Agnes of Courtenay (c.1136-c. 1184) was the daughter of Joscelin II of Courtenay, and the mother of king Baldwin IV of Jerusalem and queen Sibylla of Jerusalem. Events Completion of the Saint Denis Basilica in Paris Peter Abelard writes the Historia Calamitatum, detailing his relationship with Heloise Births William of Newburgh, British historian and author of the Historia rerum Anglicarum Deaths November 15 - Leopold III of Austria, Patron saint of Austria Categories: 1136 ... Events Abbeville receives its commercial charter. ... Joscelin II of Edessa (died 1159) was the fourth and last ruling count of Edessa. ... Baldwin IV (1161 – 1185), the son of Amalric I of Jerusalem and his first wife Agnes of Courtenay, was king of Jerusalem from 1174 to 1185. ... Sibylla of Jerusalem (c. ...

Dynasty

The Courtenay family ruled the County of Edessa, the furthest north of the Crusader states. Joscelin I of Courtenay, an ally of Baldwin II of Jerusalem, was awarded the fiefdom in 1118. Joscelin II inherited Edessa and Turbessel in 1131 on the death of his father, and desperately tried to defend his extensive borders. The County of Edessa was one of the Crusader states in the 12th century, based around a city with an ancient history and an early tradition of Christianity (see Edessa). ... The Crusader states, c. ... Joscelin of Courtenay or Joscelin I ruled over the County of Edessa during its zenith, from 1118 to 1131. ... Baldwin of Bourcq (died August 21, 1131) was the second count of Edessa from 1100 to 1118, and the third king of Jerusalem from 1118 until his death. ... Edessa is the historical name of a town in northern Mesopotamia. ... Tilbeşar (Arabic Tall Bāshir, Turbessel (Frankish)) is a city in south-eastern Turkey. ... Events May 9 - Tintern Abbey is founded. ...

Agnes grew up in the citadel during her early years. However, her world changed when Edessa was captured by Zengi in 1144. Her father moved the family to the fortress of Turbessel for safety. Attempting to regain Edessa, Joscelin was captured and imprisoned in 1150. On hearing of Joscelin's capture, the Countess of Edessa, unable to secure Turbessel herself, sold the remnant of their domains to the Byzantine Empire and took her children to Jerusalem in 1150. Byzantium lost Turbessel later that year. The Siege of Edessa took place from November 28 to December 24, 1144, resulting in the fall of the majority of the crusader County of Edessa to Zengi, the atabeg of Mosul. ... Imad ad-Din Zengi (also Zangi or Zengui) (1087- September 1146) was the son of Aq Sunqur al-Hajib, governor of Aleppo under Malik Shah I. His father was beheaded for treason in 1094, and Zengi was brought up by Karbuqa, the governor of Mosul. ... Events Louis VII capitulates to Pope Celestine II and so earns the popes absolution Pope Celestine II is succeeded by Pope Lucius II December 24 - Edessa falls to Zengi Montauban, France, is founded First recorded example of an anti-Semitic blood libel in England Normandy comes under Angevin control... Events Åhus, Sweden gains city privileges City of Airdrie, Scotland founded King Sverker I of Sweden is deposed and succeeded by Eric IX of Sweden. ... The Byzantine Empire is the term conventionally used to describe the Greek-speaking Roman Empire during the Middle Ages, centred at its capital in Constantinople. ... Jerusalem (31°46′ N 35°14′ E; Hebrew: יְרוּשָׁלַיִם Yerushalayim; Arabic: القدس al-Quds; see also names of Jerusalem) is an ancient Middle Eastern city of key importance to the religions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. ...

With the proceeds from the sale of Trubessel, the Courtenay family was able to secure themselves in Jerusalem and offer patronage and earn their position at court. During the "civil war" of 1153, when Baldwin III rebelled against the government of his mother Melisende, the Courtenay family may have been amongst the other nobles who sought refuge in the Tower of David. Events January 6 - Henry of Anjou arrives in England. ... Baldwin III (1130-1162) was king of Jerusalem from 1143-1162. ... A queen accepting fealty from a vassel, possibly Melisende herself, from the Melisende Psalter Melisende (1105 - September 11, 1161) was Queen of Jerusalem from 1131 to 1153. ... Tower of David Migdal David in Jerusalem as it appears today The Tower of David is Jerusalems citadel, it is a historical and archaeological site of world importance. ...

As a senior member of the Courtenay family, Agnes was a most eligible heiress in her own right. Her first arranged marriage was to Reynald of Marash, who later died. Then she was betrothed to Hugh of Ibelin, but he was captured in battle and the marriage never took place. Then, a love match seems to have developed between her and Amalric, the Heir Apparent and Count of Jaffa and Ascalon. The couple wed in 1157, clearly with the support of queen Melisende and King Baldwin III, for without their support the wedding would not have taken place. In 1159 her father died. Hugh of Ibelin (died c. ... Amalric I (also Amaury or Aimery) (1136 – July 11, 1174) was King of Jerusalem 1162–1174, and Count of Jaffa and Ascalon before his accession. ... Contrasting with heir presumptive, an heir apparent is one who cannot be prevented from inheriting by the birth of any other person. ... The double County of Jaffa and Ascalon was one of the four major seigneuries of the Kingdom of Jerusalem, according to 13th-century commentator John of Ibelin. ... Events Births 8 September - Richard I of England Deaths August 21 - Alfonso VII, king of Castile (b. ... Events Heiji Rebellion in Tunis is conquered by the Almohad caliphs. ...

Agnes bore Amalric two children, first Sibylla (b.c. 1160) and then Baldwin IV (b. 1161). For the next six years Agnes and Amalric made their home in the court of Queen Melisende, who acted as regent for her son Baldwin III while he was on campaign.

Royal annulment

Melisende suffered a stroke in 1161 and died in Nablus. Baldwin III died unexpectedly in 1162, leaving Amalric as king. These events placed Agnes' marriage in jeopardy. Agnes was an easy target as she held no political value. Edessa was firmly in enemy hands and she could offer no diplomatic cache. Additionally, she had made enemies at court. The chronicle of Ernoul hints at a perceived slight on her moral character with "car telle n'est que roine doie iest di si haute cite comme de Jherusalem". Events Bartholomew Iscanus becomes Bishop of Exeter. ... Nāblus (sometimes Nābulus; Arabic: نابلس; pronounced Naablus) ( Hebrew שכם pronounced Shkhem ); 32°13′ N 35°16′ E) is a major city in the West Bank and, with a population of over 100,000, is one of the largest Palestinian population centers in the Middle East. ... // Events June 3 - Thomas Becket consecrated as Archbishop of Canterbury. ... Ernoul is the name generally given to the author of a chronicle of the late 12th century dealing with the fall of the crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem. ...

The leading members of the Haute Cour refused to endorse Amalric as king unless he annulled his marriage to Agnes. To this he agreed. As Amalric and Agnes negotiated with the Latin Church for the annulment, it was ruled that their children, Baldwin and Sibylla, were indeed legitimate and legal heirs to the throne. Additionally, Agnes would retain her marriage title of Countess of Jaffa and Ascalon, along with a portion of the income of these fiefs. Once the negotiations were complete, their marriage was annulled on grounds of consanguinity. Amalric later make a lucrative political alliance with Byzantium by marring princess Maria Comnena, great-grandniece to emperor Manuel I Comnenus. The Haute Cour (High Court) was the feudal council of the Kingdom of Jerusalem. ... Consanguinity, literally meaning common blood, describes a family relationship between two individuals. ... Maria Comnena (c. ... Fresco of Manuel I Manuel I Comnenus Megas (November 28, 1118? - September 24, 1180) was Byzantine Emperor from 1143 to 1180. ...

Almeric I's reign

Though her position was secured, Agnes was unable to raise her own children. Baldwin IV was being raised by William of Tyre at court, and Sibylla was raised by her great-aunt Ioveta of Bethany at the convent of St. Lazarus. As Countess of Jaffa and Ascalon, along with an income, Agnes was able to maintain her position as a leading noble of the realm, offering patronage. Her clients included Almaric of Lusignan, who she would promote as her personal constable. She married Hugh of Ibelin in 1163, to whom she had been betrothed previously. After Hugh's death in 1170 Agnes married Reynald of Sidon. Despite her position and income, Agnes would have little influence at court where her ex-husband's wife, Queen Maria Comnena, held sway. William of Tyre (c. ... Ioveta (1120-c. ... Lazarus raised from the grave by Jesus, painting by the Swedish artist Karl Isakson (c. ... Amalric II (1145–April 1, 1205), King of Jerusalem 1197–1205, was the brother of Guy of Lusignan. ... Hugh of Ibelin (died c. ... Events Owain Gwynedd is recognized as ruler of Wales. ... Events December 29: Assassination of Thomas Beckett, Archbishop of Canterbury, in Canterbury cathedral Eleanor of Aquitaine leaves the court of Henry II because of a string of infidelities. ...

Baldwin IV's reign

When her son Baldwin IV came to the throne Countess Agnes was able to exert more influence. As the king's mother she was invited back to court, and as her son was not married, she was able to take the role of "queen mother". The dowager-queen Maria Comnena, having no role at court, retired to Nablus. During these years Agnes became closer to both of her children, as Sibylla was also brought to court. However, Agnes was unable to prevent the regent Raymond III of Tripoli from having her daughter Sibylla married to William of Montferrat in 1176. Additionally, as regent, Raymond stripped Agnes of Jaffa and Ascalon and created William Count of those fiefs. Raymond III of Tripoli (c. ... William of Montferrat (early 1140s-1177), also called William Longsword (but not related to the other men of the same name), was the eldest son of William III, marquess of Montferrat and Julitta or Judith of Austria. ... Events May 22 - Murder attempt by the Hashshashin on Saladin near Aleppo Raynald of Chatillon released from prison in Aleppo May 29 - Frederick Barbarossa is defeated in the Battle of Legnano by the Lombard League leading to the pactum Anagninum (the Agreement of Anagni) September 17 - Seljuk Turks defeat Manuel...

Later in 1176 a potential political crisis developed. As Baldwin IV was a minor, Raymond of Tripoli led the regency government. Philip of Flanders arrived that year and demanded to be named regent, as the king's nearest male relative actually in the kingdom, and to have the princesses Sibylla (by this time widowed) and Isabella wed to his own vassals. Philip of Alsace was count of Flanders from 1168 to 1191. ... Isabella of Jerusalem (c. ...

The Haute Cour, led by Baldwin of Ibelin, rebuffed Philip's demands. To foil Philip's claim to the regency, the Haute Cour declared that Baldwin IV had now reached his majority. This meant Raymond III had to step down as regent. With her son exercising full royal prerogatives, Agnes' influence rapidly grew. Baldwin of Ibelin, also known as Baldwin of Ramla (died c. ...

The countess Agnes emerged as one of the leaders at court, which was becoming more polarized. She had her brother, Joscelin III, the titular Count of Edessa, released from captivity and appointed seneschal of Jerusalem. Additionally, she had Amalric of Lusignan appointed as constable of the kingdom in 1179. In 1180 she influenced the election of Heraclius as Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, over his rival William of Tyre. Joscelin III of Edessa (d. ... There were six major officers of the Kingdom of Jerusalem: constable, marshal, seneschal, chamberlain, butler, and chancellor. ... Events Third Council of the Lateran condemned Waldensians and Cathars as heretics, institutes a reformation of clerical life, and creates the first ghettos for Jews Afonso I is recognized as the true King of Portugal by Portugal the protection of the Catholic Church against the Castillian monarchy Philip II is... Events April 13 - Frederick Barbarossa issues the Gelnhausen Charter November 18 - France Emperor Antoku succeds Emperor Takakura as emperor of Japan Afonso I of Portugal is taken prisoner by Ferdinand II of Leon Artois is annexed by France Prince Mochihito amasses a large army and instigates the Genpei War between... Heraclius of Caesarea (died 1191) was archbishop of Caesarea and Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem. ... The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem is one of the Roman Catholic patriarchs of the east. ...

Political marriages

At Easter of 1180, Raymond III of Tripoli and Bohemund III of Antioch entered the kingdom to exert pressure on what they perceived to be a weakened monarchy. One of their goals was to have the princess Sibylla, the Heir Apparent, wedded to someone of their choosing. Easter is the most important religious holiday of the Christian liturgical year, observed in March, April, or May to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus from the dead after his death by crucifixion (see Good Friday), which Christians believe happened at about this time of year around AD 30-33. ... Bohemund III of Antioch (1144-1201), also know as the Stammerer, was ruler of the principality of Antioch (a crusader state) from 1163 to his death. ... Contrasting with heir presumptive, an heir apparent is one who cannot be prevented from inheriting by the birth of any other person. ...

Sibylla had remained widowed since 1177. This might be because a love-match developed between Sibylla and Baldwin of Ibelin. According to the chronicler Ernoul, Sibylla and Baldwin were courting, and when Baldwin was captured by Saladin in 1179, they exchanged letters during his imprisonment. Ernoul wrote that Sibylla herself proposed to Baldwin in a letter, with the wedding after his release. Saladin had raised Baldwin's ransom to a great sum, but surprisingly released him with the promise to pay later. Honor-bound to pay the debt, Baldwin left for Constantinople where he received a grant from the Emperor Manuel. Baldwin was still in Constantinople when Raymond and Bohemund threatened to take over the government and force Sibylla's marriage. Agnes, not wishing her daughter married into the rival nobles' faction, arranged to have Sibylla marry her own client, Guy of Lusignan. Events November 25 - Baldwin IV of Jerusalem and Raynald of Chatillon defeat Saladin at the Battle of Montgisard. ... This article is about the Muslim general; for the British armoured vehicle named after him, see Alvis Saladin. ... Events Third Council of the Lateran condemned Waldensians and Cathars as heretics, institutes a reformation of clerical life, and creates the first ghettos for Jews Afonso I is recognized as the true King of Portugal by Portugal the protection of the Catholic Church against the Castillian monarchy Philip II is... Map of Constantinople. ... Guy of Lusignan (died 1194) was a French knight who, through marriage, became king-consort of Jerusalem, and led the kingdom to disaster at the Battle of Hattin in 1187. ...

In 1182 King Baldwin appointed Guy of Lusignan as his regent, as Baldwin was suffering from leprosy. Guy abused his authority and ignored Raynald of Chatillon's harassment of Muslim trade caravans, causing a diplomatic crisis between Jerusalem and Egypt-Syria. Guy's favoritism over Raynald and the friction he caused at court caused King Baldwin to depose Guy as regent and lift Saladin's siege of Kerak, which was hosting the arranged marriage of princess Isabella and Humphrey IV of Toron. Events Canute VI crowned king of Denmark Serbia allies itself with Hungary to gain independence First Sejm, or Polish Parliment, convenes at Łęczyca Jews expelled from Paris by Philip Augustus Maronites reestablish their affiliation with Catholicism Venetians massacred during a riot in Constantinople Raynald of Chatillon instigates another war between... Father Damien was a Roman Catholic missionary who helped lepers on Hawaii and also died of the disease. ... Raynald of Châtillon (also Reynald or Reginald of Chastillon) (c. ... Caravans comprise land-based trading convoys, often utilising the camel as a beast of burden, and generally associated with crossing deserts in Asia or Africa. ... Kerak was a Crusader castle in the Kingdom of Jerusalem, now located in Jordan. ... Humphrey IV of Toron (c. ...

Retirement and Death

Throughout 1184 King Baldwin tried to free his sister of her marriage but was unsuccessful, as Guy was defying royal orders and was held up in Ascalon. King Baldwin was forced to take drastic action. The king and the factional leaders agreed to a solution advanced by Agnes of Courtenay. Elderly Agnes, herself disgruntled with Guy's behavior, was willing to reach an accord with her one-time rivals. The agreement would place Baldwin V, Sibylla's infant son from her first marriage, on the throne over Sibylla herself, with Raymond III of Tripoli as regent. If the infant Baldwin V were to expire, a council was to convene to determine the next monarch: Sibylla or Isabella. Additionally, a clause also allowed for the rulers of England, France, and Germany to have a say in the next monarch. Later in 1184, King Baldwin gave Toron to his mother Agnes, previously stripped of her titles by Raymond of Tripoli. Events Abbeville receives its commercial charter. ... Ashkelon or Ashqelon (Hebrew אשקלון; Arabic عسقلان ʿAsqalān; Latin Ascalon) was an ancient Philistine seaport on the east coast of the Mediterranian sea just north of Gaza. ... Baldwin V (1177 – 1186) was the son of Sibylla of Jerusalem and her first husband, William of Montferrat. ... Royal motto: Dieu et mon droit (French: God and my right) Englands location within the UK Official language English de facto Capital London de facto Largest city London Area - Total Ranked 1st UK 130,395 km² Population - Total (mid-2004) - Density Ranked 1st UK 50. ... Toron, Tibnin today, was a major Crusader castle, built in the mountains on the road from Tyre to Damascus. ...

Agnes died at her estates in Acre, sometime in 1184. Baldwin IV himself expired by early 1185, leaving Sibylla's son as king and Raymond as regent. Baldwin V, never a healthy child, died by early 1186, ultimately leaving Sibylla as Queen and Guy as her consort. The Old City of Akko in the 19th or early 20th century, looking south-west from atop the Land Wall Promenade, the open space now a parking lot. ... Events April 25 - Genpei War - Sea Battle of Dan-no-ura leads to Minamoto victory in Japan Templars settle in London and begin the building of New Temple Church End of the Heian Period and beginning of the Kamakura period in Japan. ... Events John the Chanter becomes Bishop of Exeter. ...

A different Agnes of Courtenay was the daughter of Peter of Courtenay, Latin emperor, and Yolanda of Flanders. She married Geoffrey II Villhardouin, prince of Achaea, in 1217. Peter of Courtenay (d. ... The Latin Empire, Empire of Nicaea, Empire of Trebizond and the Despotate of Epirus. ... Yolanda of Flanders (d. ... The Principality of Achaea was one of the three vassal states of the Latin Empire which replaced the Byzantine Empire after the capture of Constantinople during the Fourth Crusade. ... Events April 9 - Peter of Courtenay crowned emperor of the Latin Empire of Constantinople at Rome, by Pope Honorius III May 20 - First Barons War, royalist victory at Lincoln. ...