Philip of Milly, also known as Philip de Milly Lord of Nablus, was a renowned knight and the Grand Master of the Knights Templar. He was one of the most significant figures in the history of the Knights Templar, a military order established in the 12th century to protect Christian pilgrims traveling to the Holy Land. Philip of Milly played a crucial role in the order’s activities during the Crusades and was instrumental in defense of Jerusalem against Saladin’s forces. In this article, we will explore the life and legacy of this remarkable knight and leader.
Early Life
Philip of Milly was born in 1120 in the County of Laon, France. He was a member of the Milly family, a prominent noble family that had established itself in the Holy Land during the First Crusade. His father, Guy of Milly, was the lord of the castle of Nablus, a strategic fortress in the Kingdom of Jerusalem. Philip grew up in the Holy Land, surrounded by the turmoil of the Crusades and the constant threat of Muslim attacks. He received a rigorous military education and became an expert in horsemanship and sword fighting.
Knighthood and Service in the Holy Land
Philip of Milly was knighted in 1147 during the Second Crusade, and he immediately joined the forces of King Baldwin III of Jerusalem. He participated in several battles and military campaigns, demonstrating his courage and military skills. In 1152, he married his cousin, Isabella, the heiress of the lordship of Oultrejordain, a vast territory south of the Dead Sea. This marriage further increased his power and influence in the Holy Land.
In 1161, Philip’s father, Guy of Milly, died, and Philip inherited the castle of Nablus and the lordship of Oultrejordain. He became one of the most powerful lords in the Kingdom of Jerusalem, with extensive territories and significant wealth. He continued to serve the kings of Jerusalem and participated in defense of the kingdom against the Muslim armies.
The Role of Philip of Milly in the Kingdom of Jerusalem
Philip of Milly was born into a prominent noble family that had established itself in the Holy Land during the First Crusade. His father, Guy of Milly, was the lord of the castle of Nablus, a strategic fortress in the Kingdom of Jerusalem. Philip inherited his father’s lands and titles in 1161, becoming one of the most powerful lords in the kingdom.
As the lord of Nablus and Oultrejordain, Philip of Milly played a crucial role in defense of the Kingdom of Jerusalem. He participated in several battles and military campaigns, demonstrating his courage and military skills. He was also a respected advisor to the kings of Jerusalem, and his influence extended beyond his territories.
Philip of Milly was known for his piety and devotion to the Christian faith. He was a patron of several churches and monasteries and helped establish a new order of religious women, the Order of St. John of Jerusalem. He was also a generous benefactor of the Knights Templar, providing them with land, money, and support.
Philip of Milly was a significant figure in the Kingdom of Jerusalem, respected for his military prowess, wisdom, and devotion to the Christian faith. His influence extended beyond his lands, and he played a crucial role in defense of the kingdom against the Muslim armies. His decision to join the Knights Templar and become its Grand Master further demonstrated his commitment to the cause of the Holy Land and his dedication to serving God.
The History and Purpose of the Knights Templar
Established in the 12th century, the Knights Templar, also known as the Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Christ and of the Temple of Solomon, was a religious and military order. Its founding members were a group of French knights who pledged to safeguard Christian pilgrims journeying to the Holy Land. The order’s popularity and influence grew rapidly, and it became one of the most affluent and powerful organizations in Europe. Its reach extended beyond its primary mission, as it also provided banking and financial services, making it a popular destination for wealthy merchants and pilgrims.
The Knights Templar was unique in many ways. It was a religious order and had a strong military presence. Its members were knights who took vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience but also fought in battles and military campaigns. The order was also known for its banking and financial services, which made it a popular destination for wealthy pilgrims and merchants.
The purpose of the Knights Templar was to defend the Holy Land and protect Christian pilgrims from Muslim attacks. The order established a network of commanderies and fortresses throughout the Crusader States, and its members fought in several battles and military campaigns. The Knights Templar also played a crucial role in the defense of Jerusalem, which was constantly threatened by Muslim armies.
The Knights Templar was a complex and influential organization that played a significant role in the history of the Crusades and the Christian world.
Philip of Milly and the Knights Templar
In 1165, Philip of Milly joined the Knights Templar, a military order established a few decades earlier. The order was dedicated to protecting Christian pilgrims traveling to the Holy Land and defending the territories of the Crusader States. Philip’s decision to join the Knights Templar was significant, as he was already a powerful lord and did not need protection or patronage. However, he was attracted to the order’s ideals and saw it as a way to serve God and defend the Holy Land.
Philip of Milly quickly rose through the ranks of the Knights Templar and became the Grand Master in 1169. As the leader of the order, he oversaw its activities and missions and was responsible for its members’ training and discipline. He also played a crucial role in defense of Jerusalem against Saladin’s forces in 1187. Philip of Milly valiantly led a small band of Knights Templar and Hospitallers in a fierce defense of Jerusalem, but they ultimately succumbed to the superior forces of the Muslim armies. As a result, Philip was taken captive, but was eventually released. Despite this setback, he continued to dedicate his life to promoting the cause of the Holy Land and the Knights Templar, spending the remainder of his days in France.
Philip of Milly’s Leadership During the Defense of Jerusalem
Philip of Milly’s leadership during the defense of Jerusalem against Saladin’s forces in 1187 was one of the most significant moments in his career as the Grand Master of the Knights Templar. He led a small group of Knights Templar and Hospitallers in a desperate defense of the city, but they were eventually overwhelmed by the Muslim armies.
Philip of Milly’s bravery and military skills during the defense of Jerusalem were widely recognized, and he became a symbol of the Christian resistance against the Muslim armies. He was eventually captured by Saladin’s forces and taken into captivity, along with several other Christian leaders.
During his captivity, Philip of Milly maintained his courage and faith, and he refused to renounce his beliefs or convert to Islam. He was soon released and returned to France, where he spent the rest of his life promoting the cause of the Holy Land and the Knights Templar.
Overall, Philip of Milly’s leadership during the defense of Jerusalem was a testament to his dedication to the cause of the Holy Land and his commitment to serving God. His bravery and military skills inspired his fellow knights and demonstrated the strength and resilience of the Christian forces in the face of adversity. To this day, Philip of Milly remains an emblem of faith and bravery, inspiring and captivating people worldwide with his enduring legacy.
Legacy
Philip of Milly’s legacy is significant, both for the Knights Templar and the history of the Crusades. As the Grand Master of the Knights Templar, he helped shape the order’s activities and ideals and played a vital role in its military campaigns. He was also a powerful lord and a respected leader in the Kingdom of Jerusalem, and his influence extended beyond his role in the Knights Templar. He was known for his piety, wisdom, and courage, and both Christians and Muslims admired him.
After his capture by Saladin’s forces, Philip of Milly Templar spent several years in captivity but was eventually released. He returned to France, where he spent the rest of his life. Philip participated in several diplomatic missions, trying to raise support and funds for the Crusader States. He also helped recruit new members for the Knights Templar and established several new commanderies in France.
Philip of Milly Knights Templar died in 1171, at the age of 51, in a battle against the Muslim armies. His death was a significant loss for the Knights Templar and the Kingdom of Jerusalem. He was buried in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem, next to his father.
Final words
Philip of Milly was one of the most significant figures in the history of the Knights Templar and the Crusades. He was a powerful lord, a respected leader, and a skilled warrior. His decision to join the Knights Templar and become its Grand Master demonstrated his commitment to the cause of the Holy Land and his dedication to serving God. His leadership and military skills were instrumental in the defense of Jerusalem against Saladin’s forces, and his legacy continued to inspire the Knights Templar and other Christian orders for centuries.
Today, Philip of Milly is remembered as a hero and a symbol of the Crusader States’ struggle to defend their faith and territories. His life and legacy inspire all those who seek to serve God and protect their beliefs, even in the face of adversity and danger. The Knights Templar may no longer exist as an organization, but the memory of Philip of Milly and his fellow knights continues to inspire and captivate people around the world.