Those who are soldiers of the temple are of God.
Hugues de Payns was related to Count Hugues de Champagne. With their mutual friend Bernard de Fontaine, the Knights Templar become known. Remarkably, they come from the same region; Champagne originate. A high place of Christianity.
He was born on February 9, 1074 in the small village of Payns, ten kilometers north of Troyes, under the name Hugo de Pedano, Montiniaci dominus (Montigny-lès-Lagesse). Hugues is as a vassal of Hugo de Champagne; then witness his deeds, for the benefit of the abbey of Montiéramey.
Hugues de Payns made at least two voyages to the east after the First Crusade, in 1104 – 1105 and in 1114 – 1115, both times in the company of Count Hugues de Champagne.
In 1108, he married a noble young girl from southern Champagne, Elisabeth de Chappes. They had four children.
In 1113, Hugues de Payns appears for the last time in a charter of Montiéramey with the title Lord of Payns. He left Champagne for good with Count Hugues in 1114 and now devoted himself to the organization of the burgeoning militia of the “Poor Knights of Christ”. The first disciples of Hugh de Payns took an oath to Patriarch Garimond of Jerusalem, took in his hands the triple vow of chastity, poverty, and obedience, and lived by the rule of the canons regular.
He died in Palestine on May 24, 1136
After Jaques Molay, the longest serving Grand Master for 18 years
(Jaques Molay 21 years old !)
A modest museum about Hugues de Payns can be visited at:
Musée des Templiers Hugues de Payns
10 Voie Riot
10600 PAYNS