Attempt by Baldwin II & Joscelin to escape from Kharpurt

Summary:
Baldwin II and Joscelin of Edessa (and friends) in their prison at Kharpurt made plans to escape: their first step was to establish good relations with the local Armenians, so that any help they got from outside would be maximised in its effect. Then a group of fifty Armenians from Edessa entered the fortress of Kharpurt in disguise. Different sources claim that they were dressed as monks or as poor traders. One of them assassinated the commander of the guard as he was playing chess, causing a fracas in which all hundred Turkish troops in Kharpurt were killed. They then freed Baldwin II and a nephew of his, as well as Joscelin and other prisoners. Balak saw a dream of Joscelin blinding him - a sign of the danger he posed. He therefore surrounded the castle with troops, but Joscelin was to get away. Balak's wife and other family members were caught inside. The escapees chose different roles: Baldwin was to organise the defence of Kharpurt against Balak, while Joscelin and three companions escaped to get help 
Dates:
 
wife of Balak of Khanzit (Anonyma 236)
  • She (with other family members) was caught inside Kharpurt when Baldwin 52 and Joscelin 4001 were released from confinement by Armenians and took over the castle (:) Fulcher of Chartres 3.23.6
commander of the guard at Kharpurt (Anonymus 869)
  • Some fifty Armenians from Edessa infiltrated Kharpurt, as Baldwin 52 and Joscelin 4001 tried to cultivate nearby Armenians; when the commander was playing chess, one of the newcomers assassinated him, leading to the killing of all hundred Turks in the castle and freedom for Christian prisoners (:) Fulcher of Chartres 3.23.3-5
nephew of Baldwin II of Jerusalem (Anonymus 4039)
  • Imprisoned with his uncle, Baldwin 52, in Kharpurt, he was freed by Armenians, but then recaptured by Balak and moved to Harran (: ) William of Tyre bk. 12, 19.31-35
Balak of Khanzit (Balak 4001)
  • As Baldwin 52 and Joscelin 4001 escaped from confinement inside Kharpurt, Balak saw Joscelin in a dream blinding him, emphasising the count's importance for himself; Balak therefore gathered his troops and surrounded and blockaded the castle, but Joscelin was to escape (:) Fulcher of Chartres 3.24.1
Baldwin of Bourcq, Baldwin II, king of Jerusalem (Baldwin 52)
  • Was freed in Kharpurt by 50 Armenians, who acted either altruistically or in promise of reward, disguised either as monks or as traders; decided to try to hold Kharpurt, sending Joscelin 4001 for help (: ) William of Tyre bk. 12, 18.1-40
  • He and Joscelin 4001 in their prison of Kharpurt tried to make plans to escape: their first step was to establish good relations with the local Armenians, so that any help they got from outside would be maximised in its effect (:) Fulcher of Chartres 3.23.1-2
  • After exchanging gifts, promises and oaths, some fifty Armenians from Edessa dressed as poor traders infiltrated Kharpurt; as Anonymus 869 was playing chess, he was assassinated by one of them, leading to the killing of all hundred Turks in the castle and freedom for Christian prisoners (:) Fulcher of Chartres 3.24.3-5
Joscelin I of Courtenay, count of Edessa (Joscelin 4001)
  • Was freed in Kharpurt by 50 Armenians, who acted either altruistically or in promise of reward, disguised either as monks or as traders; decided to seek help with 3 companions; sent back one with a ring to Baldwin 52 as sign of his escape (: ) William of Tyre bk. 12, 18.1-37
  • He and Baldwin 52 in their prison of Kharpurt tried to make plans to escape: their first step was to establish good relations with the local Armenians, so that any help they got from outside would be maximised in its effect (:) Fulcher of Chartres 3.23.1-2
  • After exchanging gifts, promises and oaths, some fifty Armenians from Edessa dressed as poor traders infiltrated Kharpurt; as Anonymus 869 was playing chess, he was assassinated by one of them, leading to the killing of all hundred Turks in the castle and freedom for Christian prisoners (:) Fulcher of Chartres 3.23.3-5