Aimery and Henry

So we have Henry II of Champagne, elevated to the position of King of Jerusalem even if he doesn't use the title, and Aimery of Lusignan, who King of Cyprus after he needed to flee the mainland when he was discovered by Henry to be part of a plot to turn one of Henry's cities over to Guy of Lusignan, Aimery's brother who had been effectively exiled to Cyprus because he wanted to (illegally) retain the title of King of Jerusalem himself.

The Kingdom of Jerusalem had made a peace treaty with the Ayubbid Dynasty of Saladin, but that expired in 1996 and the danger of renewed Muslim attacks was a grave concern for Henry. Cyprus, that had been captured by Richard I of England on his way to the Third Crusade and there Siege of Acre, was becoming formally a Christian kingdom under changes made by Aimery.

The nobles of the mainland understood that an alliance between the former rivals Henry and Aimery was necessary for aid in the potential conflicts to come. Aimery's wife Eschiva was from the Ibelin clan, a prominent family in Jerusalem, and many of the nobles in Jerusalem held land on Cyprus.

Henry sailed to Cyprus in 1197 and formed a promise of mutual aid against enemies. The town of Jaffa had been taken from Aimery when he was forced to leave Jerusalem, and now it was restored as dowry for the future marriages. Even more profound for the future, the three daughters of Henry were promised to the three sons of Aimery. In November of that year, Aimery was using his former Jerusalem title of constable (even though by that time he had been crowned as King of Cyprus).

While negotiating, the Ayubbids did attack. Aimery sent his representative to Jaffa to organize defense. Henry returned to the mainland to organize his men at Acre. Somehow, some way, on 10 September Henry fell out of a window from his royal palace at Acre (illustration). He died.

His death was a blow to the kingdom; he had been a capable and tolerant ruler, and had brought revenue from Champagne to the defense of the kingdom. He was mourned, but the immediate question was raised:

Who should become King of Jerusalem by marriage to Queen Isabella, so that a man would be in charge? Isabella had already had three husbands—not always by her choice. Should she accept another? The immediate suggestion was the palace seneschal, Ralph of Saint-Omer.

Ralph, however, was not wealthy or prestigious enough to satisfy the nobles. Who, then? I'll tell you tomorrow, of course.