Raymond Du Puy
Raymond Du Puy [1]
nephew of the preceding, second grand-master of the Knights of Malta, was born in Dauphiny about 1080. He entered the Hospital of St. John at Jerusalem, and after having attended on the poor and the sick pilgrims there for more than twenty years, was elected president about 1121. Du Puy organized the Knights of Malta into a military body, designed to defend the holy places against the infidels. Then his order was divided into three classes, of which the first comprised all noblemen, the second the priests and chaplains, and the third, under the name of serving brothers, private persons. He gave them, at the same time, rules, which were confirmed by the pope in 1127. He contributed very strongly to the taking of Ascalon in 1154, and defeated with his chevaliers the sultan at the battle of Noureddin. He died in 1160, from the effect of the wounds which he received in this latter engagement. He has been placed among the number of the saints of the order of Malta. See Hoefer, Nouv. Biog. Generale, s.v.
