GERARD DE RIDEFORT — THE MASTER OF HATTIN

Gerard de Ridefort was one of the most controversial Grand Masters of the Knights Templar. A knight from the West who rose through the ranks of the Templars, Gerard eventually became Master of the Temple during one of the most dangerous periods in the history of the Crusader States. In 1187, the armies of the Kingdom of Jerusalem marched toward the forces of Saladin. The result was catastrophic. At the **Battle of Hattin**, the Crusader army was destroyed. The True Cross was captured, Jerusalem was soon lost, and many Templars and Hospitallers were killed or captured. Gerard de Ridefort survived the disaster. But his story did not end at Hattin. He returned to the war and continued fighting during the struggle for the survival of the Crusader States. In 1189, during the siege of Acre, Gerard de Ridefort was killed. His life became inseparable from one of the greatest turning points of the Crusades: *Hattin. Jerusalem. Acre.* This is the story of a Templar Master who lived through catastrophe — and died on the battlefield. From **The Ballad Archives**. #KnightsTemplar #BattleOfHattin #Crusades