Civil war in Jerusalem halted by a compromise from Melisende

Summary:
The division of the kingdom made earlier in the year put Baldwin III and Melisende in different spheres, hopefully solving the tension. But the old friction points remained: Manasses was still in place and Baldwin, well past majority, was still less powerful than his mother. Pressured by the same agitators as before, Baldwin decided to attack Melisende's half of the kingdom. She realised his plans, arranged for the defence of Nablus, and retired to Jerusalem. Baldwin besieged Manasses in his castle of Mirabel, captured him and sent him into exile. After taking Nablus, he followed his mother to the capital. Most landowners in the area under her control disregarded loyalty to her and declared for the king. Exceptions who supported her were her son Amalric, count of Jaffa, who was still young, Philip of Nablus, Rohard the elder and a few more. As Baldwin approached Jerusalem, Melisende took refuge in the citadel, while Fulcher the patriarch intervened in favour of the status quo, but to no avail, condemning Baldwin's actions. The city of Jerusalem did not hold out long against its king; he entered and assaulted the citadel. After some days of fierce fighting on both sides, agreement was reached through envoys: Melisende ceded Jerusalem to Baldwin, while he guaranteed her safe enjoyment of Nablus 
Dates:
1152: 
Amalric I, count of Jaffa and Askalon, later king of Jerusalem (Amalric 51)
  • He was one of the few barons loyal to his mother Melisende 4002 in her struggle against his brother Baldwin 53; he was still very young (:) William of Tyre bk. 17, 14.34-35
Baldwin III, king of Jerusalem (Baldwin 53)
  • It was hoped that by separating him and Melisende 4002 in different spheres, dissension would be stopped; but tensions over Manasses 102 and Baldwin's mature age continued and were exploited by agitators; Baldwin eventually decided to attack Melisende's half of the kingdom (:) William of Tyre bk. 17, 14.9-23
  • As Melisende 4002 retired to Jerusalem, Baldwin captured Manasses 102 in his castle of Mirabel and exiled him; he took Nablus and marched on the capital; most barons supported him, even in the area once under Melisende's control, but not Amalric 51, Philippos 104, Rohard 101 and a few more (:) William of Tyre bk. 17, 14.23-36
  • He disregarded an intervention by Fulcher 4003 in favour of peace, earning his condemnation; he soon entered Jerusalem, and besieged Melisende 4002 fiercely in the citadel; an agreement was finally reached that she should cede him Jerusalem in return for his guarantee of her peaceful enjoyment of Nablus (:) William of Tyre bk. 17, 14.36-65
Fulcher of Angoulême, archbishop of Tyre, then patriarch of Jerusalem (Fulcher 4003)
  • As Baldwin 53 approached Jerusalem, he intervened in favour of the status quo ( a divided kingdom), but to no avail; he ended by condemning Baldwin's actions (:) William of Tyre bk. 17, 14.38-46
Manasses, royal constable of Jerusalem (Manasses 102)
  • He remained a point of contention between Melisende 4002 and Baldwin 53; when Baldwin attacked Melisende's half of the kingdom, one of his first targets was Manasses' stronghold of Mirablel; the fortress was captured, Manasses was exiled, and Baldwin went on towards Jerusalem (:) William of Tyre bk. 17, 14.25-29
Melisende, daughter of Baldwin II, queen of Jerusalem (Melisende 4002)
  • It was hoped that by keeping her and Baldwin 53 in different spheres, dissension would cease; but old tensions continued to be exploited by agitators; when Baldwin eventually decided to attack Melisende's half of the kingdom, she realised his plans, arranged for the defence of Nablus and retired to Jerusalem (:) William of Tyre bk. 17, 14.9-25
  • As Baldwin 53 attacked Jerusalem, most barons, even from her half of the country, supported him, except Amalric 51, Philippos 104, Rohard 101 and a few more; she defended the citadel against fierce attack, finally handing over Jerusalem to Baldwin in return for a guarantee of safety in Nablus (:) William of Tyre bk. 17, 14.29-65
Philip of Nablus (Philippos 104)
  • He was one of the few barons loyal to Melisende 4002 in her struggle against her son Baldwin 53; his lands lay in the half of Palestine ruled in 1152 by her (:) William of Tyre bk. 17, 14.35
Rohard, castellan of Jerusalem (Rohard 101)
  • He was one of the few barons loyal to Melisende 4002 in her struggle against her son Baldwin 53; presumably his lands lay in the half of Palestine ruled in 1152 by her (:) William of Tyre bk. 17, 14.35