Stamboom Homs » Melisende "Melisende de Rethel" de Rethel (1105-1161)

Persoonlijke gegevens Melisende "Melisende de Rethel" de Rethel 

• Alternatieve naam: Queen of Jerusalem Melesende
• Roepnaam is Melisende de Rethel.
• Zij is geboren op 2 JUN 1105 TO ABT 1105 in Bourg, Rethel (France)-dtr of Baldwin II.
• Gedoopt (op 8-jarige leeftijd of later) door het priesterschapsgezag van de LDS-kerk in SUBMITTED.
• Beroepen:
• .

  {geni:job_title} Reine, de Jérusalem

• .
• in Queen of Jerusalem.
• Gepensioneerd, Convent, Bethany.
• Woonachtig rond 1148: Jerusalem, Palestine.
• Zij is overleden op 11 september 1161 in Jerusalem, Israel.
• Zij is begraven op 11 september 1161 in Shrine of Our Lady of Josaphat.
• Een kind van Baudouin de Bourcq en Morphia de Mélitene
• Deze gegevens zijn voor het laatst bijgewerkt op 24 juli 2011.

Gezin van Melisende "Melisende de Rethel" de Rethel

Zij is getrouwd met Foulques V 'le Jeune' d'Anjou.

Zij zijn getrouwd op 2 juni 1129 te Jerusalem, IsraelJerusalem.

Kind(eren):

1. Amaury d'Anjou  ± 1136-1174 

Notities over Melisende "Melisende de Rethel" de Rethel

Name Prefix: Queen Name Suffix: Of Jerusalem

Name Prefix: Queen Name Suffix: of Jerusalem

Name Prefix: Queen Name Suffix: of Jerusalem

Melisende of Jerusalem
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Jump to: navigation, search
Melisende (1105 – September 11, 1161) was Queen of Jerusalem from 1131 to 1153.

Melisende was the eldest daughter of King Baldwin II of Jerusalem and the Armenian princess Morphia of Melitene. She was named after her paternal grandmother, Melisende of Montlhery, wife of Hugh I, Count of Rethel. She had three younger sisters: Alice, princess of Antioch; Hodierna, countess of Tripoli; and Ioveta, abbess of St. Lazarus in Bethany.

Contents [hide]
1 Inheritance
2 Palace intrigue
3 Patroness of the church and arts
4 Second Crusade
5 Mother and son
6 Retirement
7 Death
8 Sources
9 Historical Fiction

[edit]
Inheritance
Jerusalem had recently been conquered by Christian Franks in 1099 during the First Crusade, and was ruled by a dynasty from the County of Boulogne in France. Melisende was the heir of this dynasty, and was designated her father's successor before 1129. Women who inherited territory usually did so because war and violence brought many men to premature death, and women who were recognized as queen regnant rarely exercised their authority. Contemporaries of Melisende who did rule, however, included Urraca of Castile (1080-1129), Empress Matilda (1102-1169), and Eleanor of Aquitaine (1121-1204). Melisende's authority was not passed over for her son but was independent of it, as William of Tyre wrote reseditque reginam regni potestas penes dominam Melisendem, Deo amabilem reginam, cui jure hereditario competebat ("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"). Melisende was no mere regent-queen (for her son Baldwin III), but a Queen Regnant, reigning by right of hereditary and civil law.

During her father's reign Melisende was styled filia regis et regni Jerosolimitani haeres ("daughter of the king and heir of the kingdom of Jerusalem") and took precedence above other nobles and Christian clergy in ceremonial occasions. Increasingly she was associated with her father on official documents, including in the minting of money, granting of fiefdoms and other forms of patronage, and in diplomatic correspondence. Baldwin raised his daughter as a capable successor to himself and Melisende enjoyed the support of the Haute Cour, a kind of royal council comprising the nobility and clergy of the realm.

However, Baldwin also thought that he would have to marry Melisende to a powerful ally, one who would protect and safeguard Melisende's inheritance as Queen and her future heirs. His intention was for a consort for his daughter, not a reigning king-consort. Baldwin chose Fulk V of Anjou, a renowned crusader and military commander, and in the future the paternal grandfather of Henry Plantagent (Fulk's son of previous marriage, Geoffrey was in these same years married to Empress Matilda, Henry I of England's designated heir as England's next Queen regnant). Throughout the negotiations Fulk insisted on being joint ruler with Melisende. Baldwin acquiesced to these demands as Fulk was relatively rich (even for a crusader) and would bring troops and much military experience with him in defense of Jerusalem. Melisende bore a son and heir in 1130, the future Baldwin III. As an indication of Baldwin II's intentions to make Melisende sole queen and to strengthen her position, he designated Melisende as guardian for the young Baldwin, excluding Fulk altogether.

After Baldwin II's death in 1131, Melisende and Fulk ascended to the throne as joint rulers. However, with the aid of his crusader knights Fulk excluded Melisende from granting titles and other forms of patronage, and publicly dismissed her authority. This treatment of their Queen irritated the members of the Haute Cour, whose own positions would be eroded if Fulk continued to dominate the realm.

[edit]
Palace intrigue
The estrangement between husband and wife was a convenient political tool that Fulk used in 1134 when he accused Hugh II of Le Puiset, Count of Jaffa, of having an affair with Melisende. Hugh was the most powerful baron in the kingdom, and devotedly loyal to the memory of Baldwin II. This loyalty now extended to Melisende, though Hugh, by strict male succession, held a better claim to the throne. Hugh was a cousin of Melisende, and also a member of the royal family. Contemporary sources, such as William of Tyre, discount the infidelity of Melisende and instead point out that Fulk overly favoured newly arrived Frankish crusaders from Anjou over the native nobility of the kingdom. Had Melisende been guilty the church and nobility likely would not have later rallied to her cause.

Hugh allied himself with the Muslim city of Ascalon, and was able to hold off the army set against him. He could not maintain his position indefinitely, however. His alliance with Ascalon cost him support at court. The Patriarch negotiated lenient terms for peace, and Hugh was exiled for three years. Soon thereafter an unsuccessful assassination attempt against Hugh was attributed to Fulk or his supporters. This was reason enough for the queen's party to openly challenge Fulk, as Fulk's unfounded assertions of infidelity was a public affront that would damage Melisende's position entirely.

Through what amounted to a palace coup, the queen's supporters overcame Fulk, and from 1135 onwards Fulk's influence rapidly deteriorated. One historian wrote that Fulk's supporters "went in terror of their lives" in the palace. William of Tyre wrote that Fulk "did not attempt to take the initiative, even in trivial matters, without (Melisende's) knowledge". Husband and wife reconciled by 1136 and a second son, Amalric, was born. When Fulk was killed in a hunting accident in 1143, Melisende publicly and privately mourned for him.

Melisende's victory was complete. Again she is seen in the historical record granting titles of nobility, fiefdoms, appointments and offices, granting royal favours and pardons and holding court. Of Melisende, William of Tyre wrote "reseditque reginam regni potestas penes dominam Melisendem, Deo amabilem reginam, cui jure hereditario competebat." Melisende was no mere regent-queen for her son Baldwin III, but a Queen Regnant, reigning by right of hereditary and civil law.

[edit]
Patroness of the church and arts

An illustration from the Melisende Psalter, commissioned during the Queen's reignMelisende enjoyed the support of the church throughout her lifetime; from her appointment as Baldwin II's successor, throughout the conflict with Fulk, and later when Baldwin III would come of age. In 1138 she founded the large convent of St. Lazarus in Bethany where her younger sister Ioveta would rule as abbess. In keeping with a royal abbey, Melisende granted the convent the fertile plains of Jericho. Additionally, the queen supplied rich furnishings and liturgical vessels, so that it would not be in any way inferior to religious houses for men. According to author and historian Bernard Hamilton, Melisende also gave large "endowments to the Holy Sepulchre, our Lady of Josaphat, the Templum Domini, the order of the Hospital, the leper hospital of Saint Lazarus, and the Praemonstratensians of Saint Samuel's."

Sometime between 1131 and 1143, the queen commissioned the Melisende Psalter. Though influenced by Byzantine and Italian traditions in the illuminations, the artists who contributed to it had a unique and decidedly Jerusalem style. The historian Buchtal wrote that "Jerusalem during the second quarter of the twelfth century possessed a flourishing and well-established scriptorium which could, without difficulty, undertake a commission for a royal manuscript de grand luxe". Bernard Hamilton argues that Melisende must be given credit for sponsoring the artists in her realm.

[edit]
Second Crusade
In 1144 the Crusader State County of Edessa was besieged in a border war that threatened its survival. Queen Melisende responded by sending an army led by constable Manasses of Hierges, Philip of Milly, and Elinand of Bures. Raymond of Antioch ignored the call for help, as his army was already occupied against the Byzantine Empire in Cilicia. Despite Melisende's army, Edessa fell.

Melisende sent word to the Pope in Rome, and the west called for a Second Crusade. The crusader expedition was led by French King Louis and the German Emperor Conrad II. Accompanying Louis was his wife Eleanor of Aquitaine, with her own vassal lords in tow. Eleanor had herself been designated by her father, William IX, to succeed him in her own right, just as Melisende had been designated to succeed her father.

During the Crusader meeting in Acre in 1148 the battle strategy was planned. Conrad and Louis advised 16-year old Baldwin III to attack the Muslim city-state of Damascus, though Melisende, Manasses, and Eleanor wanted to take Aleppo, which would aid them in retaking Edessa. The meeting ended with Damascus as their target. Damascus and Jerusalem were on very good diplomatic terms and there was a peace treaty between them. The result of this breach of treaty was that Damascus would never trust the Crusader states again, and the loss of a sympathetic Muslim state was a blow from which later monarchs of Jerusalem could not recover. After 11 months Eleanor and Louis departed for France, ending the Second Crusade.

[edit]
Mother and son
Melisende's relationship with her son was complex. As a mother she would know her son and his capabilities, and she is known to have been particularly close to her children. As a ruler she may have been reluctant to entrust decision making powers to an untried youth. Either way there was no political or social pressure to grant Baldwin any authority before 1152, even though Baldwin reached majority in 1145. Baldwin III and Melisende were jointly crowned as co-rulers on Christmas Day, 1143. This joint crowning was similar to Melisende's own crowning with her father in 1128, and may have reflected a growing trend to crown one's heir in the present monarch's lifetime, as demonstrated in other realms of this period.

Baldwin grew up to be a capable, if not brilliant, military commander. By age 24 however, Baldwin felt he could take some responsibility in governance. Melisende had hitherto only partially associated Baldwin in her rule. Tension between mother and son mounted between 1150 and 1152, with Baldwin blaming Manasses for alienating his mother from him. The crisis reached a boiling point early 1152 when Baldwin demanded the patriarch Fulcher to crown him in the Holy Sepulchre, without Melisende present. The Patriarch refused. Baldwin, in protest, staged a procession in the city streets wearing laurel wreaths, a kind of self-crowning.

Baldwin and Melisende agreed to put the decision to the Haute Cour. The Haute Cour decided that Baldwin would rule the north of the kingdom and Melisende the richer Judea and Samaria, and Jerusalem itself. Melisende acquiesced, though with misgivings. This decision would prevent a civil war but also divide the kingdom's resources. Though later historians criticized Melisende for not abdicating in favor of her son, there was little impetus for her to do so. She was universally recognized as an exceptional steward for her kingdom, and her rule had been characterized as a wise one by church leaders and other contemporaries. Baldwin had not shown any interest in governance prior to 1152, and had resisted responsibility in this arena. The Church clearly supported Melisende, as did the barons of Judea and Samaria.

Despite putting the matter before the Haute Cour, Baldwin was not happy with the partition any more than Melisende. But instead of reaching further compromise, within weeks of the decision he launched an invasion of his mother's realms. Baldwin showed that he was Fulk's son by quickly taking the field; Nablus and Jerusalem fell swiftly. Melisende with her younger son Amalric and others sought refuge in the Tower of David. Church mediation between mother and son resulted with the grant of the city of Nablus and adjacent lands to Melisende to rule for life, and a solemn oath by Baldwin III not to disturb her peace. This peace settlement demonstrated that though Melisende lost the "civil war" to her son, she still maintained great influence and avoided total obscurity in a convent.

[edit]
Retirement
By 1153 son and mother had been reconciled. Since the civil war, Baldwin had shown his mother great respect. Melisende's connections, especially to her sister Hodierna, and to her niece Constance of Antioch, meant that she had direct influence in northern Syria, a priceless connection since Baldwin had himself broken the treaty with Damascus in 1147.

As Baldwin III was often on military campaigns he realized he had few reliable advisers. From 1154 onwards she is again associated with her son in many of his official public acts. In 1156 she concluded a treaty with the merchants of Pisa. In 1157, with Baldwin on campaign in Antioch, Melisande saw an opportunity to take el-Hablis, which controlled the lands of Gilead beyond the Jordan. Also in 1157, on the death of patriarch Fulcher, Melisende, her half-sister Sibylla of Flanders, and Ioveta the Abbess of Bethany, had Amalric of Nesle appointed as patriarch of Jerusalem. Additionally, Melisende was witness to her son Amalric's marrage to Agnes of Courtenay in 1157. In 1160 she gave her assent to a grant made by her son Amalric to the Holy Sepulchre, perhaps on the occasion of the birth of her granddaughter Sibylla to Agnes and Amalric.

[edit]
Death
In 1161 Melisende had what appears to be a stroke. Her memory was severely impaired and she could no longer take part in state affairs. Her sisters, the countess of Tripoli and abbess of Bethany, came to nurse her before she died on September 11, 1161. Melisende was buried next to her mother Morphia in the shrine of Our Lady of Josaphat. Melisende, like her mother, bequeathed property to the Orthodox monastery of Saint S'eba.

William of Tyre, writing on Melisende's 30-year reign, wrote that "she was a very wise woman, fully experienced in almost all affairs of state business, who completely triumphed over the handicap of her sex so she could take charge of important affairs...", and "striving to emulate the glory of the best princes, (Melisende) ruled the kingdom with such ability that she was rightly considered to have equalled her predecessors in that regard." William of Tyre's comments may seem rather patronizing to a modern audience, wrote professor Bernard Hamilton of the University of Nottingham, however this was a great show of respect from a society and culture in which women were regarded with less rights and authority then their brothers, fathers, and even sons.

[edit]
Sources
Hans E. Meyer, "Studies in the History of Queen Melisende of Jerusalem", Dumbarton
Oaks Papers 26 (1972)

Bernard Hamilton, "Women in the Crusader States: The Queens of Jerusalem", in Medieval Women, edited by Derek Baker. Ecclesiastical History Society, 1978
Uppity Women of the Medieval Times", by Vicki Leon. Conari Press, 1997
Damsels Not in Distress: the True Story of Women in Medieval Times", by Andrea Hopkins, Ph.D. the Rosen Publishing Group, Inc. 2004
[edit]
Historical Fiction
Judith Tarr, "Queen of Swords", A Forge Book, Published by Tom Doherty LLC., 1997

Preceded by:
Baldwin II Queen of Jerusalem
1131–1153
(with Fulk, 1131-1143;
with Baldwin III, 1143-1153) Succeeded by:
Baldwin III

Melisende of Jerusalem
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Melisende (1105 – September 11, 1161) was Queen of Jerusalem from 1131 to 1153. She was the eldest daughter of King Baldwin II of Jerusalem and the Armenian princess Morphia of Melitene. She was named after her paternal grandmother, Melisende of Montlhery, wife of Hugh I, Count of Rethel. She had three younger sisters: Alice, princess of Antioch; Hodierna, countess of Tripoli; and Ioveta, abbess of St. Lazarus in Bethany. Hodierna's daughter, Melisende of Tripoli, was named in honor of the queen.

Contents [hide]
1 Inheritance
2 Palace intrigue
3 Patroness of the church and arts
4 Second Crusade
5 Mother and son
6 Retirement
7 Death
8 Sources
9 Historical fiction

[edit] Inheritance
Jerusalem had recently been conquered by Christian Franks in 1099 during the First Crusade, and was ruled by a dynasty originally from the County of Rethel in France. Melisende was the heir of this dynasty, and was designated her father's successor before 1129. Women who inherited territory usually did so because war and violence brought many men to premature death, and women who were recognized as queen regnant rarely exercised their authority. Contemporaries of Melisende who did rule, however, included Urraca of Castile (1080 – 1129), Empress Matilda (1102 – 1169), and Eleanor of Aquitaine (1121 – 1204). Melisende's authority was not passed over for her son but was independent of it, as William of Tyre wrote reseditque reginam regni potestas penes dominam Melisendem, Deo amabilem reginam, cui jure hereditario competebat ("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"). Melisende was no mere regent-queen (for her son Baldwin III), but a Queen Regnant, reigning by right of hereditary and civil law.

During her father's reign Melisende was styled filia regis et regni Jerosolimitani haeres ("daughter of the king and heir of the kingdom of Jerusalem") and took precedence above other nobles and Christian clergy in ceremonial occasions. Increasingly she was associated with her father on official documents, including in the minting of money, granting of fiefdoms and other forms of patronage, and in diplomatic correspondence. Baldwin raised his daughter as a capable successor to himself and Melisende enjoyed the support of the Haute Cour, a kind of royal council comprising the nobility and clergy of the realm.

However, Baldwin also thought that he would have to marry Melisende to a powerful ally, one who would protect and safeguard Melisende's inheritance as Queen and her future heirs. His intention was for a consort for his daughter, not a reigning king-consort. Baldwin chose Fulk V of Anjou, a renowned crusader and military commander, and in the future the paternal grandfather of Henry Plantagenet (Fulk's son of previous marriage, Geoffrey was in these same years married to Empress Matilda, Henry I of England's designated heir as England's next Queen regnant). Throughout the negotiations Fulk insisted on being joint ruler with Melisende. Baldwin acquiesced to these demands as Fulk was relatively rich (even for a crusader) and would bring troops and much military experience with him in defense of Jerusalem. Melisende bore a son and heir in 1130, the future Baldwin III. As an indication of Baldwin II's intentions to make Melisende sole queen and to strengthen her position, he designated Melisende as guardian for the young Baldwin, excluding Fulk altogether.

After Baldwin II's death in 1131, Melisende and Fulk ascended to the throne as joint rulers. However, with the aid of his crusader knights Fulk excluded Melisende from granting titles and other forms of patronage, and publicly dismissed her authority. This treatment of their Queen irritated the members of the Haute Cour, whose own positions would be eroded if Fulk continued to dominate the realm.

[edit] Palace intrigue
The estrangement between husband and wife was a convenient political tool that Fulk used in 1134 when he accused Hugh II of Le Puiset, Count of Jaffa, of having an affair with Melisende. Hugh was the most powerful baron in the kingdom, and devotedly loyal to the memory of Baldwin II. This loyalty now extended to Melisende, though Hugh, by strict male succession, held a better claim to the throne. Hugh was a cousin of Melisende, and also a member of the royal family. Contemporary sources, such as William of Tyre, discount the infidelity of Melisende and instead point out that Fulk overly favoured newly arrived Frankish crusaders from Anjou over the native nobility of the kingdom. Had Melisende been guilty the church and nobility likely would not have later rallied to her cause.

Hugh allied himself with the Muslim city of Ascalon, and was able to hold off the army set against him. He could not maintain his position indefinitely, however. His alliance with Ascalon cost him support at court. The Patriarch negotiated lenient terms for peace, and Hugh was exiled for three years. Soon thereafter an unsuccessful assassination attempt against Hugh was attributed to Fulk or his supporters. This was reason enough for the queen's party to openly challenge Fulk, as Fulk's unfounded assertions of infidelity was a public affront that would damage Melisende's position entirely.

Through what amounted to a palace coup, the queen's supporters overcame Fulk, and from 1135 onwards Fulk's influence rapidly deteriorated. One historian wrote that Fulk's supporters "went in terror of their lives" in the palace. William of Tyre wrote that Fulk "did not attempt to take the initiative, even in trivial matters, without [Melisende's] knowledge". Husband and wife reconciled by 1136 and a second son, Amalric, was born. When Fulk was killed in a hunting accident in 1143, Melisende publicly and privately mourned for him.

Melisende's victory was complete. Again she is seen in the historical record granting titles of nobility, fiefdoms, appointments and offices, granting royal favours and pardons and holding court. Of Melisende, William of Tyre wrote "reseditque reginam regni potestas penes dominam Melisendem, Deo amabilem reginam, cui jure hereditario competebat." Melisende was no mere regent-queen for her son Baldwin III, but a Queen Regnant, reigning by right of hereditary and civil law.

[edit] Patroness of the church and arts
An illustration from the Melisende Psalter, commissioned during the Queen's reignMelisende enjoyed the support of the church throughout her lifetime; from her appointment as Baldwin II's successor, throughout the conflict with Fulk, and later when Baldwin III would come of age. In 1138 she founded the large convent of St. Lazarus in Bethany where her younger sister Ioveta would rule as abbess. In keeping with a royal abbey, Melisende granted the convent the fertile plains of Jericho. Additionally, the queen supplied rich furnishings and liturgical vessels, so that it would not be in any way inferior to religious houses for men. According to author and historian Bernard Hamilton, Melisende also gave large "endowments to the Holy Sepulchre, our Lady of Josaphat, the Templum Domini, the order of the Hospital, the leper hospital of Saint Lazarus, and the Praemonstratensians of Saint Samuel's."

Sometime between 1131 and 1143, the queen commissioned the Melisende Psalter. Though influenced by Byzantine and Italian traditions in the illuminations, the artists who contributed to it had a unique and decidedly Jerusalem style. The historian Buchtal wrote that "Jerusalem during the second quarter of the twelfth century possessed a flourishing and well-established scriptorium which could, without difficulty, undertake a commission for a royal manuscript de grand luxe". Bernard Hamilton argues that Melisende must be given credit for sponsoring the artists in her realm.

[edit] Second Crusade
In 1144 the Crusader state of Edessa was besieged in a border war that threatened its survival. Queen Melisende responded by sending an army led by constable Manasses of Hierges, Philip of Milly, and Elinand of Bures. Raymond of Antioch ignored the call for help, as his army was already occupied against the Byzantine Empire in Cilicia. Despite Melisende's army, Edessa fell.

Melisende sent word to the Pope in Rome, and the west called for a Second Crusade. The crusader expedition was led by French King Louis and the German Emperor Conrad II. Accompanying Louis was his wife Eleanor of Aquitaine, with her own vassal lords in tow. Eleanor had herself been designated by her father, William IX, to succeed him in her own right, just as Melisende had been designated to succeed her father.

During the Crusader meeting in Acre in 1148 the battle strategy was planned. Conrad and Louis advised 16-year old Baldwin III to attack the Muslim city-state of Damascus, though Melisende, Manasses, and Eleanor wanted to take Aleppo, which would aid them in retaking Edessa. The meeting ended with Damascus as their target. Damascus and Jerusalem were on very good diplomatic terms and there was a peace treaty between them. The result of this breach of treaty was that Damascus would never trust the Crusader states again, and the loss of a sympathetic Muslim state was a blow from which later monarchs of Jerusalem could not recover. After 11 months Eleanor and Louis departed for France, ending the Second Crusade.

[edit] Mother and son
Melisende's relationship with her son was complex. As a mother she would know her son and his capabilities, and she is known to have been particularly close to her children. As a ruler she may have been reluctant to entrust decision making powers to an untried youth. Either way there was no political or social pressure to grant Baldwin any authority before 1152, even though Baldwin reached majority in 1145. Baldwin III and Melisende were jointly crowned as co-rulers on Christmas Day, 1143. This joint crowning was similar to Melisende's own crowning with her father in 1128, and may have reflected a growing trend to crown one's heir in the present monarch's lifetime, as demonstrated in other realms of this period.

Baldwin grew up to be a capable, if not brilliant, military commander. By age 24 however, Baldwin felt he could take some responsibility in governance. Melisende had hitherto only partially associated Baldwin in her rule. Tension between mother and son mounted between 1150 and 1152, with Baldwin blaming Manasses for alienating his mother from him. The crisis reached a boiling point early 1152 when Baldwin demanded the patriarch Fulcher to crown him in the Holy Sepulchre, without Melisende present. The Patriarch refused. Baldwin, in protest, staged a procession in the city streets wearing laurel wreaths, a kind of self-crowning.

Baldwin and Melisende agreed to put the decision to the Haute Cour. The Haute Cour decided that Baldwin would rule the north of the kingdom and Melisende the richer Judea and Samaria, and Jerusalem itself. Melisende acquiesced, though with misgivings. This decision would prevent a civil war but also divide the kingdom's resources. Though later historians criticized Melisende for not abdicating in favor of her son, there was little impetus for her to do so. She was universally recognized as an exceptional steward for her kingdom, and her rule had been characterized as a wise one by church leaders and other contemporaries. Baldwin had not shown any interest in governance prior to 1152, and had resisted responsibility in this arena. The Church clearly supported Melisende, as did the barons of Judea and Samaria.

Despite putting the matter before the Haute Cour, Baldwin was not happy with the partition any more than Melisende. But instead of reaching further compromise, within weeks of the decision he launched an invasion of his mother's realms. Baldwin showed that he was Fulk's son by quickly taking the field; Nablus and Jerusalem fell swiftly. Melisende with her younger son Amalric and others sought refuge in the Tower of David. Church mediation between mother and son resulted with the grant of the city of Nablus and adjacent lands to Melisende to rule for life, and a solemn oath by Baldwin III not to disturb her peace. This peace settlement demonstrated that though Melisende lost the "civil war" to her son, she still maintained great influence and avoided total obscurity in a convent.

[edit] Retirement
By 1153 son and mother had been reconciled. Since the civil war, Baldwin had shown his mother great respect. Melisende's connections, especially to her sister Hodierna, and to her niece Constance of Antioch, meant that she had direct influence in northern Syria, a priceless connection since Baldwin had himself broken the treaty with Damascus in 1147.

As Baldwin III was often on military campaigns he realized he had few reliable advisers. From 1154 onwards she is again associated with her son in many of his official public acts. In 1156 she concluded a treaty with the merchants of Pisa. In 1157, with Baldwin on campaign in Antioch, Melisande saw an opportunity to take el-Hablis, which controlled the lands of Gilead beyond the Jordan. Also in 1157, on the death of patriarch Fulcher, Melisende, her half-sister Sibylla of Flanders, and Ioveta the Abbess of Bethany, had Amalric of Nesle appointed as patriarch of Jerusalem. Additionally, Melisende was witness to her son Amalric's marriage to Agnes of Courtenay in 1157. In 1160 she gave her assent to a grant made by her son Amalric to the Holy Sepulchre, perhaps on the occasion of the birth of her granddaughter Sibylla to Agnes and Amalric.

[edit] Death
In 1161 Melisende had what appears to be a stroke. Her memory was severely impaired and she could no longer take part in state affairs. Her sisters, the countess of Tripoli and abbess of Bethany, came to nurse her before she died on September 11, 1161. Melisende was buried next to her mother Morphia in the shrine of Our Lady of Josaphat. Melisende, like her mother, bequeathed property to the Orthodox monastery of Saint S'eba.

William of Tyre, writing on Melisende's 30-year reign, wrote that "she was a very wise woman, fully experienced in almost all affairs of state business, who completely triumphed over the handicap of her sex so she could take charge of important affairs...", and "striving to emulate the glory of the best princes, [Melisende] ruled the kingdom with such ability that she was rightly considered to have equalled her predecessors in that regard." William of Tyre's comments may seem rather patronizing to a modern audience, wrote professor Bernard Hamilton of the University of Nottingham, however this was a great show of respect from a society and culture in which women were regarded with less rights and authority then their brothers, fathers, and even sons.

[edit] Sources
Hans E. Meyer, "Studies in the History of Queen Melisende of Jerusalem", Dumbarton Oaks Papers 26 (1972)
Bernard Hamilton, "Women in the Crusader States: The Queens of Jerusalem", in Medieval Women, edited by Derek Baker. Ecclesiastical History Society, 1978
Uppity Women of the Medieval Times", by Vicki Leon. Conari Press, 1997
Damsels Not in Distress: the True Story of Women in Medieval Times", by Andrea Hopkins, Ph.D. the Rosen Publishing Group, Inc. 2004

[edit] Historical fiction
Judith Tarr, Queen of Swords, Tom Doherty LLC., 1997.
Preceded by:
Baldwin II Queen of Jerusalem
1131–1153
(with Fulk, 1131-1143;
with Baldwin III, 1143-1153) Succeeded by:
Baldwin III

Melissande did not love Fulk V, she was in love with Hugh de la Puiset, lord of Jaffy.

In Uppity Women of Medieval Times by Vicki Leon (LBerkeley, CA., Conari Press, 1997)

There was a feud between Melissande and her son, Baldwin. Things got so bad, that the holy land holdings were divided between them. Melissande, tired of fighting, entered a convent that she founded at Bethany. She was buried in the tomb of the Virgin, in the valley of Jehoshaphat, an ironic choice since Melissande was known to break both of the Golden Rule and The Ten Commandments.
This account states that Fulk V of Anjoy was (1) "too short" (2) "too old" (3) "had complexion that would make a gravel road look good." Her lover, Hugh "Studmuffin," was a handsome man. Hugh was disenchanted with his own marriage to an affluent widow with adult children--most likely made to add to his own money coffers. Hugh was Melissande's chosen "love", but times being what they werre, love had little to do with it.
There is not much about her family before Baldwin II. Baldwin II, King of Jerusalem, succeeded his cousin, Baldwin I, on Easter 1118. King Baldwin II encouraged a few more European settlers, while the kingdom's simple and almost military court began adopting the trappings of oriental splendour. In 1120 King Baldwin II moved out of the al-Aqsa mosque and erected a royal palace next to the "Tow of David," the citadel of Jerusalem overlooking the Jaffa Gate on the west side of the city.
In early 1127,l King Baldwin II and the barons had decided to offer his eldest daughter, Melissande to Fulk of Anjoy. Baldwin had four daughters and so sons. When he died, in 1131, Melissande and Fulk took his crown. Baldwin's wife was Morphia, daughter of Gabriel of Melitene (Malatya).
There was a revolt against King Fulk in 1134. Queen Melissande and her son, Baldwin III, struggled between 1140 and 1152.
Phillip of Bavlus, eldest son of Guy de Milly (in Picardy), took up military activities on behalf of Queen Melissande. The schism between the queen and her two sons became more overt after 1150. It was evildent that together with Amalric--the queen's youngest son and Rohard the elder-Phillip was one of Melissande's stongest supporters. He was thus put on the losing side when Baldwin III removed the queen from power in Aplril 1152. After losing her throne, Melissande was often sick. Her last illness, in 1161, killed her. she died September 11, 1161, in Bethany Convent, where her niece was Abbess. Melissande was buried in the Tomb of the Virgin in the valley of Jehoshaphat.
After his wounding, there is no mention of Hugh de las Puisit in any of the books.
Amalric's successor, Baldwin IV, was sick with leprosy, a disease which killed him in 1185, at the age of 24.

[BIGOD-Mel Morris,10Gen Anc.FTW]

TITL Washington Ancestry & Records of McClain, Johnson & Forty Other Colonial American Families
PUBL Chart: The Ancestry of Mourning Adams Garner, pp 54-55, Vol I
REPO
3 volume set
CALN
MEDI Book
DATA
TEXT Melisinda (unknown), no parents
_FA1
PLAC Acceded: 1131. Deposed 1152.
_FA2
PLAC Reputed to have "dark powers" that she used to help her husband Fulk.

TYPE Book
AUTH A or c:Weis, Frederick Lewis
PERI Ancestral Roots
EDTN 7th
PUBL Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., Baltimore, MD (1999)
TEXT (118-24)
TYPE E-Mail Message
AUTH (Maggie) ((XXXXX@XXXX.XXX))
TITL More on Melisande and Kings of Jerusalem [some sources listed]
DATE 9 Jun 1998
LOCA (XXXXX@XXXX.XXX)/PowerMac 6500>Applications>Reunion>Documents-source!Parents: Baldwin II, King of Jerusalem & Morphia (d/o Gabriel of Melitene).
TYPE E-Mail Message
AUTH (Maggie) ((XXXXX@XXXX.XXX))
TITL More on Melisande and Kings of Jerusalem [some sources listed]
DATE 9 Jun 1998
LOCA (XXXXX@XXXX.XXX)/PowerMac 6500>Applications>Reunion>Documents-source
DATE 13 APR 2000

GIVN Melisende D' Jerusalem)
SURN EDESSE
! AFN:9HPW-K5.
! BAPTISM, ENDOWMENT: IGI 1994 1903651 film.
! SEAL SPOUSE: IGI 1994 1903667 film.

SURN Edesse
GIVN Melisende D'
NSFX Queen of Jeruusalem
_UID 807F7B6F75FFD411B9FE90B0FC4EB12E6214
DATE 9 Jan 1998
TIME 20:10:19

GIVN Melisende d'
SURN EDESSE
AFN 9HPW-K5

GIVN Melisende D'
SURN EDESSE QUEEN OF JERUSALEM
AFN 9HPW-K5
REPO @REPO32@
TITL Ancestral File (TM)
AUTH The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
PUBL June 1998 (c), data as of 5 JAN 1998
ABBR Ancestral File (TM)
_MASTER Y

SURN Edesse Queen of Jerusalem
GIVN Melisende D'
AFN 9HPW-K5
_UID 4B6DD5D394F1074F939F0B5317018D19892C
REPO @REPO4@
TITL Ancestral File (TM)
AUTH The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
PUBL July 1996 (c), data as of 2 January 1996
_ITALIC Y
_PAREN Y
DATE 9 Nov 1999
TIME 00:00:00

GIVN Melisende D'
SURN d'Edesse
NSFX Queen
AFN 9HPW-K5
DATE 25 APR 2000
TIME 20:46:14

OCCU Queen of Jerusalem
SOUR www.gendex.com
SOUR Royalty for Commoners, Roderick W. Stuart
PAGE 37
QUAY 1

Also assisting Baldwin during the attack on Damascus was his new son-in-law, Fulk V of Anjou. Baldwin had no sons with Morphia, but four daughters: Melisende, Alice, Hodierna, and Ioveta. In 1129 Baldwin named Melisende his heir, and arranged for her to marry Fulk. His daughters Alice and Hodierna also married important princes, Bohemund II of Antioch and Raymond II of Tripoli respectively (his fourth daughter Ioveta became a nun in Bethany). In 1131 Baldwin fell sick and died on August 21, and was buried in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Melisende, by law the heir to the kingdom, succeeded him with Fulk as her consort. The new queen and king were crowned on September 14.

Melisende's father Balwin II bolstered her position in the kingdom bym aking her sole guardian of her son by Fulk, Baldwin III, born in 1130 . Melisende (1105 - September 11, 1161) was Queen of Jerusalem from 11 31 to 1153. Melisende was the eldest daughter of King Baldwin II of J erusalem and the Armenian princess Morphia of Melitene. Jerusalem hadr ecently been conquered by Christian Franks in 1099 during the First Cr usade, and was ruled by a dynasty from the County of Boulogne in Franc e. Melisende was the heir of this dynasty.

Melisende was designated as the successor of her father before 1129. F ew women at this time inherited a throne in their own right; contempor aries of Melisende who did so included Empress Maud (1102-1169), Urrac a of Castile (1109-1129) and Eleanor of Aquitaine (1121-1204). Duringh er father's reign Melisende was styled filia regis et regni Jerosolimi tani haeres ("daughter of the king and heir of the kingdom of Jerusale m") and took precedence above other nobles and Christian clergy in cer emonial occasions. Increasingly she was associated with her father on official documents, including in the minting of money, granting of fie fdoms and other forms of patronage, and in diplomatic correspondance. Baldwin raised his daughter as a capable successor to himself and Meli sende enjoyed the suport of the Haute Cour, a kind of royal councilcom prising the nobility and clergy of the realm.

However, Baldwin also recognized that he would have to marry Melisend e to a powerful ally, one who would protect and safeguard Melisende'si nheritance as Queen and her future heirs. His intention was for a cons ort for his daughter. Baldwin chose Fulk V of Anjou, a renowned crusad er and military commander, and the paternal grandfather of Henry Plant agent (Fulk's son Geoffrey was married to Empress Maud, Henry I of Eng land's designated heir as England's next Queen regnant). Throughout th e negotiations Fulk insisted on being joint ruler with Melisende. Bald win aquiesced to these demands as Fulk was relatively rich (even fora crusader) and would bring much military expierence with him in defens e of Jerusalem. Melisende and Fulk soon had a son and heir in 1130, th e future Baldwin III. As an indication of Baldwin II's intentions toma ke Melisende sole queen and to strengthen her position, he designated Melisende as guardian for the young Baldwin, excluding Fulk altogether .

After Baldwin II's death in 1131, Melisende and Fulk ascended to the t hrone as joint rulers. However, with the aid of his crusader knights F ulk excluded Melisende from granting titles and other forms of patrona ge, and publicly dismissed her authority. This treatment of their Quee n irritated the members of the Haute Cour, whose own positions would b e eroded if Fulk countinued to dominate the realm.

The estrangement between husband and wife was a convenient political t ool that Fulk used in 1134 when he accused Hugh II of Le Puiset, Coun t of Jaffa, of having an affair with Melisende. Hugh was the most powe rful baron in the kingdom, and devotedly loyal to the memory of Baldwi n II. This loyalty now extended to Melisende, though Hugh, by strict s alic law, held a better claim to the throne. Hugh was a cousin of Meli sende, and also a member of the royal family. Contemporary sources, su ch as William of Tyre, discount the infidelity of Melisende and instea d point out that Fulk overly favoured newly arrived Frankish crusader s from Anjou over the native nobility of the kingdom. Had Melisende be en guilty the church and nobility likely would not have later ralliedt o her cause.

Hugh allied himself with the Muslim city of Ascalon, and was able to h old off the army set against him. He could not maintain his position i ndefinitely, however. His alliance with Ascalon cost him support at co urt. The Patriarch negotiated lenient terms for peace, and Hugh was ex iled for three years. Soon thereafter an unsuccessful assassination at tempt against Hugh was attributed to Fulk or his suporters. This was r eason enough for the queen's party to openly challenge Fulk, as Fulk' s unfounded assertions of infidelity was a public affront that would d amage Melisende's position entirely.

Through what amounted to a palace coup, the queen's supporters overcam e Fulk, and from 1135 onwards Fulk's influence rapidly deteriorated. O ne historian wrote that Fulk's suporters "went in terror of their live s" in the palace. William of Tyre wrote that Fulk "did not attempt tot ake the initiative, even in trivial matters, without (Melisende's) kno wledge". Husband and wife reconciled by 1136 and a second son, Amalric , was born. When Fulk was killed in a hunting accident in 1143, Melise nde publicly and privately mourned for him.

Melisende's victory was complete. Again she is seen in the historicalr ecord granting titles of nobility, fiefdoms, appointments and offices , granting royal favours and pardons and holding court. Of Melisende,W illiam of Tyre wrote "reseditque reginam regni potestas penes dominam Melisendem, Deo amabilem reginam, cui jure hereditario competebat."Mel isende was no mere regent-queen for her son Baldwin III, but a Queen R egnant, reigning by right of hereditary and civil law.

Melisende enjoyed the support of the church throughout her lifetime; f rom her appointment as Baldwin II's successor, throughout the conflic t with Fulk, and later when Baldwin III would come of age. In 1138 sh e founded a large convent in Bethany where her younger sister Ioveta w ould rule as abess. In keeping with a royal abbey, Melisende granted t he convent the fertile plains of Jericho. Additionally, the queen supp lied rich furnishings and liturgical vessels, so that it would not bei n any way inferior to religious houses for men. Acording to author an d historian Bernard Hamilton, Melisende also gave large "endowments t o the Holy Sepulchre, our Lady of Josaphat, the Templum Domini, the or der of the Hospital, the leper hospital of Saint Lazarus, and the Prae monstratensians of Saint Samuel's."

Sometime between 1131 to 1143, the queen commissioned the Melisende Ps alter. Though influenced by Byzantine and Italian traditions in the il luminations, the artists who contributed to it had a unique and decide dly Jerusalem style. The historian Buchtal wrote that "Jerusalem durin g the second quarter of the twelfth century possessed a flourishing an d well-established scriptorium which could, without difficulty, undert ake a commission for a royal manuscript de grand luxe". Melisende mus t be given credit for sponsoring the artists in her realm, wrote Berna rd Hamilton.

At the time of Fulk V's death, Melisende was left as regent for her so n Baldwin. With the fall of Edessa in 1143, the west called for a Sec ond Crusade. The crusader expedition was led by French King Louis and the GermanEmperor Conrad II. Accompanying Louis was his wife Eleanor o f Aquitaine, with her own vassal lords in tow. Eleanor had herself bee n designated by her father, William IX, to succeed him in her own righ t, just as Melisende had been designated to succeed her father.

The Second Crusade was a complete military and diplomatic disaster, pl agued by in-fighting and poor planning, all of which would directly le ad to the eventual fall of Jerusalem. Conrad had badly advised 16-yea r old Baldwin III to attack the Muslim city-state of Damascus. The oth er crusaders wanted to take Aleppo, which would aid them in retaking E dessa. Damascus and Jerusalem were on very good diplomatic terms and h eld a peace treaty between them. The result of this breach of treaty w as that Damascus would never trust the Crusader states again, and thel oss of a sympathic Muslim state was a blow that later monarchs of Jeru salem could not recover from.

Despite the military and diplomatic setbacks caused by the Second Crus ade, in Jerusalem the meeting between Melisende and Eleanor must haveh ad an impact on both women. Melisende was indisputed queen by right,he ad of a nation and subject to no man. The palace was well appointedwit h all the Oriental splendor and comforts that western Europe's draught y castles and poor sanitation lacked. From fine quality Persian carpet s and wall tapestries, fine silk sheets and clothing, mosaic floors, t o bathing and goorming habits, the Jerusalem of Melisende must have se emed a kind of paradise to western Europeans. Eleanor, sure of hersel f and with the nerve of her youth and renowned beauty, must have been influenced by this. This meeting between the two queens with theirshar ed expierences may have engendered a kind of 'kindred spirit' friendsh ip between them, though Eleanor was in disgrace for alleged infidelit y with her uncle in Antioch. Eleanor may have seen Melisende's success es as inspiration, influencing her dealings with her husbands and sons , even with the governance of Aquitaine once Eleanor returned to Poito u. After 11 months Eleanor and Louis departed for France, ending the S econd Crusade.

Melisende's relationship with her son was complex. As a mother she wou ld know her son and his capabilities, and she is known to have been pa rticulary close to her children. As a ruler she may have been reluctan t to entrust decision making powers to an untried youth. Either way th ere was no political or social presure to grant Baldwin any authorityb efore 1152, even though Baldwin reached majority in 1145. Baldwin III and Melisende were jointly crowned as co-rulers on Christmas Day, 1143 . This joint crowning was simular to Melisende's own crowning with he r father in 1128, and may have reflected a growing trend to crown one' s heir in the present monarch's lifetime, as demonstrated in other rea lms of this period.

Baldwin grew up to be a capable, if not brilliant, military commander . In 1144 Melisende had appointed Manassas of Hierges to the post of c onstable of the Kingdom. By age 24 however, Baldwin felt he could tak e some responsibility in governance. Melisende had hitherto only parti ally associated Baldwin in her rule. Tension between mother and son mo unted between 1150 and 1152, with Baldwin blaming Manassas for alienat ing his mother from him. The crisis reached a boiling point early 115 2 when Baldwin demanded the patriarch Fulcher to crown him in the Hol y Sepulchre, without Melisende present. The Patriarch refused. Baldwin , in protest, staged a procession in the city streets wearing laurel w reaths, a kind of self-crowning.

Baldwin and Melisende agreed to put the decision to the Haute Cour. Th e Haute Cour decided that Baldwin would rule the north of the kingdoma nd Melisende the richer Judea and Samaria, and Jerusalem itself. Melis ende aquiesced, though with misgivings. This dicision would preventa c ivil war but also divide the kingdom's resources. Though later histori ans criticized Melisende for not abdicating in favor of her son, ther e was little impetus for her to do so. She was universally recognized as an exceptional steward for her kingdom, and her rule had been chara cterized as a wise one by church leaders and other contemporaries. Bal dwin had not shown any interest in governance prior to 1152, and had r esisted responsibilty in this arena. The Church clearly supported Meli sende, as did the barons of Judea and Samaria.

Despite putting the matter before the Haute Cour, Baldwin was not happ y with the partition any more the Melisende. But instead of reaching f urther comprimise, within weeks of the decision he launched an invasio n of his mother's realms. Baldwin showed that he was Fulk's son by qui ckly taking the field; Nablus and Jerusalem fell swiftly. Melisende wi th her younger son Amalric and others sought refuge in the Tower of Da vid. Church mediation between mother and son resulted with Melisende g ranted the city of Nablus and adjacent lands to rule for life, and a s olemn oath by Baldwin III not to disturb her peace. This peace settelm ent demonstrated that though Melisende lost the "civil war" to her son , she still maintained great influence and avoided total obsurity ina convent. By 1153 son and mother reconciled. Since the civil war, Bald win had shown his mother great respect. Melisende's connections, espec ially to her sister Hodierna of Tripoli, and to her niece Constanceof Antioch, meant that she had direct influence in northern Syria, a pric eless connection since Baldwin had himself broken the treaty with Dama scus in 1147.

As Baldwin III was often on military campaigns he realized he had fewr eliable advisors. From 1154 onwards she is again associated with herso n in many of his official public acts. In 1156 she concluded a treaty with the merchants of Pisa. In 1157, with Baldwin on campaign in Antio ch, Melisande saw an opertunity to take el-Hablis, which controlledth e lands of Gilead beyond the Jordon. Also in 1157, on the death of pat riarch Fulcher, Melisende, her half-sister Sibylla of Flanders, andIov eta the Abbess of Bethany, had Amalric of Nesle appointed as patriarc h of Jerusalem. In 1160 she gave her assent to a grant made by her so n Amalric to the Holy Sepulchre.

In 1161 Melisende had what appears to be a stroke. Her memory was seve rly impared and she could no longer take part in state affairs. Her si sters, the countess of Tripoli and abbess of Bethany, came to nurse he r before she died on 11 September, 1161. Melisende was barried next t o her mother Morphia in the shrine of Our Lady of Josaphat. Melisende , like her mother, bequeathed property to the Orthodox monastery of Sa int S'eba.

William of Tyre, writing on Melisende's 30-year reign, wrote that "sh e was a very wise woman, fully exprienced in almost all affairs of sta te buisness, who comepletely triumphed over the handicap of her sex s o she could take charge of important affairs...," and " striving to em ulate the glory of the best princes, (Melisende) ruled the kingdom wit h such ability that she was rightly considered to have equalled her pr edecessors in that reguard." William of Tyre's comments may seem rathe r patronizing to a modern audience, wrote professor Benard Hamilton o f the University of Nottingham, however this was a great show of respe ct from a society and culture in which women were reguarded with lessr ights and authority then their brothers, fathers, and even sons.

{geni:occupation} Reine, de Jérusalem, Regent i Jerusalem (1131-1143), Régente du royaume de Jérusalem (1143-1152)

{geni:about_me} Alt Death Dates: 9/12/1160, 9/11/1161, 9/11/1161m c. 9/11/1146

Melisende was the daughter of the king of the Frankish kingdom of Jerusalem and his Armenian wife. Christian crusaders had wrested Jerusalem from the Muslims in 1099.

Melisende began her reign with her father at the end of his life. In 1129 she married Fulk V of Anjou (France). In 1131, they became joint rulers of Jerusalem, although Fulk outshone Melisende and effectively ignored her. In the mid 1130s this changed. Rumors flew, accusing Melisende of having an affair with Fulk's biggest rival, the rebel Hugh II. Fulk chose to believe the rumors and provoked a war against Melisende and her supporters. But her forces prevailed, and her fortunes changed. She insisted on strong peace-terms, which included her admission to the inner councils of the kingdom. She was given great leeway in promoting the arts and in founding a huge abbey. Thereafter, wrote the historian William of Tyre, Fulk "never tried to initiate anything, even in trivial matters, with her foreknowledge."

After Fulk's death Melisende became regent for her 13 year old son, Baldwin.

But by now, however, she had had a taste of real power and she became determined to hold unto it. 1145 was the year Baldwin was to celebrate the attainment of his majority. Melisende ignored the date, easing him out of every place of influence, omitting his name from public acts.

Baldwin put up with this mother's actions until 1152. Complaining to the high court of the kingdom that his mother would not let him rule, he demanded that the realm be divided between mother and son. This is what happened. Melisende ruled Judaea and Samaria and Baldwin the north.

The division didn't last for long. While Melisende's supporters urged the Franks to take account of her efficient administration and ability to rule, it was Baldwin who held the right to rule. This alone was enough to gain greater support for his cause. After a brief military campaign against her, he overwhelmed his mother's army. Her last stronghold was the cramped confines of the Tower of David in Jerusalem.

In spite of their past disagreements, mother and son were reconciled, and she remained one of his closest advisers until her death.

But these rivalries greatly damaged the future of the crusader's Kingdom of Jerusalem. The Muslims took great tracts of territories from the crusaders during the period of Melisende's troubled reign. As a result, Jerusalem never again let a woman rule. When in 1186 a woman actually inherited the crown, her husband was effectively elevated to rule in her place.

Of course, the rivalries between Melisende and her husband and son were not the only reasons Christians had trouble holding on the Jerusalem. Your textbooks should reveal other weakness within and without the Kingdom of Jerusalem.

Resources:

Betty Millan, Monstrous Regiment: Women Rulers in Men's World, The Kensal Press, London, 1982.

David Jones, Women Warriors, A History, Brassey's, London, 1997.

The International Dictionary of Women's Biography, cites a chapter on her by B. Hamilton, 'Queen of Jerusalem' in "Medieval Women," 1978.

Web Site: http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Styx/9329/woman1.html

--------------------

Melisende of Jerusalem

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Melisende of Jerusalem (1105 – September 11, 1161) was Queen of Jerusalem from 1131 to 1153. She was the eldest daughter of King Baldwin II of Jerusalem, and the Armenian princess Morphia of Melitene. She was named after her paternal grandmother, Melisende of Montlhery, wife of Hugh I, Count of Rethel. She had three younger sisters: Alice, princess of Antioch; Hodierna, countess of Tripoli; and Ioveta, abbess of St. Lazarus in Bethany. Hodierna's daughter, Melisende of Tripoli, was named in honor of the queen.

Inheritance

Jerusalem had recently been conquered by Christian Franks in 1099 during the First Crusade, and was ruled by a dynasty originally from the County of Rethel in France. Melisende was the heir of this dynasty, and was designated her father's successor before 1129. Women who inherited territory usually did so because war and violence brought many men to premature death, and women who were recognized as queen regnant rarely exercised their authority. Contemporaries of Melisende who did rule, however, included Urraca of Castile (1080 – 1129), Empress Matilda (1102 – 1169), and Eleanor of Aquitaine (1121 – 1204). Melisende's authority was not passed over for her son but was independent of it, as William of Tyre wrote reseditque reginam regni potestas penes dominam Melisendem, Deo amabilem reginam, cui jure hereditario competebat ("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"). Melisende was no mere regent-queen (for her son Baldwin III), but a Queen Regnant, reigning by right of hereditary and civil law.

During her father's reign Melisende was styled filia regis et regni Jerosolimitani haeres ("daughter of the king and heir of the kingdom of Jerusalem") and took precedence above other nobles and Christian clergy in ceremonial occasions. Increasingly she was associated with her father on official documents, including in the minting of money, granting of fiefdoms and other forms of patronage, and in diplomatic correspondence. Baldwin raised his daughter as a capable successor to himself and Melisende enjoyed the support of the Haute Cour, a kind of royal council comprising the nobility and clergy of the realm.

However, Baldwin also thought that he would have to marry Melisende to a powerful ally, one who would protect and safeguard Melisende's inheritance as Queen and her future heirs. His intention was for a consort for his daughter, not a reigning king-consort. Baldwin chose Fulk V of Anjou, a renowned crusader and military commander, and in the future the paternal grandfather of Henry Plantagenet (Fulk's son of previous marriage, Geoffrey was in these same years married to Empress Matilda, Henry I of England's designated heir as England's next Queen regnant). Throughout the negotiations Fulk insisted on being joint ruler with Melisende. Baldwin acquiesced to these demands as Fulk was relatively rich (even for a crusader) and would bring troops and much military experience with him in defense of Jerusalem. Melisende bore a son and heir in 1130, the future Baldwin III. As an indication of Baldwin II's intentions to make Melisende sole queen and to strengthen her position, he designated Melisende as guardian for the young Baldwin, excluding Fulk altogether.

After Baldwin II's death in 1131, Melisende and Fulk ascended to the throne as joint rulers. However, with the aid of his crusader knights Fulk excluded Melisende from granting titles and other forms of patronage, and publicly dismissed her authority. This treatment of their Queen irritated the members of the Haute Cour, whose own positions would be eroded if Fulk continued to dominate the realm.

Palace intrigue

The estrangement between husband and wife was a convenient political tool that Fulk used in 1134 when he accused Hugh II of Le Puiset, Count of Jaffa, of having an affair with Melisende. Hugh was the most powerful baron in the kingdom, and devotedly loyal to the memory of Baldwin II. This loyalty now extended to Melisende, though Hugh, by strict male succession, held a better claim to the throne. Hugh was a cousin of Melisende, and also a member of the royal family. Contemporary sources, such as William of Tyre, discount the infidelity of Melisende and instead point out that Fulk overly favoured newly arrived Frankish crusaders from Anjou over the native nobility of the kingdom. Had Melisende been guilty the church and nobility likely would not have later rallied to her cause.

Hugh allied himself with the Muslim city of Ascalon, and was able to hold off the army set against him. He could not maintain his position indefinitely, however. His alliance with Ascalon cost him support at court. The Patriarch negotiated lenient terms for peace, and Hugh was exiled for three years. Soon thereafter an unsuccessful assassination attempt against Hugh was attributed to Fulk or his supporters. This was reason enough for the queen's party to openly challenge Fulk, as Fulk's unfounded assertions of infidelity was a public affront that would damage Melisende's position entirely.

Through what amounted to a palace coup, the queen's supporters overcame Fulk, and from 1135 onwards Fulk's influence rapidly deteriorated. One historian wrote that Fulk's supporters "went in terror of their lives" in the palace. William of Tyre wrote that Fulk "did not attempt to take the initiative, even in trivial matters, without [Melisende's] knowledge". Husband and wife reconciled by 1136 and a second son, Amalric, was born. When Fulk was killed in a hunting accident in 1143, Melisende publicly and privately mourned for him.

Melisende's victory was complete. Again she is seen in the historical record granting titles of nobility, fiefdoms, appointments and offices, granting royal favours and pardons and holding court. Of Melisende, William of Tyre wrote "reseditque reginam regni potestas penes dominam Melisendem, Deo amabilem reginam, cui jure hereditario competebat." Melisende was no mere regent-queen for her son Baldwin III, but a Queen Regnant, reigning by right of hereditary and civil law.

Patroness of the church and arts

Melisende enjoyed the support of the church throughout her lifetime; from her appointment as Baldwin II's successor, throughout the conflict with Fulk, and later when Baldwin III would come of age. In 1138 she founded the large convent of St. Lazarus in Bethany where her younger sister Ioveta would rule as abbess. In keeping with a royal abbey, Melisende granted the convent the fertile plains of Jericho. Additionally, the queen supplied rich furnishings and liturgical vessels, so that it would not be in any way inferior to religious houses for men. According to author and historian Bernard Hamilton, Melisende also gave large

"endowments to the Holy Sepulchre, our Lady of Josaphat, the Templum Domini, the order of the Hospital, the leper hospital of Saint Lazarus, and the Praemonstratensians of Saint Samuel's."

Sometime between 1131 and 1143, the queen received the Melisende Psalter. It has been argued that the Psalter was given as a gift from Fulk after their dispute and alleged infidelity surrounding Hugh. The reason for this is the Falcon that is engraved into the ivory back cover, which is a word-play on the word Fulk. Though influenced by Byzantine and Italian traditions in the illuminations, the artists who contributed to it had a unique and decidedly 'Jerusalem style'. The historian Hugo Buchtal wrote that

"Jerusalem during the second quarter of the twelfth century possessed a flourishing and well-established scriptorium which could, without difficulty, undertake a commission for a royal manuscript de grand luxe".

[edit]Second Crusade

In 1144 the Crusader state of Edessa was besieged in a border war that threatened its survival. Queen Melisende responded by sending an army led by constable Manasses of Hierges, Philip of Milly, and Elinand of Bures. Raymond of Antioch ignored the call for help, as his army was already occupied against the Byzantine Empire in Cilicia. Despite Melisende's army, Edessa fell.

Melisende sent word to the Pope in Rome, and the west called for a Second Crusade. The crusader expedition was led by French King Louis and the German Emperor Conrad III. Accompanying Louis was his wife Eleanor of Aquitaine, with her own vassal lords in tow. Eleanor had herself been designated by her father, William IX, to succeed him in her own right, just as Melisende had been designated to succeed her father.

During the Crusader meeting in Acre in 1148 the battle strategy was planned. Conrad and Louis advised 16-year old Baldwin III to attack the Muslim city-state of Damascus, though Melisende, Manasses, and Eleanor wanted to take Aleppo, which would aid them in retaking Edessa. The meeting ended with Damascus as their target. Damascus and Jerusalem were on very good diplomatic terms and there was a peace treaty between them. The result of this breach of treaty was that Damascus would never trust the Crusader states again, and the loss of a sympathetic Muslim state was a blow from which later monarchs of Jerusalem could not recover. After 11 months Eleanor and Louis departed for France, ending the Second Crusade.

[edit]Mother and son

Melisende's relationship with her son was complex. As a mother she would know her son and his capabilities, and she is known to have been particularly close to her children. As a ruler she may have been reluctant to entrust decision making powers to an untried youth. Either way there was no political or social pressure to grant Baldwin any authority before 1152, even though Baldwin reached majority in 1145. Baldwin III and Melisende were jointly crowned as co-rulers on Christmas Day, 1143. This joint crowning was similar to Melisende's own crowning with her father in 1128, and may have reflected a growing trend to crown one's heir in the present monarch's lifetime, as demonstrated in other realms of this period.

Baldwin grew up to be a capable, if not brilliant, military commander. By age 24 however, Baldwin felt he could take some responsibility in governance. Melisende had hitherto only partially associated Baldwin in her rule. Tension between mother and son mounted between 1150 and 1152, with Baldwin blaming Manasses for alienating his mother from him. The crisis reached a boiling point early 1152 when Baldwin demanded the patriarch Fulcher to crown him in the Holy Sepulchre, without Melisende present. The Patriarch refused. Baldwin, in protest, staged a procession in the city streets wearing laurel wreaths, a kind of self-crowning.

Baldwin and Melisende agreed to put the decision to the Haute Cour. The Haute Cour decided that Baldwin would rule the north of the kingdom and Melisende the richer Judea and Samaria, and Jerusalem itself. Melisende acquiesced, though with misgivings. This decision would prevent a civil war but also divide the kingdom's resources. Though later historians criticized Melisende for not abdicating in favor of her son, there was little impetus for her to do so. She was universally recognized as an exceptional steward for her kingdom, and her rule had been characterized as a wise one by church leaders and other contemporaries. Baldwin had not shown any interest in governance prior to 1152, and had resisted responsibility in this arena. The Church clearly supported Melisende, as did the barons of Judea and Samaria.

Despite putting the matter before the Haute Cour, Baldwin was not happy with the partition any more than Melisende. But instead of reaching further compromise, within weeks of the decision he launched an invasion of his mother's realms. Baldwin showed that he was Fulk's son by quickly taking the field; Nablus and Jerusalem fell swiftly. Melisende with her younger son Amalric and others sought refuge in the Tower of David. Church mediation between mother and son resulted with the grant of the city of Nablus and adjacent lands to Melisende to rule for life, and a solemn oath by Baldwin III not to disturb her peace. This peace settlement demonstrated that though Melisende lost the "civil war" to her son, she still maintained great influence and avoided total obscurity in a convent.

[edit]Retirement

By 1153 son and mother had been reconciled. Since the civil war, Baldwin had shown his mother great respect. Melisende's connections, especially to her sister Hodierna, and to her niece Constance of Antioch, meant that she had direct influence in northern Syria, a priceless connection since Baldwin had himself broken the treaty with Damascus in 1147.

As Baldwin III was often on military campaigns he realized he had few reliable advisers. From 1154 onwards she is again associated with her son in many of his official public acts. In 1156 she concluded a treaty with the merchants of Pisa. In 1157, with Baldwin on campaign in Antioch, Melisende saw an opportunity to take el-Hablis, which controlled the lands of Gilead beyond the Jordan. Also in 1157, on the death of patriarch Fulcher, Melisende, her half-sister Sibylla of Flanders, and Ioveta the Abbess of Bethany, had Amalric of Nesle appointed as patriarch of Jerusalem. Additionally, Melisende was witness to her son Amalric's marriage to Agnes of Courtenay in 1157. In 1160 she gave her assent to a grant made by her son Amalric to the Holy Sepulchre, perhaps on the occasion of the birth of her granddaughter Sibylla to Agnes and Amalric.

[edit]Death

In 1161 Melisende had what appears to be a stroke. Her memory was severely impaired and she could no longer take part in state affairs. Her sisters, the countess of Tripoli and abbess of Bethany, came to nurse her before she died on September 11, 1161. Melisende was buried next to her mother Morphia in the shrine of Our Lady of Josaphat. Melisende, like her mother, bequeathed property to the Orthodox monastery of Saint S'eba.

William of Tyre, writing on Melisende's 30-year reign, wrote that "she was a very wise woman, fully experienced in almost all affairs of state business, who completely triumphed over the handicap of her sex so she could take charge of important affairs...", and "striving to emulate the glory of the best princes, Melisende ruled the kingdom with such ability that she was rightly considered to have equalled her predecessors in that regard." William of Tyre's comments may seem rather patronizing to a modern audience, wrote professor Bernard Hamilton of the University of Nottingham; however, this was a great show of respect from a society and culture in which women were regarded as having less rights and authority than their brothers, fathers, and even sons.

[edit]Sources

Women, Crusading and the Holy Land in Historical Narrative, by Natasha Hodgson, (Woodbridge: Boydell, 2007)

Hans E. Meyer, "Studies in the History of Queen Melisende of Jerusalem", Dumbarton Oaks Papers 26 (1972)

Bernard Hamilton, "Women in the Crusader States: The Queens of Jerusalem", in Medieval Women, edited by Derek Baker. Ecclesiastical History Society, 1978

Uppity Women of the Medieval Times", by Vicki Leon. Conari Press, 1997

Damsels Not in Distress: the True Story of Women in Medieval Times", by Andrea Hopkins, Ph.D. the Rosen Publishing Group, Inc. 2004

1. Melesende was deposed 1152. Unknown GEDCOM info: MH:N84 Unknown GEDCOM info: 77B930D5-A0BA-41E2-82E8-E3B7226B9853

Her father had been King of Jerusalem.

FulketMelisende
h t t p : / / t r e e s . a n c e s t r y . c o m / r d ? f = i m a g e&guid=c7fbe857-7b41-47ed-923e-d656bf2ea7fc&tid=312040&pid=-1956543006

melisende
h t t p : / / t r e e s . a n c e s t r y . c o m / r d ? f = i m a g e&guid=b235093d-d269-42b4-a87d-baf7c97735cc&tid=312040&pid=-1956543006

Heeft u aanvullingen, correcties of vragen met betrekking tot Melisende "Melisende de Rethel" de Rethel?
De auteur van deze publicatie hoort het graag van u!

Tijdbalk Melisende "Melisende de Rethel" de Rethel

Klik op de namen voor meer informatie. Gebruikte symbolen:  grootouders    ouders    broers/zussen    kinderen