Melisende

 

 The unboxing continues at Xanadu. It's nothing like the Battle of the Pyramids pictured above, except for the chaotic nature of the job. I unloaded three boxes in the garage and another three in the basement. I'm finding books and filling the bookcases that surround me in my writing den. I do read and resort to them from time to time when I'm looking for something specific, or just to spark my imagination. It feels good to have the familiar covers gather round again.

Fun Fact:

In 1131, Baldwin II, King of Jerusalem, was on his deathbed. He summoned his 26 year old daughter Melisende. He had taken religious vows and become a monk, hoping to secure a seat in the eternal palace above.  Although Melisende's husband Fulk had taken her on the understanding that he would succeed Baldwin as king, Baldwin announced that Melisende and Fulk would rule together, along with the young Baldwin (III) as soon as he was old enough. Baldwin died and the couple were crowned in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. 

Fulk tried to exclude Melisende from the government and got rid of Baldwin's experienced administrators in favor in his own men, causing great disaffection. Additionally, Melisende's sister Alice, whose husband, ruler of Antioch, had also died, decided the time was right to again to do what Baldwin had prevented before--to rule Antioch in her own right. She declared herself Princess of Antioch and received support from Pons of Tripoli and Jocelin II, Count of Edessa. 

Fulk put down that rebellion only to find on his return to Jerusalem another rebellion in progress trying ot put another woman in charge: Melisende. The Count of Jaffa, Hugh le Puiset, and Romanus of Le Puy, lord of the lands east of Jerusalem spearheaded this movement. The tall and handsome Hugh was the second cousin of Melisende--and was said to be having an affair with her. Hugh was accused of plotting against Fulk's life. Instead of appearing for the duel he had demanded to preserve his honor, he made a treaty seeking Muslim aid against the King of Jerusalem. Fulk defeated the Muslim raiders and besieged Hugh, who was forced to surrender and exiled for 3 years. Before he left, another knight stabbed him nearly to death. Hugh recovered only to die a short time later. 

Hugh was dead, but Fulk's problems weren't over. In 1135 he relented and agreed to share the throne with Melisende. The pair worked together. In 1141 they had the Temple of the Lord (Dome of the Rock) for its reconsecration as a Christian church. They also established a nunnery at the Convent of St. Anne where Melisende's sister Yvette became the abbess. The most impressive construction they did was on the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. They also engaged in a castle building program. One of these castles was far outside Jerusalem and was conferred to the Hospital of St. John--thus beginning the military order of the Hospitaliers, the first of five castles they controlled. The Templars likewise were trusted with control of several other castles. The two orders became the primary castle guardians in the Crusader states.

Meanwhile, Alice in Antioch again tried to assume power but was outmaneuvered and Raymond of Poitier came to take over that city. The Muslim leader Zengi to the east was casting his eyes on Antioch, as was Byzantine Emperor John II to the west. Raymond got a reprieve in the west when John died of infection resulting from a boar hunting accident. Fulk met a similar fate in a less noble contest when he horse stumbled and rolled on him, as he was trying to lance a hare, crushing his skull. Melisende finally had all the authority. She was crowned queen again, on Christmas day 1143 with the young Baldwin III beside her. 

-The above is summarized from Chapter 13 of Dan Jones' Crusaders.