The Rule of Baldwin I and Baldwin II (Edexcel A-Level History): Revision Notes

The Rule of Baldwin I and Baldwin II

Background: the transition from Godfrey to Baldwin I

Following the capture of Jerusalem in 1099, Godfrey of Bouillon was elected as the city's first ruler on 22 July 1099. Rather than accepting the grand title of 'King of Jerusalem', Godfrey chose the more humble designation of 'Advocate of the Holy Sepulchre'. This title reflected his religious devotion and suggested a degree of modesty in his approach to ruling the holy city.

However, Godfrey's reign was brief. He died almost exactly one year after his election, creating the need for a new ruler. His successor would prove to be far less modest in his ambitions.

The reign of Baldwin I (1100–1118)

Baldwin I's path to the throne

Baldwin I, who had been ruling as Count of Edessa, began his journey southward to Jerusalem upon hearing of Godfrey's death. Unlike his predecessor, Baldwin had no hesitation about claiming the full title of king. Even before he officially became ruler, he demonstrated decisive leadership. During his journey to Jerusalem, he:

• Installed a new count to govern Edessa in his absence
• Prevented Danishmend Turks from capturing Antioch

These early actions showed Baldwin's willingness to take charge and make important decisions. He was crowned King of Jerusalem on 11 November 1100, marking a significant shift from Godfrey's more humble approach.

Establishing royal authority

Baldwin I proved to be a powerful and effective ruler who fundamentally strengthened the Crusader states of Outremer. His reign was characterised by the consolidation of territories and the establishment of a clear system of overlordship over his vassals in the Kingdom of Jerusalem. He achieved this through several key strategies:

Authority over the church

The relationship between king and church was crucial in medieval society, and Baldwin I moved swiftly to establish his dominance. The Patriarch of Jerusalem, Daibert of Pisa, had opposed Baldwin's succession to the throne, preferring instead Bohemond I of Antioch as the next ruler. This opposition posed a serious threat to Baldwin's authority.

Baldwin dealt with this challenge decisively. He managed to have Daibert removed from his position in 1102. Even more significantly, by 1112 Baldwin had secured the appointment of his own preferred candidate, Arnulf of Chocques, as Patriarch. This gave the king effective control over the church leadership in Jerusalem, ensuring that religious authority supported rather than challenged his rule.

Intervention in the kingdom's affairs

Baldwin I established himself as an active and engaged ruler who was prepared to involve himself directly in resolving disputes and managing affairs throughout his kingdom. His interventions demonstrated that he was not a passive monarch content to remain in Jerusalem, but rather a hands-on leader.

Even when his interventions were unsuccessful—such as his attempt to resolve a succession dispute in Tripoli in 1109—they served an important purpose. They showed his vassals and potential rivals that he was actively monitoring events and willing to assert his authority. This created a clear message that Baldwin was the ultimate authority in the kingdom and would not tolerate challenges to the established order.

Defence of the kingdom

Baldwin I recognised that the survival of the Crusader states depended on effective military defence against the surrounding Turkish and Muslim powers. He not only worked to consolidate existing territories but also took proactive military action to defend against external threats.

Castle building programme

Perhaps one of Baldwin I's most lasting legacies was his initiation of an intensive castle building programme. These fortifications would eventually become crucial to Outremer's defensive strategy, allowing the Crusaders to maintain control over key strategic locations despite being heavily outnumbered by their Muslim neighbours.

A prime example of this programme was Montreal, constructed deep in the south-eastern territory of the kingdom on Baldwin's orders in 1115. These castles served multiple purposes:

• They provided secure bases for military operations
• They controlled important trade routes and roads
• They demonstrated Crusader power and presence in the region
• They offered refuge for Christian communities

Assessment of Baldwin I's reign

Baldwin I's reign from 1100 to 1118 established the foundations for the Kingdom of Jerusalem's survival. Through his strong leadership, he created a system of governance that balanced royal authority with the power of the church and nobility. His death on 2 April 1118 created another succession crisis that would test the stability he had worked to establish.

The reign of Baldwin II (1118–1131)

The succession crisis of 1118

Baldwin I's death triggered a contested succession that revealed tensions within the Crusader leadership. He had named his brother, Eustace of Boulogne, as his heir. However, Eustace faced a significant problem: he was still in Europe and could not immediately claim the throne.

At almost the same time, Baldwin of Bourcq, who held the position of Count of Edessa, arrived in Jerusalem and pressed his own claim to the throne. This created a direct challenge to the designated heir and raised questions about how succession should be determined—through bloodline or through presence and capability?

The crisis was resolved in favour of Baldwin of Bourcq (who became Baldwin II) for several crucial reasons:

• He had the support of key figures such as Patriarch Arnulf (whom Baldwin I had appointed) and Joscelin of Courtenay, who was lord of Tiberias and Baldwin's cousin
• Most importantly, he was physically present in Jerusalem to press his case, while Eustace remained in Europe
• His supporters could argue that the kingdom needed immediate leadership to face ongoing military threats

Baldwin II as defender of Outremer

Once he secured the throne, Baldwin II quickly demonstrated that he was a capable and energetic ruler. He proved himself to be an able defender of Outremer through his actions in multiple areas.

Regent of Antioch

One of Baldwin II's most significant contributions was his management of the principality of Antioch. After the devastating Battle of the Field of Blood, Antioch was left without effective leadership or a regent to govern on behalf of the young Bohemond II. Baldwin II stepped into this role and served as regent until 1126.

This was no small commitment. The role involved making six separate journeys of approximately 280 miles each way between Jerusalem and Antioch. During these trips, Baldwin had to:

• Resolve political disputes between competing noble factions
• Provide military defence against Muslim attacks
• Maintain the stability of the principality's government
• Ensure loyalty to the young prince he was serving

Military campaigns and territorial expansion

Baldwin II continued the aggressive military strategy initiated by Baldwin I, recognising that expansion was necessary to create defensive buffer zones around Jerusalem and to reduce the Muslim military threat. During his entire reign, he led approximately 19 military campaigns—an impressive demonstration of his commitment to active military leadership.

His campaigns included major attempts on Damascus and its surrounding territories in 1126 and 1129. Damascus was a crucial Muslim power centre, and controlling it would have dramatically strengthened the Crusader position in the region. Although these campaigns ultimately failed to capture the city, they demonstrated Baldwin II's willingness to take the offensive rather than simply defending existing territories.

Source analysis: Baldwin II in Antioch

Source B, written by Walter the Chancellor around 1122 in his work The Antiochene Wars, provides valuable insight into how Baldwin II was perceived by those in Antioch. Walter was a member of the Antiochene government, meaning he had direct access to information and events.

The source describes Baldwin II's arrival in Antioch after dealing with a Turkish invasion force elsewhere, while another force had attacked Antioch itself. Walter's account is notably positive:

Challenges to Baldwin II's rule

Despite his military successes and energetic leadership, Baldwin II faced significant challenges that threatened the stability of his government. These challenges revealed the inherent fragility of Crusader political structures and the importance of the king's physical presence.

Rebellion and the crisis of 1123–1124

In 1123, Baldwin II was captured during a military campaign in the northern states and held prisoner until 1124. This extended absence created a power vacuum that some nobles attempted to exploit.

During his imprisonment, certain nobles in Jerusalem tried to have Count Charles of Flanders installed as king in Baldwin's place. This reveals important aspects of Crusader politics:

• The king's authority depended partly on his physical presence and ability to act
• Some nobles were willing to challenge the established succession when the king was vulnerable
• Personal loyalty was not always guaranteed, even to a competent ruler

The crisis was averted when Charles refused the nobles' request. However, the fact that such a plot was attempted at all showed the weakness in Baldwin's position and the resentment that had built up among some sections of the nobility.

Disputes with the church

The Patriarch of Jerusalem posed another challenge to Baldwin II's authority. The church leader attempted to claim Jaffa and sought control over the city of Jerusalem itself, arguing that these had been promised by Godfrey of Bouillon during the initial conquest.

These claims represented a significant threat because:

• If successful, they would have given the church independent territorial control
• They challenged the principle of royal supremacy established by Baldwin I
• They could have created a rival power centre within the kingdom

Baldwin II successfully resisted these claims, refusing to give in to the Patriarch's demands. This demonstrated his determination to maintain the balance of power that his predecessor had established, where the king held ultimate authority over both secular and religious matters.

The succession problem

Unlike his predecessor, Baldwin II faced a unique dynastic challenge: he only had daughters and no male heirs. In medieval society, this created serious concerns about the continuation of the ruling dynasty and who would inherit the throne.

Baldwin II developed a creative solution to this problem. He arranged for his daughter Melisende to marry Count Fulk of Anjou, a powerful French noble. When they had a son, also named Baldwin (who would become Baldwin III), the succession question became more complex—would power pass to Fulk's family line, or would Melisende retain her claim?

The origins of Baldwin II's difficulties

The challenges that Baldwin II faced stemmed from two interconnected issues that destabilised his government without completely overwhelming it.

First, his extended periods of absence in Antioch created opportunities for opposition to develop. When the king was hundreds of miles away dealing with Antioch's problems, the nobles in Jerusalem had both the time and the freedom to plot against him. This absence reduced his ability to monitor potential threats and respond quickly to challenges.

Second, and perhaps more fundamentally, Baldwin II's approach to securing his rule when he initially took the throne created lasting resentment. Because his claim was contested and somewhat questionable—he had, after all, pushed aside the designated heir Eustace—Baldwin needed to ensure the loyalty of key supporters.

He achieved this through favouritism and strategic appointments, placing his own supporters in crucial positions:

• Joscelin of Courtenay was made Count of Edessa
• His cousin William Bures-sur-Yvette received the lordship of Galilee
• Other loyal supporters received similar rewards

While this strategy secured his initial position, it created several problems:

• Nobles who were passed over felt excluded and resentful
• It created the perception that Baldwin rewarded personal loyalty over merit or traditional rights
• It established factions within the nobility based on proximity to the king
• It undermined the legitimacy that comes from following established rules of succession

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