Adhemar of Le Puy

Adhemar of Le Puy was a French bishop associated with church reform and was chosen by Pope Urban II as papal legate for the First Crusade. He travelled with the army from 1096 and worked to mediate disputes among its princes, organise religious observance and maintain the expedition’s character as an armed pilgrimage rather than a collection of private conquests.

At Antioch Adhemar supported the army during siege and battle and became linked in later memory with the Holy Lance discovered in the city. He died during an epidemic on 1 August 1098. His absence removed one of the few figures able to restrain rivalry among the crusader leaders, contributing to the disputes that marked the march to Jerusalem and the division of conquered territory.