André de Montbard

André de Montbard, born in the year one thousand one hundred and three, emerged from the esteemed Montbard family of Burgundy, known for their high nobility. He was notably the uncle of St. Bernard of Clairvaux, being a half-brother to Bernard's mother, Aleth de Montbard, who was married to the knight Tescelin Sorus, the father of Bernard.

In the year one thousand one hundred and twenty-nine, André joined the Knights Templar, embarking on a journey to Palestine. His dedication and leadership skills quickly propelled him to the position of seneschal, serving as the deputy and second-in-command to the Grand Master. His military acumen was further demonstrated during the Siege of Ascalon on the twenty-second of August, one thousand one hundred and fifty-three.

Following the death of Grand Master Bernard de Tremelay, who was killed in an assault on the city on the sixteenth of August, André was elected as the fifth Grand Master of the Knights Templar. His tenure was marked by a commitment to the Order and its mission.

André de Montbard's life came to a close on the seventeenth of January, one thousand one hundred and fifty-six, in Jerusalem. He was succeeded by Bertrand de Blanchefort, leaving behind a legacy intertwined with the early history of the Knights Templar.