Raymond du Puy

Raymond du Puy, born in the year one thousand eighty, was a distinguished warrior monk hailing from the Dauphiné region, which was then part of the Holy Roman Empire. He is best remembered as the second master of the Knights Hospitaller, also known as the Order of St. John of Jerusalem. His leadership spanned from around one thousand one hundred twenty-one until one thousand one hundred sixty, marking a significant era in the Order's history.

Officially succeeding Blessed Gerard, the founder of the Knights Hospitaller, Raymond's ascension to the role of master followed a brief period of interim leadership by Pierre de Barcelona and Boyant Roger. While traditionally noted as Gerard's direct successor upon the latter's death in one thousand one hundred eighteen or one thousand one hundred twenty, Raymond's formal assumption of the magisterium occurred in one thousand one hundred twenty-one or one thousand one hundred twenty-three.

During his tenure, Raymond du Puy made pivotal contributions to the structure and organization of the Order. He divided its membership into three distinct categories: clerical, military, and serving brothers. This classification not only streamlined operations but also enhanced the Order's effectiveness in its mission.

One of his most notable achievements was the establishment of the first significant Hospitaller infirmary near the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. This facility became a cornerstone of the Order's commitment to providing care and support to pilgrims and the sick, solidifying its reputation as a vital institution in the region.