he Castle of Baghras in the frontier
zone between Syria and Asia Minor was vital to the defence of the city of
Antioch. It came into Templar possession maybe in 1131 when Fulk of Jerusalem
travelled north to Antioch, or at the latest in 1137-37 when Raymond of Poitiers
ventured north to fight the Armenians of Cilicia. Along with Roche Roussel
and Darbsak it was the first important donation the Templars had in the Holy
Land.
he ownership of this castle was
particularly lively. It passed from the hands of Muslims to Christians and
back again at surprising speed: it is on record as being held by Templars
in 1156, in 1160-61 it constituted a fief of the Prince of Antioch along
with its surrounding territory, and in 1175 it was again the northern
headquarters of the Templars. Saladin took it
in 1188, but the Order regained it for the period 1216-1268.
he last bit of the history of Baghras
is interesting. In 1283 the Templars burned the stronghold and abandoned
it after Baybars took Beaufort. This can be seen
as indicative of the waning strength of the Order in Palestine. In its days
of glory such action would never have occurred to the Order, which rather
fought to death over its possessions than gave anything away.
