Fulk of Jerusalem

Fulk V of Anjou (1089/1092 – November 13, 1143), also known as Fulk the Young, and after 1131 as Fulk of Jerusalem, was Count of Anjou from 1109 to 1129, and king of Jerusalem from 1131 to his death.

Death

In 1143, while the king and queen were on holiday in Acre, Fulk was killed in a hunting accident. His horse stumbled, fell, and Fulk's skull was crushed by the saddle. He was carried back to Acre, where he died and was buried in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Though their marriage started in conflict, Melisende mourned for him privately as well as publicly. Fulk was survived by his son Geoffery of Anjou by his first wife, and Baldwin III and Amalric I by Melisende.

Related Topics:
Acre - Church of the Holy Sepulchre

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

According to William of Tyre, Fulk was "a ruddy man, like David... faithful and gentle, affable and kind... an experienced warrior full of patience and wisdom in military affairs." His chief fault was an inability to remember names and faces.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

William of Tyre described Fulk as a capable soldier and able politician, but observed that Fulk did not adequately attend to the defense of the crusader states to the north. Ibn al-Qalanisi (who calls him al-Kund Anjur, an Arabic rendering of "Count of Anjou") says that "he was not sound in his judgment nor was he successful in his administration." The Zengids continued their march on the crusader states, culminating in the fall of the County of Edessa in 1144, which led to the Second Crusade (see Siege of Edessa).

Related Topics:
Ibn al-Qalanisi - County of Edessa - 1144 - Second Crusade - Siege of Edessa

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~