Melisende and Fulk, Part 1

Fulk of Anjou made sure that King of Jerusalem Baldwin II's choice of eldest daughter Melisende to succeed him was firm before he agreed to marry her. Once Baldwin died in August 1131, Melisende became Queen of Jerusalem in her own right (the first to be crowned so, although her mother Morphia was the actual first woman to be named "Queen of Jerusalem").

This allowed Fulk to be King of Jerusalem jure uxoris ("by right of [his] wife"). Once crowned, however, he started to rule by himself, leaving Melisende out of political affairs. He caused consternation from many quarters.

Fulk started appointing friends from Anjou into important roles, neglecting local nobles. The northern Crusader states feared that he would try to bring them under Jerusalem's control, but he did not have the sway that his father-in-law had in the area.

Melisende's sister Alice was married to Bohemond II of Antioch, who had died in 1130. She seized power and acted as regent for her infant daughter, Constance. In 1132 she made an alliance with two Crusader states, Tripoli and Edessa, and made plans to prevent Fulk from moving northward. There was one battle between Fulk and Tripoli, but they made peace and Alice was exiled.

Fulk was also opposed by the Christians in Jerusalem whose parents came from Europe but only knew the Holy Land. Hugh II of Jaffa, Melisende's cousin (their grandmothers were sisters), was a popular and charismatic figure. Although Hugh was devoted to Melisende, Fulk saw him as a potential rival for power in Jerusalem. Hugh argued against Fulk's exclusion of Melisende from royal duties.

Hugh brought several barons and other nobles together to challenge Fulk. They were defeated and Hugh was exiled— Fulk accused Hugh of having an inappropriate relationship with Melisende—but Melisende began to exercise some power in government affairs after that.

Hugh was to be exiled to Europe. Three days before he was to leave Jerusalem he was stabbed in the back while playing dice (see illustration). Fulk is suspected to have instigated an assassination attempt, but there was no proof. Hugh received and went to Europe, never returning.

Fulk's reputation soured, and he had to be careful in the future. Melisende was angry over the accusation of dishonor and Hugh's treatment. She still had support among the people and local nobles, and Fulk realized being king was not going to be as easy as he thought.

Things had to change, and I'll tell you about it tomorrow.