Joscelin II, Count of Edessa facts for kids
Joscelin II of Edessa was the fourth and final ruler of the County of Edessa. He was the son of Joscelin I of Edessa and Beatrice. Joscelin II lived during a challenging time for the Crusader states.
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Early Life and Becoming Count
Joscelin II's early life involved some dangerous events. In 1122, his father, Joscelin I, was captured by an enemy leader named Belek Ghazi. The next year, King Baldwin II of Jerusalem was also captured.
Armenian soldiers bravely rescued Joscelin I in 1123. Joscelin I then worked with Baldwin's wife, Morphia, to help free the king. To secure King Baldwin's release in 1124, young Joscelin II and Baldwin's daughter, Joveta, were held as prisoners instead.
Luckily, Joscelin II and Joveta were freed in 1125. This happened after King Baldwin won a big battle and used the spoils to pay a large ransom.
In 1131, Joscelin I was badly hurt in a battle. He passed the rule of Edessa to his son, Joscelin II. Joscelin II was hesitant to lead the small army against the enemy. So, his father, even while wounded, forced the enemy to retreat before he died.
Challenges as Count of Edessa
Joscelin II became the ruler of the weakest and most isolated of the Crusader states. These were Christian territories established in the Middle East.
In 1138, Joscelin II joined forces with the Principality of Antioch and the Byzantine emperor John II Komnenos. They planned to attack a powerful enemy named Zengi, who ruled Aleppo. However, their attack on the city of Shaizar was not successful.
When they returned to Antioch, Joscelin II stirred up local feelings against the Byzantine Empire. This caused a riot that made Emperor John II return home.
The Fall of Edessa
A few years later, in 1143, both Emperor John II and King Fulk of Jerusalem died. This left Joscelin II without strong allies to help protect Edessa.
In late 1144, Joscelin II made an alliance with Kara Aslan and marched his army north to help him. This left the capital city of Edessa with very few defenders. Zengi, seeing his chance, quickly turned his army towards Edessa. He attacked and captured the city in 1144. This event was known as the Siege of Edessa.
After losing the capital, Joscelin II escaped to Turbessel. He continued to rule the remaining parts of his county from there. These lands were located west of the Euphrates River.
Attempts to Regain Edessa
In September 1146, Zengi was assassinated by one of his slaves. Joscelin II saw this as an opportunity. In October 1146, he managed to recapture Edessa.
However, he did not receive help from the other Crusader states. Zengi's son, Nur ad-Din, quickly drove Joscelin's forces out. The city was lost again in November of the same year.
The Second Crusade was called in response to Edessa's fall. But instead of focusing on Edessa, the Crusaders decided to attack Damascus.
Capture and Final Years
In 1150, Joscelin II was traveling to Antioch to ask for help. On his way, he was captured by Nur ad-Din's soldiers.
Joscelin II was taken to the city of Aleppo. There, he was presented to a large, angry crowd and was blinded. He spent the last nine years of his life as a prisoner in a Muslim prison. Joscelin II died in the dungeons of the Citadel of Aleppo in 1159.
Joscelin II's Family
Joscelin II was married to Beatrice of Saone. They had at least two daughters and one son who lived to adulthood:
- Agnes of Courtenay: She married Amalric I of Jerusalem, who later became King of Jerusalem. Agnes's children, Baldwin IV of Jerusalem and Sibylla of Jerusalem, also became rulers of Jerusalem. Her grandson, Baldwin V of Jerusalem, was also a king.
- Joscelin III of Edessa: He held the title of Count of Edessa, but he only ruled a small area near Acre.
- Isabella of Courtenay: She might have married Thoros II, Prince of Armenia and had two daughters.
