Alice

Namesake

Alice of Jerusalem, also known as Alicia of Jerusalem, was a prominent noblewoman in the Crusader States during the 12th century. She was part of the House of Boulogne and the Kingdom of Jerusalem and played a significant role in the complex politics of the Crusader kingdom.

Family Background

Alice was the daughter of Baldwin II, King of Jerusalem (r. 1118–1131), and his Armenian wife, Morphia of Melitene. Her father, Baldwin II, was one of the most important Crusader kings, and her mother came from Armenian nobility, giving Alice a unique blend of Frankish and Eastern Christian heritage.

Alice had three sisters:

1. Melisende, who married Fulk V of Anjou and became Queen of Jerusalem.

2. Hodierna, who became Countess of Tripoli.

3. Ioveta, who became Abbess of Bethany.

Marriage to Bohemond II

In 1126, Alice was married to Bohemond II, the Prince of Antioch, a key Crusader state in northern Syria. This marriage was a political alliance that strengthened ties between the Kingdom of Jerusalem and the Principality of Antioch. Bohemond II, the son of Bohemond I, one of the original Crusader leaders, was a powerful figure in the region.

Alice’s Rebellion and Ambitions

After Bohemond II was killed in 1130 during a campaign against the Danishmends, Alice attempted to assert control over the Principality of Antioch as regent for their infant daughter, Constance. She hoped to govern Antioch independently rather than be subordinate to her father, Baldwin II, or her sister, Melisende, who was now Queen of Jerusalem.

Alice sought alliances with other regional powers, including the Emir of Damascus, to solidify her position. However, her ambitions to control Antioch were thwarted by her father, Baldwin II, who marched on Antioch and forced Alice to leave the city, taking direct control of the regency for his granddaughter Constance.

Second Rebellion

Despite this setback, Alice remained politically ambitious. After her father’s death in 1131 and the accession of her sister Melisende and her brother-in-law Fulk as Queen and King of Jerusalem, Alice once again sought to regain power. In 1132, she conspired with Pons of Tripoli and Joscelin I of Edessa against Fulk, seeking to wrest control of Antioch from him. However, this second rebellion was also unsuccessful, and Fulk maintained control over the principality.

Later Life and Death

After her failed attempts to assert control over Antioch, Alice largely faded from the historical record. She likely spent her remaining years in relative obscurity, with her daughter Constance eventually being married off to Raymond of Poitiers, who became the new Prince of Antioch.

Alice’s ambitions to govern Antioch reflect the complex politics of the Crusader States, where noblewomen could wield considerable influence through their familial connections, but were often limited by the male-dominated feudal system. Her repeated attempts to assert control over one of the most important Crusader territories show her determination and political skill, even if they ultimately failed.

Legacy

While Alice did not succeed in her ambitions to rule Antioch, her daughter, Constance of Antioch, played a significant role in the principality’s later history. Alice’s story highlights the power struggles that shaped the Crusader States and the significant, albeit often overlooked, roles that women played in medieval politics.