Much of Raymond’s [Raymond of Poitiers] colourful personality is symbolized by the way in which he acquired his principality [of Antioch]. When Bohemond II was slain in battle by the Turks in 1130 his ambitious widow Alice offered to marry her daughter Constance – who was Bohemond’s heiress – to a son of the Byzantine emperor. The horrified Latin barons and prelates of Antioch appealed for help to king Fulk of Jerusalem. Fulk decided that Raymond, being of excellent capabilities and ducal birth but landless, would make a suitable prince, and sent secret messengers to him in England at Henry I’s court.
To avoid being arrested en route by the Sicilian king, who also had designs on Antioch, Raymond travelled to the East in disguise, sometimes as a peddler, sometimes as a poor pilgrim. When he arrived he revealed himself to Alice and immediately proposed marriage. His proposal was accepted but, while Alice was preparing for her wedding, Raymond – with the connivance of the Latin patriarch – surreptitiously married the nine-year-old princess Constance in the cathedral. He was now ruling prince of Antioch by right and the unfortunate Alice had to depart into obscurity.
Source:
Seward, Desmond. “The Crusader.” Eleanor of Aquitaine. New York: Times , 1979. 49, 50. Print.
Further Reading:
Alice of Jerusalem / Alice of Antioch / Haalis / Halis / Adelicia
Constance of Hauteville / Constance of Antioch
Fulco / Foulque or Foulques / Fulk, King of Jerusalem / Fulk the Younger / Fulk V, Count of Anjou
No comments, yet...