Baldwin of Ibelin An influential baron of the Kingdom of Jerusalem in the 12th century Date of Birth: 01.01.1135 Country: Italy

1. Baldwin of Ibelin: A Prominent Baron in the Kingdom of Jerusalem
2. Lordship and Family Ties
3. Captivity and Imperial Redemption
4. Political Alliances and Dissent
5. Unrequited Love and Exile
6. Marriage and Family

Baldwin of Ibelin: A Prominent Baron in the Kingdom of Jerusalem

Baldwin of Ibelin was a significant baron in the Kingdom of Jerusalem during the 12th century. He was the second son of Barisan of Ibelin, with elder brother Hugh and younger brother Balian.

Lordship and Family Ties

Upon his elder brother's death, Baldwin inherited the castle of Ibelin, while remaining Lord of Ramla and bequeathing Ibelin to his younger brother Balian. Baldwin and Balian aligned with Raymond III, Count of Tripoli, against Miles de Plancy in the regency struggle over King Baldwin IV in 1174. They also participated in the Battle of Montgisard in 1177.

Captivity and Imperial Redemption

Baldwin was captured at the Battle of the Jordan River in 1179. Byzantine Emperor Manuel Comnenus paid his ransom, and upon his release, Baldwin visited Constantinople in 1180. Legend has it that the Emperor showered him with coins intended for the ransom. During his stay, the Emperor passed away.

Political Alliances and Dissent

In 1183, Baldwin supported Raymond against Guy de Lusignan, husband of Sibylla and the then-regent to the leprosy-stricken Baldwin IV. Baldwin was among the barons who advised the King to crown Sibylla's son, Baldwin V, in 1183, while Baldwin IV was still alive, an attempt to prevent Guy's succession to the throne.

Unrequited Love and Exile

According to Ernoul's Chronicle, Baldwin harbored resentment towards Guy because he himself had sought to marry Sibylla in 1180. Baldwin and Sibylla exchanged correspondence while he was in captivity, but the Ibelin lineage was not as prestigious as the French de Lusignans, and Baldwin was unsuccessful. Seeing Guy as "mad and foolish," Baldwin refused to acknowledge him as King (also due to Guy's European origins in contrast to Baldwin's local heritage). He declined to return to Jerusalem to aid Guy against Saladin and possibly died in self-imposed exile in 1187.

Marriage and Family

Baldwin married Richeut of Bethshan in 1157, with whom he had children. He later divorced Richeut in 1174 and married Isabella Hotman in 1175. She died in 1177. After 1180, he married Maria, the daughter of Raynier, Constable of Tripoli. There was another Baldwin of Ibelin, son of John the Old of Ibelin, Lord of Beirut, who was a nephew to this Baldwin.