He was instrumental in getting papal sanction for the Templar Order, making it independent from ecclesiastical and secular authorities.

[1] He was engaged to the daughter of the lord of Angoumois but gave up his wedding and travelled to Palestine after learning of the foundation of the Templar Order by Hughes de Payens.

[2] He proved to be a brilliant organizer and legislator,[3] and turned the Order into a major force in the Crusader states.

On March 29, 1139, Pope Innocent II issued the bull Omne Datum Optimum, which exempted the order from tithes and made them independent of any ecclesiastical jurisdiction.

[4][a] In 1143, Robert and Ramon Berenguer IV, Count of Barcelona negotiated the donation of six castles and dependent enclaves consisting of Monzon, Mongay, Chalamera, Barbara, Belchite, and Remolins.