The title of King of Jerusalem carries with it a rich and captivating history that spans centuries and reflects the complexities of the Crusades, religious fervor, and political intrigue. In this blog post, we will delve into the origins of the title and explore the different kings who held this prestigious position throughout history.
Kingdom of Jerusalem
The title of King of Jerusalem emerged during the medieval period, specifically during the era of the Crusades. The First Crusade, which began in 1096, aimed to recapture Jerusalem and the Holy Land from Muslim rule. After the successful capture of Jerusalem in 1099, the Crusaders established the Kingdom of Jerusalem, marking the beginning of the title’s association with the region.
The title of King or Queen of Jerusalem held immense significance as the supreme ruler of the Kingdom of Jerusalem, a Crusader state established in 1099 after the successful conquest of the city during the First Crusade. This title was primarily held by men, although there were five remarkable queens who either ruled in their own right or alongside their husbands.
Godfrey of Bouillon, the inaugural leader of the Kingdom of Jerusalem, opted for the title Advocatus Sancti Sepulchri (Advocate or Defender of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre) instead of King. It was Baldwin I, Godfrey’s successor, who became the first ruler to be crowned as king in 1100.
Following Godfrey’s passing, his brother Baldwin I adopted the title of king and was crowned in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, marking a pivotal moment in the kingdom’s history. The kingship of Jerusalem had both elective and hereditary elements, with a royal family and a defined line of succession during the kingdom’s peak in the mid-12th century.
The king of Jerusalem held feudal domains incorporated into the royal domain and was tasked with leading the kingdom into battle. However, power struggles among the nobles often resulted in the king ceding authority, particularly during regencies due to the youth of many kings.
After Jerusalem fell in 1187, the kingdom’s capital shifted to Acre until its ultimate demise in 1291. During this period, the kingship of Jerusalem became largely nominal, with European rulers holding the title without residing in Acre.
The Lusignan family, also kings of Cyprus, took over the kingship, but their authority waned over time. Charles I of Sicily purchased rights to the kingdom, leading to a series of shifts in rulership and power dynamics. Acre’s capture by the Mamluks in 1291 marked the end of the Crusader’s presence on the mainland and signaled the conclusion of the kingdom’s reign.
Throughout this tumultuous period, the kings and queens of Jerusalem left an indelible mark on history, shaping the narrative of the Crusader era and the enduring legacy of Jerusalem as a symbol of religious fervor and political intrigue.
King of Jerusalem: List
Godfrey of Bouillon (1099-1100): Godfrey, a French nobleman and one of the leaders of the First Crusade, was elected as the first ruler of the newly established Kingdom of Jerusalem. He declined the title of king and instead chose the title “Defender of the Holy Sepulchre.”
Baldwin I (1100-1118): Baldwin, Godfrey’s brother, succeeded him as the second ruler and officially took the title of King of Jerusalem. He played a crucial role in consolidating and expanding the kingdom’s territory during his reign.
Baldwin II (1118-1131): Baldwin II, the nephew of Baldwin I, continued his predecessor’s efforts in solidifying the kingdom’s position. He faced various challenges, including conflicts with Muslim forces and internal struggles for power.
Fulk of Anjou (1131-1143): Fulk, a prominent French nobleman, became the fourth king of Jerusalem through his marriage to Melisende, Baldwin II’s daughter. His reign saw both successes and setbacks in the kingdom’s relations with neighboring powers.
Baldwin III (1143-1163): Baldwin III, the son of Fulk and Melisende, ascended to the throne at a young age. Despite his youth, he proved to be a capable ruler and worked to strengthen Jerusalem’s alliances and defenses.
Amalric I (1163-1174): Amalric I, Baldwin III’s son, faced significant challenges during his reign, including conflicts with Muslim forces led by figures like Saladin. Despite these challenges, he made efforts to improve the kingdom’s infrastructure and economy.
Baldwin IV (1174-1185): Baldwin IV, known for his bravery and determination despite suffering from leprosy, became king at a tumultuous time. His reign saw continued conflicts with Saladin’s forces and internal power struggles within the kingdom.
Guy of Lusignan (1186-1192): Guy, the husband of Baldwin IV’s sister Sibylla, became king following Baldwin’s death. His reign was marked by the Battle of Hattin, a significant defeat for the Crusaders, and the subsequent loss of Jerusalem to Saladin in 1187.
Conrad of Montferrat (1192-1192): Conrad briefly held the title of King of Jerusalem in 1192 before his assassination, which led to political instability and rival claims to the throne.
Henry II of Champagne (1192-1197): Henry, the nephew of Conrad, succeeded him as king and attempted to negotiate with Saladin for the return of Jerusalem. However, he faced challenges from rival factions within the kingdom.
Amalric II (1197-1205): Amalric II, the son of Isabella I (sister of Baldwin IV), became king after Henry II’s death. His reign was characterized by ongoing conflicts and struggles to regain lost territories.
Isabella II (1212-1228): Isabella II, the daughter of Maria, daughter of Amalric II, and her husband John of Brienne, briefly held the title of Queen of Jerusalem. However, her reign was overshadowed by political turmoil and the looming threat of Muslim forces.
These are just some of the notable kings and queens who held the title of King/Queen of Jerusalem during the Crusades and the subsequent periods of rule in the region. Their legacies and contributions, along with the challenges they faced, continue to shape the historical narrative of Jerusalem and its significance in medieval history.
Related: What Did the Crusaders Eat?
