Robert IV of Sablé
Robert IV de Sablé (c.1150–23 September 1193) was a French noble from Anjou who ruled Sablé and became the 11th Grand Master of the Knights Templar, serving from 1191 to 1193. He also held the title Lord of Cyprus briefly (1191–1192).
Born into a military family, Robert was a leading Angevin vassal of the King of England. He took part in the Revolt of 1173–74 in support of Henry the Young King but later remained in good standing with the English kings who followed. In 1190 he joined Richard I’s Crusading fleet and helped lead campaigns during the Third Crusade, including the siege of Acre and the pivotal Battle of Arsuf in 1191.
In 1191, Richard arranged for Cyprus to be granted to the Knights Templar, and Robert briefly held the island as lord. He did not establish lasting Templar bases there, unlike the Hospitallers who built strong positions on Rhodes and Malta. He did, however, help establish a Templar presence at Saint-Jean d’Acre.
Robert was elected Grand Master of the Knights Templar after the death of Gerard de Ridefort, though his time in that role was short; he died in 1193 in the Holy Land, killed in action at Arsuf. He left behind his wife Clemence de Mayenne and their children: Geoffroy, Marguerite, and Philippa.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 07:53 (CET).