Baldwin II

Life and political setting

Baldwin was a noble connected with the Boulogne family network and settled in the East after taking part in the First Crusade. He succeeded Baldwin I as count of Edessa when the latter moved to Jerusalem, and was elected king of Jerusalem in 1118. The marriages of his daughters became central to the dynastic continuity of the kingdom.

Career during the Crusading era

Captured at Harran in 1104, Baldwin was released only after several years of negotiation. Balak captured him again in 1123. An attempted escape at Kharput, the delivery of hostages and promises concerning fortresses formed part of a complicated ransom settlement. During his reign he also supported the capture of Tyre in 1124.

Documented activity: a chronological record

On 7 May 1104, Baldwin II appears in the atlas record “Battle of Harran” at Harran – Balikh basin. The event is documented through Albertus Aquensis, Urfalı Mateos, İbnü’l-Esîr. On 14 April 1118, Baldwin II appears in the atlas record “Baldwin II becomes king of Jerusalem” at Jerusalem. The event is documented through Cambridge History of War, ‘Crusaders and settlers in the East, 1096–1291’, TDV İslâm Ansiklopedisi, ‘Haçlılar’, Encyclopaedia Britannica, ‘Crusades’.

On 16 January 1120, Baldwin II appears in the atlas record “Council of Nablus” at Nablus. The event is documented through Norman P. Tanner, Decrees of the Ecumenical Councils, Fordham Medieval Sourcebook, Evolution of Crusader Privileges 1095–1270, Encyclopaedia Britannica, ‘Crusades’. On 1122 – 1124, Baldwin II appears in the atlas record “Balak's captive-taking campaigns” at Suruç – Kharput. The event is documented through Fulcherius Carnotensis, Urfalı Mateos, İbnü’l-Esîr.

On 15 February – 7 July 1124, Baldwin II appears in the atlas record “Capture of Tyre” at Tyre. The event is documented through Fulcherius Carnotensis, Willermus Tyrensis, TDV İA, ‘Sûr’. On November 1129, Baldwin II appears in the atlas record “Damascus campaign” at Damascus region. The event is documented through Cambridge History of War, ‘Crusaders and settlers in the East, 1096–1291’, TDV İslâm Ansiklopedisi, ‘Haçlılar’, Encyclopaedia Britannica, ‘Crusades’.

Allies, opponents and geographical range

Baldwin II appears in the same records as Joscelin I, Sökmen el-Kutbî, Çökürmüş, Patriarch Warmund, Balak Ghazi, Venetian fleet, Tâcülmülûk Böri. Co-occurrence does not always indicate alliance: the connection may involve command, dynastic rivalry, captivity, negotiation or direct conflict.

The principal geographical range represented in the atlas is Harran – Balikh basin; Jerusalem; Nablus; Suruç – Kharput; Tyre; Damascus region. These places record not only presence but also the supply lines, diplomatic contacts and limits of authority relevant to the biography.

Results of recorded decisions

The “Battle of Harran” dossier records the consequences of this episode and identifies the source problems that limit a definitive reconstruction. Use this record as a starting point for comparing narrative sources, military practice, captivity, negotiation and the legal treatment of war.

The “Baldwin II becomes king of Jerusalem” dossier records the consequences of this episode and identifies the source problems that limit a definitive reconstruction. Use this record as a starting point for comparing narrative sources, military practice, captivity, negotiation and the legal treatment of war.

The “Council of Nablus” dossier records the consequences of this episode and identifies the source problems that limit a definitive reconstruction. Use this record as a starting point for comparing narrative sources, military practice, captivity, negotiation and the legal treatment of war.

The “Balak's captive-taking campaigns” dossier records the consequences of this episode and identifies the source problems that limit a definitive reconstruction. Use this record as a starting point for comparing narrative sources, military practice, captivity, negotiation and the legal treatment of war.

Sources and historiography

Latin chronicles and dynastic narratives make the person's role visible, while charters, treaties, letters and Arabic, Greek, Armenian or Syriac accounts provide independent controls. Later heroic portraits are evidence for memory and reception, not contemporary biography.

Names and titles vary between languages; Baldwin II of Jerusalem, Baudouin du Bourg should be searched together in catalogues and texts. Approximate dates remain marked as such, and later literary or visual fame is separated from contemporary testimony.