Melisende
Sign in to saveQueen of Jerusalem (1105-1161)
Academic profile · OpenAlex
- Works
- 2
- Cited by
- 0
Research areas
Most cited works
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Recent publications · Crossref
1 total works indexed
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Key facts
- Reign
- 1131–1152
- Coronations
- 14 September 1131 25 December 1143
- Predecessor
- Baldwin II
- Successor
- Baldwin III
- Co rulers
- Fulk (1131–1143) Baldwin III (1143–1152)
- Born
- 1104/09 or slightly later
- Died
- 11 September 1161 (aged 51 – 52)
- Burial
- Abbey of Saint Mary of the Valley of Jehosaphat
- Spouse
- Fulk V of Anjou ( married</span>"}]]}'>m. 1129 ; died 1143 )
- Issue
- Baldwin III of Jerusalem Amalric of Jerusalem
- House
- House of Rethel
- Father
- Baldwin II of Jerusalem
- Mother
- Morphia of Melitene
via Wikipedia infobox
Wikidata facts
- Image
- Melisende and Fulk of Jerusalem.jpg
Show 3 more facts
- Commons category
- Melisende of Jerusalem
- date of birth
- 1105-01-01
- date of death
- 1161-09-11
Sources (2)
via Wikidata · CC0
~40 min read
Article
Melisende (c. 1109 – 11 September 1161) was the queen of Jerusalem from 1131 to 1152. She was the first female ruler of the Kingdom of Jerusalem and the first woman to hold a public office in the crusader kingdom. Her fame grew in her lifetime for her generous support of the various Christian communities in her kingdom. Contemporary chronicler William of Tyre praised her wisdom and abilities, while modern historians differ in their assessment.
Melisende was of mixed Frankish–Armenian heritage, the eldest daughter of King Baldwin II and Queen Morphia. In the late 1120s, when it became clear that her father would likely not have a son, she was declared heir presumptive to the throne and married Fulk of Anjou. Baldwin II died in 1131, having conferred the kingdom on Melisende, Fulk, and their son Baldwin III. Melisende and Fulk were crowned shortly after.