why did melisende retire from power

Now Fulks autocratic style of government came back to haunt him. Nonetheless, in the year after her marriage Melisande gave birth to a son, called Baldwin (III) after his grandfather. Lucky me I found your website by chance (stumbleupon). Name variations: Melesend; Mlisande; Melissande; Melisend; Mlisende or Melisende; Melisinda, Mlisinde, or Melisinde. Jerusalem would have to look to itself and its neighboring Christian territories for its defense. Jerusalem fell to the Muslims in 1187, and though some of the lands nearby were recovered in the Third Crusade (118992), it was not until the thirteenth century that western forces once again occupied the cityand that was for just fifteen years. Her memory was severely impaired, and she could no longer take part in state affairs. When Raymond arrived in Antioch in 1136, he asked Alice for her hand in marriage. Count Baldwin married a wealthy Armenian princess, Morphia of Melitene , with whom he had four children, all daughters: Melisande, the eldest, Alice of Jerusalem , Hodierna of Jerusalem , and Joveta of Jerusalem . Melisendes father, Baldwin, had traveled east with this campaign. Later, William of Tyre wrote of Melisende's right to rule following the death of her father that the rule of the kingdom remained in the power of the lady queen Melisende, a queen beloved by God, to whom it passed by hereditary right. https://www.encyclopedia.com/history/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/melisende-0, "Melisende ." (2010), "The Spending Power of a Crusader Queen: Melisende of Jerusalem". Rivalry was already growing between the powerful mother and her son. Her actions lost her the support of the Antiochenes, who wanted a strong, adult male warrior-prince to protect Antioch from its enemies. In this arena only, Baldwin III held better cards than his mother. Later, William of Tyre wrote of Melisende's right to rule following the death of her father that "the rule of the kingdom remained in the power of the lady queen Melisende, a queen beloved by God, to whom it passed by hereditary right". Through what amounted to a palace coup, the queen's supporters overcame Fulk, and from 1135 onwards Fulk's influence rapidly deteriorated. When Melisende bore a son and heir in 1130, the future BaldwinIII, her father took steps to ensure Melisende would rule after him as reigning Queen of Jerusalem. Most online reference entries and articles do not have page numbers. Melisende enjoyed having power too much to want to share it with her son. As Melisende's father lay dying in 1131, he named Melisende, Fulk, and the infant Baldwin all corulers of Jerusalem. After the marriage, Baldwin II began to include his daughter and son-in-law in various acts and charters. The plot failed. As the eldest child, Melisende was raised as heir presumptive. Well aware that her late husbands tyrannical tendencies had contributed to his downfall, Melisende put the matter to the royal council. After Baldwin II's death on 21 August 1131, Melisende began to rule jointly with her husband, who persisted in his efforts to wrest political power from her. Fulk openly and publicly dismissed her hereditary authority. Queen regnant of the Kingdom of Jerusalem, Oldenbourg wrote that Fulk had "broken the resistance of his principal vassals on his own domains and paralyzed all attempts at emancipation by the townspeople. Hallam, Elizabeth, ed. [1] As a mark of his love for his wife, Baldwin II had postponed his coronation until Christmas Day 1119 so that Morphia and their daughters could travel to Jerusalem and so that the queen could be crowned alongside him. Name variations: Alais or Alix. Like her sisters, Melisande received an education befitting her rank and her parents' wealth. She was not one to be easily discarded. The year 1187 marked the beginning of the end of the Kingdom of Jerusalem, when the Islamic leader Saladin (see entry) captured Jerusalem. Husband and wife reconciled by 1136 and had a second son, Amalric. Though later historians criticized Melisende for not abdicating in favor of her son, there was little impetus for her to do so. Baldwin III (1130 - 10 February 1163) was King of Jerusalem from 1143 to 1163. Hamilton, Bernard (1978), "Women in the Crusader States: the Queens of Jerusalem". This was reason enough for the queen's party to challenge Fulk openly, as Fulk's unfounded assertions of infidelity were a public affront that would severely damage Melisende's position. Thanks so much, Irene! Fortunately for Baldwin, the princess turned out to be an intelligent and charming woman. Melisende with her younger son Amalric and others sought refuge in the Tower of David. In 1139 Fulk actually sent a Crusader force to fight with Unur at Damascus against Zengi, their common enemy. Fulk also tried to dominate the realm and did not consult his advisors much, further annoying the council. One historian wrote that Fulk's supporters "went in terror of their lives" in the palace. When Joscelin himself died a few weeks later, the barons of Antioch refused to accept his son and successor as their new regent, leaving Antioch temporarily without a leader. Please let us know if theres a specific subject we could clarify for you! "Melisende Queen of Jerusalem." Raymond of Antioch ignored the call for help, as his WebThis time Melisende decided to retire from public life, although Baldwin still trusted her to act as regent when he was away fighting battles. In the middle of the Middle Ages, it was not easy for a woman to take the reins of a kingdom let alone one so threatened by its muslim neighbors as Jerusalem. By the time of his election as king, Baldwin II and Morphia already had three daughters:[1] Melisende, Alice, and Hodierna. In fact, the Christians proved that they were no better at uniting into a single state than the Muslims had been. She had founded and endowed a number of religious institutions and was the recipient of the Melisende Psalter. He could not maintain his position indefinitely, however. Originally the name of the Jebusite fortress in Jerusalem, later applied to other sections of the city or to the whole city of jerusalem, and in, Saladin ." Glad you liked it, Olive. When Bernard died in 1135, the populace of Antioch elected Radulph of Domfront to succeed him; Radulph, who did not support Fulk's authority, assumed the office without waiting for canonical election to confirm his position and immediately began negotiating with Alice, still in Lattakieh. In 1136, their second child, a son named Amalric (I), was born. Hamilton, Bernard. Fulk was successful in this. In 1144 he and his soldiers took Edessa, an action that brought a new wave of Christian Crusaders to the Holy Land in the Second Crusade, which was led by the French king Louis VII and the German king Conrad III. Two years later, the old king Baldwin II died. [10], Melisende's love for books and her religious piety were very well known. Welcome back anytime! Washington, DC: Brassey's, 1997. Anjou, France [1] Baldwin raised his daughter as a capable successor to himself and Melisende enjoyed the support of the Haute Cour, a kind of royal council composed of the nobility and clergy of the realm. Very good information. After Fulks death, Melisende became co-ruler with her eldest son, Baldwin III. Due to his young age, she was co-ruler and regent, so in effect she was the sole ruler. It wasnt until he was 23 that Baldwin showed any signs of wanting power, having enjoyed success as a military commander. 10851120); sister ofHodierna of Jerusalem (c. 1115after 1162), Melisande (11051161), andJoveta of Jerusalem ; married Bohemond or Bohemund II, prince of Antioch (r. 11261130), in 1126; children: Constance of Antioch (11281164), co-ruler of Antioch (r. 11301163). Melisende was extremely hostile after the accusations about her alleged infidelity with Hugh and refused to speak to or allow in court those who sided with her husband - deeming them "under the displeasure of the queen". Thanks for stopping by, Maddison. Baldwin, in protest, staged a procession in the city streets wearing laurel wreaths, a kind of self-crowning. In 1128, their first and only child, Constance of Antioch , was born. Once again, tensions broke out into warfare, this time the son attacking his mother. Baldwin III and Melisende were jointly crowned as co-rulers on Christmas Day, 1143. Things did not go well between the couple almost from the beginning. This alone was Baldwin II would have reason to fear making Fulk his heir, for Fulk could repudiate Melisande and make his grown sons with his first wife Ermentrude , countess of Maine, his heirsthus ending Baldwin II's dynasty. His equally powerful son, Nur al-Din, took over his fight to unite Islam. Eventually, peace was restored and Melisende retired, The Crusades. Her son Baldwin III followed her in death only a few months later, in February 1162, and her younger son Amalric I succeeded his brother, ruling until his own death in 1174. [1] Fulk's son from a previous marriage, Geoffrey, was married to Empress Matilda, HenryI of England's designated heir as England's next queen regnant. But instead of reaching further compromise, within weeks of the decision he launched an invasion of his mother's realms. The rebellion was short-lived, and Hugh was forced to submit to Fulk, who sentenced him to three years' exile. Melisende was accused of being the mistress, or lover, of the count of Jaffa, a rival to Fulk, whose name was derived from the port of Jerusalem. For nearly five years, all royal charters and public acts were made in Fulk's name only. One of the biggest ongoing mysteries of Melisandre has been her age. "Melisende Therefore, be sure to refer to those guidelines when editing your bibliography or works cited list. Out of curiosity, how did you find us? ), and Joveta of Jerusalem (1120? Windsor Forest, UK: Kensal Press, 1982. . The reign of Baldwin II was not an easy one. Baldwin thought that his daughter would need the right husband to help her rule. At that time, however, the Christian states of the East regarded the Byzantine Empire as an enemy almost as dangerous as the Muslims, and Fulk of Jerusalem was informed of her action. Baldwin deferred to King LouisVI of France to recommend a Frankish vassal for his daughter's hand. However, women, who were recognized as queen regnant, rarely exercised their authority directly. When Fulk V died in 1143, Melisende became the main ruler, since her son was still an adolescent, or under age. WebQueen Melisende responded by sending an army led by constable Manasses of Hierges, Philip of Milly, and Elinand of Bures. . Alice appealed to her sister Melisande, Fulk's wife and co-ruler, to help her regain her power.

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