Queen Melisende founded & richly endowed a convent for nuns at Bethany

Summary:
Queen Melisende, as the kingdom of Jerusalem was peaceful, founded a female monastery for the salvation of the souls of her whole family. After exchanging land with the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, she built the convent at Bethany. It was fortified, provided with rich lands, precious vessels and fabrics, and an elderly and pious lady as superior. Melisende's foundation was in part motivated by a desire to help her sister Iveta, who had a subordinate position in the convent of St Anne. When the elderly superior soon died, Melisende saw her chance, and chose Iveta to replace her. At the same time she added to the rich endowments, as she would continue to do for the rest of her life 
Dates:
1143 
first mother superior of queen Melisende's convent at Bethany (Anonyma 249)
  • She was chosen as the first mother superior of the convent, but her life soon came to an end (:) William of Tyre bk. 15, 26.27-41
Iveta/Yvette, daughter of Baldwin II of Jerusalem (Iveta 4001)
  • Her subordinate position in the convent of St Anne worried Melisende 4002, who wanted to make her an abbess; this was one reason why she founded the convent at Bethany; when Anonyma 249 died, Melisende saw the opportunity, and chose her as superior, adding to the rich endowments (:) William of Tyre bk. 15, 26.8-46
Melisende, daughter of Baldwin II, queen of Jerusalem (Melisende 4002)
  • As the kingdom of Jerusalem was peaceful, she founded a female monastery for the salvation of the souls of her whole family; after exchanging land with the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, she built it at Bethany; it was fortified, provided with rich lands, precious vessels and fabrics, and Anonyma 249 as superior (:) William of Tyre bk. 15, 26.1-39
  • Her foundation of the convent was in part due to a desire to promote Iveta 4001, as she wanted her to be an abbess; when Anonyma 249 died, Melisende saw the chance, and appointed Iveta, with the consent of William 4018 and the nuns, adding more endowments, as she would for the rest of her life (:) William of Tyre bk. 15, 26.8-46