ROMSO Cyprus Knowledge Base

Guillaume de Beaujeu: The Last Grand Master of the Knights Templar

Guillaume de Beaujeu, also known as William of Beaujeu, was the 21st Grand Master of the Knights Templar, serving from 1273 until his death during the siege of Acre in 1291. Born around 1230, he came from an important noble family related to King Louis IX of France and Charles I of Anjou, king of Sicily.

De Beaujeu entered the Templar Order at a young age and began his career as a Templar commander in the province of Tripoli in 1271. He later became the master of the Templar Province of Apulia and Sicily from 1272. In 1273, he was elected Grand Master of the Templar Order and arrived in San Giovanni d'Acri, Cyprus, only after being summoned by Pope Gregory X to attend the Council of Lyon II.

During his tenure as Grand Master, de Beaujeu played a crucial role in defending the city of Acre against the Mamluk forces. In 1290, Sultan Qalawun marched on Acre but died before launching an attack. De Beaujeu took advantage of this opportunity to launch a counterattack, but he was mortally wounded during the siege.

According to his secretary, de Beaujeu's final words were "Je ne m'enfuis pas; je suis un homme qui a perdu sa vie" ("I am not running away; I am going to run away"), as he showed off the mortal wound he had received – an arrow that had penetrated his mail under his axilla. De Beaujeu died of his wounds, and the city fell to the Mamluks, signaling the end of Crusader occupation of the Holy Land.

De Beaujeu's legacy is remembered by several historical figures. Sultan Malik al-Arshaf, his enemy, praised him as "true and wise" in a letter written in 1290. His secretary described de Beaujeu as someone who had brought honor and fear to the Temple under his mandate. De Beaujeu was also known for his close political ties with Charles of Anjou, king of Sicily.

De Beaujeu's family connections were significant; he was a cousin of King Louis IX and Louis VIII of France through his father, Guichard de Beaujeu-Montpensier. His