Bernard de Tramelay (- August 16th 1153) is the fourth Master of the Ordre of the Temple (1152 - August 16th 1153).

Burgundian of birth and former commander of Pares, in Franche-Comté, it would seem to have succeeded a Master called Hugues, whose existence is extremely doubtful and which only Of Cange quotes. According to the chroniclers of the crusades, Bernard de Tremblay would have rebuilt the town of Gaza.

He died at the time of the battles of Ascalon, with all Templiers which was under its orders, with the last but one attack of the August 14th 1153 little before the catch of the city. The obituaire of Rheims announces its death the 17 of the calends of September, that is to say on August 16th. That corresponds to the dates of the chronicles, since Ascalon fell between the hands from Baudouin III, on August 19th of this same year.

Detailed biography

Bernard de Tramelay or Dramelay, or Dramelet was born with the castle from this name around Saint-Claude, in the the Jura. II is elected in 1151 with the succession of Evrard of the Bars, after a certain Hugues had taken over temporarily the duties, time, undoubtedly, that the preceding Master confirms his resignation. Baudouin III offers to the Order the citadel in ruins of Gaza.

" These monk-warriors, known as Guillaume de Tyr, who however the jealous one, people full with courage, completed to strengthen this city by raising turns and new cuttings off, and they made an impregnable place of weapons of it, from where they repressed the races of the garrison of Ascalon and forced finally the Sarrasins to be contained in their murailles."

In 1153, Templiers take part in the head office of Ascalon, that Baudouin III wants to tear off with the Egyptians. Templiers build a travelling tower that besieged manage to ignite. But they are betrayed by the wind, which blows the flames on the ramparts, and opens a breach in which engulf Templiers. Bernard de Tramelay, to the head of his men, leads the attack without warning Baudouin III.

" According to Guillaume de Tyr, it is because he does not want to divide with him the butin". According to other chroniclers, it is simply because, in the fire of the action, it did not think of it.

II will pay this omission of its life, and that of its escort. Besieged, having noted their small number, forty, seize again themselves, and massacre them. Their bodies are exposed on the ramparts, their heads cut to be sent to the sultan, in Egypt. Then they push to the camping of Baudouin III.

The combat is bloody, and lengthily dubious. The Francs carry it thanks to Templiers remained near the king of Jerusalem.

August 19th, 1153, the standard templier floats on the ramparts of Ascalon. The extraordinary courage of Templiers at the time of the battle is sung until in the courses of Occident; the pope Anastase IV grants new privileges to them. It is André de Montbard which succeeds to him the head of the order.

References

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