Melisende of Arsuf
Melisende (born before 1177) was the hereditary Lady of Arsuf from 1177 and the second wife of the powerful nobleman John of Ibelin, the lord of Beirut (1179–1236), who led the opposition to Emperor Frederick II when he tried to impose his authority in the Kingdom of Jerusalem and the Kingdom of Cyprus.
Melisende of Arsuf | |
|---|---|
| Lady of Arsuf and Beirut | |
 Arsuf fortress, in Israel, home of the Crusader Lords of Arsuf | |
| Born | before 1177 |
| Died | Unknown Holy Land |
| Spouse(s) | Thierry d'Orca John of Ibelin, the Old Lord of Beirut |
| Issue
Balian of Beirut John of Arsuf Raoul of Ibelin Hugh of Ibelin (died 1238) Baldwin of Ibelin, Seneschal of Cyprus Guy of Ibelin, constable of Cyprus Isabelle of Ibelin | |
| Father | Guy of Arsuf |
| Mother | Unknown |
Life and Marriages
She was born sometime before 1177, the eldest daughter of Guy of Arsuf. Her mother's name is unknown. She had a brother, Jean, Lord of Arsuf who married Helvis de Brie.[1] When Jean died childless, Melisende inherited the lordship of Arsuf.[1][2]
On an unknown date, Melisende married firstly Thierry d'Orca.[1] In 1207, she married secondly John of Ibelin, Lord of Beirut, former Constable of Jerusalem,[1] and Regent in Acre for his half-niece Queen Maria.
Upon their marriage, Melisende passed the lordship of Arsuf to John, increasing his territory in the Kingdom of Jerusalem. Beirut was effectively an independent state under his rule, while remaining a vassal of the Sovereign. After rebuilding the city which had been destroyed by the forces of Saladin, during the latter's conquest of the Crusader kingdom, Ibelin constructed a magnificent palace.
John of Ibelin and Melisende had six sons and one daughter:
- Balian of Ibelin (1210- 4 September 1247 Askalon), in 1230, he married Eschiva de Montfaucon,[3] daughter of Walter de Montfaucon de Montbéliard and Bourgogne de Lusignan of Cyprus.
- John of Ibelin (1212- December 1258), Lord of Arsuf, Constable of Jerusalem. Married Alix of Caiphas, daughter of Rohart of Caiphas and Aiglantine of Nephim.[3]
- Raoul of Ibelin
- Hugh of Ibelin(1213–1238)[3]
- Baldwin of Ibelin, Seneschal of Cyprus, (died 21 February 1267)[3]
- Guy of Ibelin, constable of Cyprus (c.1215- May 1255), married Philippa, daughter of Aimery Berlais.[3]
- Isabelle of Ibelin, became a nun
Death
Melisende died on an unknown date. Her husband John of Ibelin died in 1236 when he was crushed by his horse, while on a military campaign against the Muslims.
References
- Roll & Tal 1999, p. 14.
- Lignages d'Outremer, Marciana MS Francese 20, CC LXXXIX, p.63
- Lock 2006, p. 490.
Sources
- Lignages d'Outremer, Marciana MS Francese 20, CCLXXXIX, p. 63
- Lock, Peter (2006). The Routledge Companion to the Crusades. Routledge.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
- Roll, Israel; Tal, Oren (1999). Apollonia-Arsuf: The Persian and Hellenistic periods. Tel Aviv University Press.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
- Women in Power (1150–1200)