Heraclius in Europe

So Heraclius of Jerusalem set off for Europe to find support for the Latin kingdoms in the Holy Land and perhaps a husband for Queen Sibylla of Jerusalem. (She already had a husband, Guy of Lusignan, but many wanted him replaced.)

With him went others to lend weight to his requests. The ninth Grandmaster of the Knights Templar, Arnold of Torroja, was one. Arnold was in his 70s at the time, and was known as a great mediator, having conducted successful negotiations with Saladin and with the Knights Hospitaller, who were becoming more powerful and popular and whom the Templars considered rivals.

In fact, that rival, Grandmaster of the Knights Hospitaller Roger de Moulins, also went along. They had buried their differences in meetings with King Baldwin IV and Pope Lucius III. Roger had urged Baldwin and others to continue warring on Saladin. He also went along to establish the Hospitaller Order in England, France, and Germany.

Heraclius also took with him some significant tokens of his authority to speak on behalf of the Kingdom of Jerusalem. He took the keys to the city of Jerusalem and to the Holy Sepulchre and to the Tower of David, a palace complex.

The first stop was Italy. While there, Arnold fell ill. He died in Verona on 30 September, 1184. (He was succeeded by Gerard of Ridefort as grandmaster, but Ridefort did not join Heraclius.)

In England they had several meetings with King Henry II (depicted above by a 20th century artist, Stephen Reid). Heraclius consecrated the Temple Church built by the Templars in 1185, as well as the new Hospitaller priory and hospital at Clerkenwell. Henry agreed to go with the group to France to have further meetings with King Philip II. The two kings agreed to send money and soldiers to the Holy land. Heraclius had been hoping to have one of the kings or a prince to go as well. Henry had actually vowed to go on Crusade years earlier after the death of Thomas Becket, but had never gone. Heraclius reminded him of his broken vow and criticized him for it.

Heraclius returned to Jerusalem in late 1185, finding Baldwin IV dead and his nephew in place as Baldwin V. The boy was five, so a regent was needed. Heraclius never found another husband for Sibylla, but the issue was resolved by Sibylla herself in a way that no one liked but could not fight.

I'd like to take a side turn now to the rivalry between the Hospitallers and Templars and talk about the resolution between them. See you tomorrow.