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.

Securing the borders

Jerusalem's northern border was of great concern. Fulk had been appointed regent of the Principality of Antioch by Baldwin II. As regent he had Raymund of Poitou marry the infant Constance of Antioch, daughter of Bohemund II and Alice of Antioch, and niece to Melisende. However, the greatest concern during Fulk's reign was the rise of Atabeg Zengi of Mosul.

Related Topics:
Principality of Antioch - Raymund of Poitou - Constance of Antioch - Bohemund II - Alice of Antioch - Atabeg - Zengi - Mosul

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In 1137 Fulk was defeated in battle near Barin but allied with Mu'in ad-Din Unur, the vizier of Damascus. Damascus was also threatened by Zengi. Fulk captured the fort of Banias, to the north of Lake Tiberiasand thus secured the northern frontier.

Related Topics:
1137 - Barin - Mu'in ad-Din Unur - Vizier - Damascus - Banias - Lake Tiberias

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Fulk also strengthened the kingdom's southern border. His butler Paganus built the fortress of Kerak to the south of the Dead Sea, and to help give the kingdom access to the Red Sea, Fulk had Blanche Garde, Ibelin, and other forts built in the south-west to overpower the Egyptian fortress at Ascalon.

Related Topics:
Kerak - Dead Sea - Red Sea - Blanche Garde - Ibelin - Egypt

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In 1137 and 1142, Byzantine emperor John II Comnenus arrived in Syria attempting to impose Byzantine control over the crusader states. John's arrival was ignored by Fulk, who declined an invitation to meet the emperor in Jerusalem.

Related Topics:
1137 - 1142 - Byzantine emperor - John II Comnenus - Syria - Byzantine - Crusader state

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