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Melisende

The Frankish Queen Melisende (c. 1105–1161) was the first queen of the Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem. She reigned over Jerusalem for more than 30 years, as regent queen and in joint rule with her husband, Count Fulk of Anjou, and her son. What makes Melisende unique is that, unlike the queens who followed, she was a "true" queen who insisted upon and wielded political power, rather than acting merely as a pawn and transmitter of royal blood.

Background

Although this marriage was a political alliance, typical of most royal marriages of this time, it differed in one respect—Melisende was "crowned on an equal basis with her husband . . . and given an equal share of the power," noted Jennifer Edie in "Melisende: A True Queen," a paper published in the Loyola University Student Historical Journal. It was noted in "Melisende, Queen of Jerusalem," on the Questia website, that Baldwin II of Jerusalem's public recognition of both Melisende and Fulk as joint heirs "suggests his confidence in his eldest daughter's capacity to rule."

Baldwin's trust in his daughter seems to have shaped Melisende's sense of self–confidence and expectations. Even before her father's death, Edie noted, Melisende signed charters with the title "filia regis et regni Hierosolimitani haeres" (daughter of the King and heir to the kingdom of Jerusalem). "These strong words show a strength and belief in her own power that would be necessary to rule her kingdom throughout her lifetime," Edie wrote.

Asserted Her Powers

In its early years, the reign of Melisende and Fulk was disrupted by quarrels and turmoil. This was mainly because King Fulk ignored Queen Melisende and tried to prevent her from wielding any power. "A period of five years elapsed without Fulk's associating Melisende's name with his in any public act. By eliminating Melisende from her share in governing the kingdom, Fulk kept her from being able to exercise the patronage necessary to maintain and to increase her own group of loyal supporters," the Questia website noted. Finally, Melisende challenged her husband and a power struggle ensued. The queen's forces prevailed, and she assumed her full share of power. The Women in World History website noted, "She insisted on strong peace–terms, which included her admission to the inner councils of the kingdom." After this, "Fulk did not make a move without first seeking Melisende's knowledge or assistance," Edie noted, based on an account written by William of Tyre, principal historian for the Latin kingdom.

Reinvented the Role of Queen

After her husband died in 1143, Queen Melisende became the sole ruler of the kingdom. Edie quoted William of Tyre, "the royal power passed to the Lady Melisende, a queen beloved of God, to whom it belonged by hereditary right." She was anointed alongside her son, Baldwin III, who was 13 at the time. For the first time, Jerusalem was being governed by a queen. According to Edie, Melisende was given these words of advice from a friend, Bernard of Clairvaux: "Now that your husband and king is dead, and the young king as yet unfit to discharge the affairs of state and fulfill the duty of a king, the eyes of all will be on you and the entire burden of the kingdom will fall on you alone. You must set your hand to great things and, although a woman you must act as a man by doing everything you have to do 'in a spirit prudent and strong.' You must arrange all things prudently and discreetly so that all may judge you from your actions to be a king rather than a queen." Bernard's counsel, although supportive of Melisende, reflected the patriarchal beliefs of the Middle Ages.

Melisende proved to be a strong and competent administrator. In Edie's account, William of Tyre gives a "glorious review" of her rule: "Melisende, the king's mother, was a woman of great wisdom . . . She had risen so far above the normal status of women that she dared to undertake important measures. It was her ambition to emulate the magnificence of the greatest and noblest princes and to show herself in no wise inferior to them. Since her son was as yet under age, she ruled the kingdom and administered the government with such skillful care that she may be said to truly have equaled her ancestors in that respect. As long as her son was willing to be governed by her counsel, the people enjoyed a highly desirable state of tranquility, and the affairs of the realm moved on prosperously."

Fought Son to Retain Power

Melisende continued to rule as Baldwin's age of majority—15—came and went without acknowledgement from his mother. It appears that Melisende had no intention of giving up the throne to her son. The Women in World History website noted, "Melisende ignored the date, easing him out of every place of influence, omitting his name from public acts." In 1151, Baldwin's 21st year, he challenged Melisende for his share of the kingdom, pressured by the nobles who supported him. "They continually fanned the flame . . . and constantly urged that he remove his mother from the control of the kingdom. Now that he had reached years of maturity, they say, it was not fitting that he should be ruled by the will of a woman. He ought to assume some of the responsibility of governing the realm himself," wrote William of Tyre, in Edie's account.

Following his coronation, King Baldwin III demanded that the high court split the realm in two. This was done. The king now controlled Tyre and Acre, and Melisende retained control of Jerusalem and Nablus. Peace returned, but was short–lived. The same advisors who had incited Baldwin early now urged Baldwin to seize the lands still held by Melisende. The king mounted an attack, overwhelmed his mother's army in Nablus, and advanced on Jerusalem, where Melisende had taken refuge in the Tower of David. The two armies battled "as if they were mortal enemies and it went on for days," wrote Edie. Finally, she added, mediators were able to persuade mother and son to make peace. Baldwin now controlled Jerusalem as well, leaving only Nablus in Melisende's hands. "In spite of their past disagreements," noted the Women in World History website, "mother and son were reconciled, and she remained one of his closest advisers until her death."

A True Queen

Under Melisende's 30–year queenship, Jerusalem flourished. She promoted the arts and undertook several building projects, including the markets of Jerusalem, renovating the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and founding a grand abbey in Bethany, where she placed her sister Yvetta as the mother superior of the convent. Melisende's reign ended in 1161 when she fell ill and died. William of Tyre wrote of this queen, "For thirty years or more during the lifetime of her husband and the reign of her son, Melisende had governed the kingdoms with strength surpassing that of most women. Her rule had been wise and judicious." Edie concluded, "Melisende was a true ruler and not simply a figure–head used to keep the blood line blue."

Online

Edie, Jennifer, "Melisende: A True Queen," Loyola University, www.loyno.edu/history/journal/1998-9/Edie.htm (December 3, 2004).

"Melisande," Hebrew University of Jerusalem Website, http://jeru.huji.ac.il/ef3.3htm (December 3, 2004).

"Melisende, Queen of Jerusalem," Questia, www/questia.com (December 3, 2004).

"Melisende Queen of Jerusalem," Women in World History, www.womeninworldhistory.com/heroine4.html (December 2, 2004).

"The Great Crusades: A Woman's Role," University of Michigan, www.umich.edu/~eng415/topics/women/women-article.html (December 3, 2004).