Ralf II (Antioch)

Ralf II ( Latin Radulfus , French Raoul ; † 1196 ) was the Latin Patriarch of Antioch from around 1193 until his death .

After the death of Patriarch Aimerich von Limoges in 1193, Ralf II was elected as his successor.

At the time of his election, the Principality of Antioch was going through critical times. Prince Bohemond III. and his eldest son Raimund were taken prisoner by the Armenians and had to agree to the cession of the city of Antioch to the Armenian prince Leo II in the Treaty of Baghras . The principality, however, was without an effective government. To avert an occupation of the city by the Armenians, the citizens of Antioch, led by Patriarch Ralf II, rose and took power in the city. Latin and Greek residents joined by public oath to the Commune of Antioch and stood side by side in defense of the city against the Armenians. The commune was headed by an elected mayor and consuls, it was allowed to tax all citizens of the city and received a bell tower with which it called the citizens to arms in case of defense. Finally, the noble knights and barons also supported the movement. After they had successfully repulsed the Armenians and their prince returned from captivity in 1194, the commune continued to exist.

Shortly after Bohemond's return, Ralf II died in 1196.

Individual evidence

↑ Norman P. Zacour, Harry W. Hazard, Kenneth Meyer Setton (Eds.): A History of the Crusades. The impact of the crusades on the near east. University of Pennsylvania Press, Philadelphia 1985, pp. 228 f.
^ John L. LaMonte: The Communal Movement in Syria in the Thirteenth Century. In: Charles H. Taylor: Anniversary Essays in Medieval History by Students of Charles Homer Hawkins. Boston / New York 1929, pp. 17–31.

predecessor	Office	successor
Aimerich from Limoges	Latin Patriarch of Antioch 1193–1196	Peter of Angoulême

personal data
SURNAME	Ralf II.
ALTERNATIVE NAMES	Radulfus; Raoul II .; Ralf II of Antioch
BRIEF DESCRIPTION	Latin Patriarch of Antioch
DATE OF BIRTH	11th century or 12th century
DATE OF DEATH	1196

[1] Norman P. Zacour, Harry W. Hazard, Kenneth Meyer Setton (Eds.): A History of the Crusades. The impact of the crusades on the near east. University of Pennsylvania Press, Philadelphia 1985, pp. 228 f.

[2] John L. LaMonte: The Communal Movement in Syria in the Thirteenth Century. In: Charles H. Taylor: Anniversary Essays in Medieval History by Students of Charles Homer Hawkins. Boston / New York 1929, pp. 17–31.