Nevertheless, most sources list him as the fifth, rather than fourth, master and this biography continues that tradition,[2] with the exception being Delaville Le Roulx' work.
[4] Gilbert encouraged Amalric of Jerusalem in his unsuccessful invasion of Egypt, leaving the Order in debt and causing the reexamination of its military role.
[2] Little was known of Gilbert before his elevation to the magistracy of the Hospitallers' Order other than he was already old when it was conferred on him, and that the termination of his name suggests that he was of French origin and considered to be a knight.
[5] An undated act also states that Amalric of Nesle, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, solicited aid from Westerners in favor of the Holy Land and recommended that the prelates and princes welcome Gilbert as the new Grand Master.
They highlighted a transfer of regal rights to the Hospitallers and recognized military privileges above the common law, giving them a form of quasi-sovereignty.
Amalric learned of this and wanted to cut the road to Shirkuh, but arrived too late, and withdrew to Ascalon to complete his army, including the Hospitallers.
Gilbert, still convinced that the conquest of Egypt would be a good thing, provided in October 1168 one thousand knights and Turcopoles to the army.
Amalric offered Shawar a withdrawal in exchange for a large tribute of a million besants, but the approach of Shirkuh forces him to lower his demands by half.
Accused of having ruined the Order and neglected its charitable vocation, he resigned, then reconsidered his decision but refused the conditions imposed on him by the Convent.