Melisende (Jerusalem)

Coronation of Melisende (representation from the 13th century)

Melisende (also Melisande ; * 1105 ; † September 1, 1161 ) was Queen of Jerusalem from 1131 to 1153. Between 1153 and 1161 she was also the regent of her underage sons. She was the eldest daughter of Baldwin II Jerusalem and the Armenian princess Morphia von Melitene .

initial situation

Jerusalem was conquered in 1099 during the first crusade . Her father's family originally came from Rethel , France. Her father was a crusader and the king of the crusader state of Edessa . There he married Morphia, the daughter of the Armenian Prince Gabriel von Melitene, for diplomatic reasons . Such an alliance could stabilize and legitimize the region. Melisende grew up in Edessa on until 13, was elected as her father as King of Jerusalem, succeeding his cousin Baldwin I . As Baldwin II . was elected king he already had three daughters. She was appointed heir to the throne by her father in 1128 . In 1129 she married - at his arrangement - Fulko V. von Anjou . Before the death of her father in 1131 Melisende was crowned co-regent. With his death she became regent together with Fulko. Melisende and Fulko had two sons, the later kings Balduin III. and Amalrich I. Otherwise, Melisende was ignored by her husband. Melisende as the eldest daughter, then Alice and Hodierna . As the new king, Baldwin was advised that he should find a new wife who would bear him a male offspring. The Armenian historian Mathias von Edessa writes that Baldwin refused because he was devoted to his wife. As a token of his love, Baldwin II postponed his coronation to December 25, 1119 so that Morphia and his daughters could attend the coronation in Jerusalem. Morphia herself did not interfere in the daily politics of Jerusalem, but was able to emerge as a strategist in certain situations. For example, when her husband was captured in 1123 and Morphia hired a group of Armenian mercenaries to find out where her husband was being held. And in the following year 1124, she took a leading role in the negotiations for his release. Among other things, this meant that she traveled to Syria and offered her youngest daughter as a prisoner in exchange for Baldwin II.

As the eldest daughter, Melisende grew up as an authoritative heir. The life expectancy of Franconian women in the crusader states was higher than that of men. Among other things, this was due to the fact that this region was actually constantly involved in war. When women inherited land or found it again in a position of power, it was mostly because the men had died fighting. As a result, there were some women in power in that era, for example Urraca of Castile (1080–1129) and Eleanor of Aquitaine (1122–1204). During her father's reign she was the king's daughter and heir to the Kingdom of Jerusalem. Thus she had priority over other high-ranking nobles and church bearers in ceremonies. She became more and more involved in her father's politics. On documents, in the minting of money, in lending and in diplomatic matters. So she was raised to be a capable ruler, who was also supported by the Haute Cour, a kind of royal body consisting of nobles and church bearers.

Nonetheless, Baldwin II thought that he must marry Melisende to a powerful ally who would protect Melisende and her inheritance. In addition, future heirs had to be born. Therefore Baldwin wrote to King Ludwig VI. of France so that he could propose a Frankish vassal for his daughter. The French were important allies for the crusader states, as they brought more knights into the country.

Louis VI. was looking for Fulko V., Count of Anjou and Main , a rich crusader who was increasingly a danger to Ludwig VI. has been. Fulko Geoffrey's son from his first marriage was married to Queen Matilda . Matilda was chosen by Henry I of England to be the next regent. This made Fulko the potential grandfather of an heir to the British throne and thus an extremely good match. During the negotiations, Fulko insisted on becoming the sole successor and king of Jerusalem. Baldwin had some reservations. He worries that Fulko V would be cast out after Melisende died and that his own son from his first marriage would become the heir of Jerusalem.

When Melisende gave birth to a boy in 1130, Baldwin went to great lengths to ensure that his daughter would become Queen of Jerusalem after him. He held a coronation ceremony where he shared the kingship of Jerusalem between his daughter, his grandson and Fulk V. He also decided that Melisende should become her son's only guardian. When Baldwin II died in 1131, Melisende and Fulko ascended the throne together. But Fulko succeeded, with the help of allies he managed to keep Melisende away from government business. Fulko V. declared Melisende's inheritance rights publicly null and void. Balduin's efforts to prevent this had evidently achieved nothing. This also irritated the Haute Cour , whose power was also massively curtailed by Fulko's autocratic way of governing.

Rivalries in the palace

In 1132 Melisende was charged with an affair with Fulkos' greatest rival, the rebel Hugo von Le Puiset , Count of Jaffa . The Kingdom of Jerusalem then divided into the supporters Melisendes and the Fulkos. Hugh was one of the most powerful counts in the country and a loyal supporter of Baldwin II. Melisende now enjoyed this loyalty. Contemporary sources, such as William of Tire , disregard the alleged affair and instead state that Fulko prefers Frankish crusaders from Anjou to local nobles. If Melisende had really had an affair, the church and the nobles would probably not have stood behind her.

Hugh sought his allies in the Muslim city of Ashkelon . This enabled him to fight the troops first. However, this alliance cost him his support at the Haut Cour and so he could not hold his position. He was exiled for three years. Soon after, Hugh was attacked by Fulk or one of his allies. This gave Melisende enough reason to attack Fulko publicly. In a kind of internal coup, the supporters of Melisdendes Fulko managed to overwhelm. From 1135 onwards, Fulkos' power and influence decreased rapidly. William von Tire report that afterwards Fulkos attempts “never to begin anything, even in simple things, without their prior knowledge”. In 1136, however, the two got along again and a second son, Amalric , was born. A few years later in 1143 Fulko V. died in a hunting accident. From this point on, Melisende was again fully represented in government affairs and awarded titles of nobility, fiefs, gave offices, etc. After the death of her husband, she was not only regent of her son, who was named Baldwin III. should be crowned, but also ruled on the basis of her rights as the heiress of the throne and was perceived as such by contemporaries.

Art patron and supporter of the church

The Church has been a supporter of Melisende throughout her life. In 1138 she founded the Abbey of St. Lazarus in Bethanien where her younger sister Lovetta was to become abbess. As a token of her generosity, she gave the monastery fertile land in Jericho . Melisende also provided the monastery with a wealth of furnishings.

Melisende also founded a school for bookmakers and a school for miniature painting, a style that was mainly used in medieval book illumination. After all, she was also the commissioner of the "Street of Bad Cooking" (Malquisinate) in Jerusalem, which was the most famous and central point of contact for the supply of pilgrims.

Her preferences were well known and so she was also seen as a patron and patroness of books. Fulko knew exactly how to exploit this weakness. After Fulko assumed an affair with Melisende and Hugo was attacked, the queen was very hostile to all who supported her husband. For example, they were no longer allowed to go to the Haut Court and Melisende refused to speak to them. In order to reconcile himself with his wife, Fulko commissioned the Melisende Psalter . This is now in the British Museum. It is only 21.6 inches long and 14 inches wide. The book cover is completely gilded and decorated with ivory ornaments. The fact that Melisende was given a Latin psalter also indicates that she was able to read Latin.

In the book itself there are Saints Days and prayers that specifically indicate that Melisende was the one who was to receive the book. References are made to the Blessed Virgin and Mary Magdalene. In addition, the only two monarchs mentioned are Melisende's parents. Research also agrees that such a work could only have been afforded by the richest in the country. A final note about the client is on the spine of the book, because there is a picture of a bird that is described with the word "Herodius", also known as "fulcia" or falcon. A play on words with Fulko's name. There is no record of how Melisende received this gift. However, it is very likely that the couple got along again afterwards, because on the one hand documents were signed by Fulko, but with "the consent and benevolence of Queen Melisende". On the other hand, their second son Amalric was born.

Melisende during the Second Crusade

In 1144 Edessa was drawn into a border dispute that threatened to destroy the country. Queen Melisende sent an army led by Manasses von Hierges, Philip von Milly and Elinand von Bures. Raimond of Antioch ignored the call for help because he himself was involved in a war against the Byzantine Empire in Sicily. Despite Melisende's army, Edessa lost.

Melisende sent a message to the Pope, who in turn proclaimed the second crusade. The crusade was initiated by Louis VII of France and Emperor Conrad III. cited. Eleanor of Aquitaine, wife of Louis VI. accompanied the second crusade with their own vassals. Eleanor, like Melisende, had been named legal successor by her father.

During the strategic planning in Acre in 1148, Conrad and Louis advised 18-year-old Baldwin III. To attack Damascus. Melisende, Manasses and Eleanor, on the other hand, advised him to target Aleppo as it would also help to recapture Edessa. It was decided to attack Damascus. The Muslim city had good diplomatic relations with Jerusalem and there was also a peace treaty. After his break, their relationship never regenerated. After 11 months, Eleanor and Ludwig left for France and the second crusade was over.

Mother-son relationship

Melisende's relationship with her son was complex. In 1143 on Boxing Day the two were crowned together. As a mother, she probably knew his weaknesses and strengths. As regent and queen, however, she apparently had scruples about letting her young son come to power. Until 1152 there did not seem to have been any political or social pressure to let him come to power.

Then at the age of 22, Baldwin wanted to take over more power. Since Melisende had concerns, the tensions between mother and son increased considerably between 1150 and 1152. The rejection of Baldwin's second coronation by his mother triggered the break in 1152. In response, Baldwin staged a procession in which he carried a kind of laurel wreath, which served as a kind of symbol of self-coronation.

Before the Haute Cour of the kingdom, Baldwin complained that his mother would not let him rule and called for the kingdom to be divided. The following agreement provided that Melisende should rule Judea and Samaria , Baldwin the north, but proved to be unsustainable. This agreement would avoid civil war, but would also share the kingdom's resources. Melisende was the recognized regent of the kingdom. Her reign was perceived as wise, both by the Church and by contemporaries. The church supported Melisende, as well as the Counts of Judea and Samaria.

Balduin III. was just as unhappy with the decision to split the country as Melisende. But instead of working on further compromises, he decided to invade his mother's part. Nablus and Jerusalem fell quickly. Melisende and her younger son Amalric had to flee from the Tower of David. Mediations by the church led to the compromise that Melisende was granted the city of Nablus, as well as the neighboring lands and Baldwin had to swear not to disturb the peace there. This peace compromise shows that although Melisende had lost the "civil war", she still had great influence.

retirement

In the end, mother and son were able to reconcile. Since the civil war, Baldwin showed his mother a lot more respect. Melisende had contacts, especially with her sister Hodierna and her niece Constanze of Antioch, who had direct influence in northern Syria, which were extremely important to him, especially since the break with Damascus in 1147.

Since Baldwin III. was often on campaigns, he quickly realized that he had few reliable advisors. And so from 1154 Melisende became one of his most important advisors. In 1156 she made peace with the merchants of Pisa.

death

In 1161 Melisende presumably had a stroke. She suffered from amnesia and could no longer participate in government business. Her sister, the Countess of Tripoli and Abbess of Bethany, came to look after her. After she died on September 11, 1161, she was buried, like her mother Morphia, in the monastery of St. Maria im Tale Josaphat .

Until her death in the convent of Bethany 1161 Melisende retained the religious patronage on the Church in the Kingdom of Jerusalem. Like her mother Morphia, she was buried in the monastery of St. Maria im Tale Josaphat .

Web links

Commons : Melisende von Jerusalem  - Collection of images, videos and audio files

• Melisende of Jerusalem at fmg.ac (English)

Individual evidence

1. ^ ^{A b c d e} Hamilton, Bernard: Queen of Jerusalem . Ed .: Ecclesiastical History Society. 1978, p. 143-149 .
2. ^ ^{A b} Oldenbourg, Zoe: The Crusaders . 1966, p. 264 .
3. ^ ^{A b} Philips, Jonathan: Holy Warriors: A Modern History of the Crusaders . 2010, p. 72 .
4. ^ Newman, Sharan: Defending the City of God: a Medieval Queen, the First Crusades and the Quest for Peace in Jerusalem . 2014, p. 152 .
5. ↑ Trenovich, Melisende: Melisende of Jerusalem: The World of a Forgotten Crusader Queen . 2011, p. 23 .
6. ^ Hodgson, Natasha R .: Women, Crusading and the Holy Land in Historical Narrative . Woodbridge 2007, p. 65 .
7. ^ Meyer, Hans Eberhard: Studies in the History of Queen Melisende of Jerusalem . S. 95 f .
8. ^ ^{A b} Hans Eberhard Mayer : Jerusalem. At the same time, a contribution to research on rulers and state symbols. Dumbarton Oaks Papers 21, 1967, pp. 141-232

predecessor	Office	successor
Baldwin II	Queen of Jerusalem with Fulk (until 1143), then with Baldwin III. 1131-1153	Balduin III.