Crusader+States

This will be another large page, with this one dealing with all four of the Crusader states which emerged after the conquest of Jerusalem. It will have to cover the consolidation of power in Jerusalem, Antioch, Edessa and Tripoli, whilst also discussing how these four states may be connected.

Introduction
 * __PLAN__**

Introduction - **Mitchell** Consolidation of power Development
 * Edessa**

Introduction Consolidation of power Development
 * Antioch**

Introduction Consolidation of power Development
 * Jerusalem**

Introduction Consolidation of power Development
 * Tripoli**

During the crusades, the Christian force gained many principalities in Eastern Europe and Asia Minor. These became known as the crusader states. The first four crusader states were created in the Levant, (East Mediterranean) they were, Edessa in 1098, Antioch in 1098, Jerusalem in 1099 and Tripoli in 1104. Over time, these principalities became unstable and it was down to the Christians to ensure that they remained under their control.

__Edessa__ Edessa was a city of great strategic importance, as it was near to many other powerful areas in Asia Minor, allowing raids into other valuable areas. It was however, always an extremely vulnerable area, and can easily be captured and with the addition of pressure from the East made it a very difficult area to be kept under Christian control. However, the Crusaders utilised the Muslim disunity and depended on alliances between the Crusading princes and the Armenian neighbours to ensure security for Edessa. As is common with all Christian principalities, succession was a problem as various Crusaders and family members battled to gain control of this valuable state. In 1098, Baldwin of Boulogne left the main crusading party to Edessa. There he convinced its current lord, Thoros, to adopt him as his only son and heir to the Edessa throne, due to the growing problems between Greek Orthodox Thoros and his Armenian Orthodox subjects. Following, his assassination or abdication, Baldwin became Count of Edessa. He remained as ruler until 1100, when he became King of Jerusalem, allowing the County of Edessa to pass to his cousin Baldwin of Bouruc, who would later become Baldwin II, King of Jerusalem. **[MC]**


 * __Consolidation of power.__**

When Baldwin moved south to become king of Jerusalem in 1100 the county pased to Baldwin of Bourcq who was joined by Joscelin of Courtenay. The Frankish lords formed good relations with their Armenian subjects, and there were frequent intermarriages; the first three counts all married Armenians to help with the consolidation of power. Conflicts with Muslim neighbours began almoast immediatly resulting in both Baldwin and Joscelin being taken prisoner when they were defeated at the Battle of Harran. Tancred moved in from Antioch and attempted to take control of Edessa. Tancred was eventually defeated, though Baldwin (having been ransomed) had to ally with some of the local Muslim rulers. Edessa remaind weak and never truely managed to consolidate its hold upon the region due to its exposed position surrounded by Muslim countries.[EF]


 * __Development__**

During the two years of power that Baldwin I enjoyed in Edessa, he managed to capture Samosata and Seruj from the Muslims and acted as an ambassador between the Crusaders and the Armenians. By marrying Arda, the daughter of Thoros I of Armenia, the consolidation of power in Edessa and the subsequent develpment of Edessa was greatly helped as it showed good relations between the Crusaders and the Armenians for the future. It wasn't until after the First Crusade that the county of Edessa really became under threat, when it was invaded once more by the Muslims, prompting the Second Crusade.[AC]

The siege of Antioch was the longest siege of the entire Crusade, lasting from October 1097 until its final capture in June 1098. As well as taking the longest to siege, Antioch was also the city before which the Crusading army came closest to annihilation. Once during the siege and once afterwards the Crusaders had to defeat large Muslim armies. The second, led by Kerbogha, posed perhaps the largest single threat to the Crusade on the entire campaign, although it was in the end comprehensively crushed. Antioch itself was a city of enormous strategic importance. It had formidable defences, in particular its enormous walls, and was also one of the five Christian patriarchs. Because of its prestige a potentially Crusade-crippling rivalry built up between Bohemond and Raymond of Toulouse about who would rule it. Ultimately Bohemond won and he became the first ruler of the Crusader state of Antioch (NH)
 * __Antioch__**
 * __Introduction__**

Much to Raymond's disappointment, Antioch came under the rule and protection of Bohemond after the siege. However, his position was not secure as Alexius had his eyes on this ancient city and he needed to stay in the city to consolidate his power. However, Bohemond eventually left for Jerusalem after hearing the sucesses Raymond was having on his journey down. After the siege of Antioch, there are few recorded problems. Most of the problems were over the ownership of Antioch. Bohemond did try to team up with Daimbert to take Latakia and this would would have strengethened the power of Bohemond in antioch and the safety of antioch. However, in 1103, Bohemond was captured whilst raiding in the North. Antioch was left to his nephew tancred. [JT]
 * __Consolidation of power.__**

__**Development**__ As is well known, Bohemond's rule of the principality of Antioch was one of much confusion and change. Bohemond was given the title, 'The Prince of Antioch' and was left behind by the other princes to rule, as they pursued the goal of Jerusalem. But his rule of this principality was not enough, instead, he decided to go and try to capture more land to the north of Antioch; the territory of the Danishmends. He was captured by the Damishmend; Emir. Antioch was saved thanks to the swift intervention by Baldwin of Edessa. Then Tancred exchanged his role as that of Lord of Tiberias for the temporary rule of the Antiochene principality. The region of Antioch was not expanded much due to the capture of Bohemond, but did remain a Latin, Christian city for more than a century after its capture.[JJEW]

__Jerusalem__