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