Baldwin II becomes king of Jerusalem

Background

Baldwin I fell ill during a campaign into Egypt and died near al-Arish on 2 April 1118. He had no children. His will is said to have named his brother Count Eustace of Boulogne as successor or, if Eustace did not come, Count Baldwin of Bourcq of Edessa. Eustace was in Europe, and the kingdom, under threat from Egypt and Damascus, could not afford a long vacancy.

The election

Baldwin of Bourcq, who happened to be in Jerusalem on pilgrimage, was elected king by the barons with the support of Joscelin of Courtenay, prince of Galilee, and anointed on Easter Day, 14 April 1118. The embassy sent to fetch Eustace brought him as far as Apulia, but on learning that the election had taken place he turned back.

The new king gave the County of Edessa to Joscelin, who had backed him. The coronation itself took place at Bethlehem on 25 December 1119.

Outcome and significance

The election showed that the throne could be determined not only by dynastic ties but by the will of the kingdom's barons. Knowing Edessa and Antioch well, Baldwin II spent much of his reign in the north: after the Field of Blood in 1119 he took over the regency of Antioch, and in 1123–1124 he was a prisoner of Belek Ghazi. His reign saw the founding of the Templars, the Council of Nablus and the capture of Tyre.

Sources and debates

Fulcher of Chartres describes the new king's accession approvingly; William of Tyre implies that Joscelin backed Baldwin for his own advantage. The content of Baldwin I's will, and whether Eustace was really a candidate, are disputed because they are known only from later accounts.