Juliana Grenier facts for kids

Juliana, also known as Julianne Grenier, was an important noblewoman who lived a long time ago, around the 12th and 13th centuries. She was the Lady of Caesarea, a significant area in the Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem. She inherited this important role from her brother, Walter II, after he passed away between 1189 and 1191.

When Juliana became Lady of Caesarea, her lands had just been taken over by a powerful leader named Saladin. But in September 1192, thanks to a peace agreement called the Treaty of Jaffa, Caesarea was given back to her. However, the city and its defenses, which had been damaged, were not rebuilt during her lifetime.

Early Life and Family Connections

Juliana was the only daughter of Lord Hugh of Caesarea and his wife, Isabelle. Her family was well-known in the Crusader states. Her brother, Walter, seems to have given her some lands near a place called Naplouse.

Around 1184, a legal expert named John of Ibelin wrote about different land holdings, called fiefs, and what services they owed. He mentioned that a lady from Caesarea had to provide two knights for lands near Naplouse. This shows that even before she inherited the main lordship, Juliana was involved in managing her family's lands.

Juliana's Marriages and Children

Juliana was married twice. Her first husband was Guy, who was the brother of Walter II Brisebarre, the Lord of Beirut. They were first mentioned as married in a royal document from King Baldwin IV in 1179.

In 1183, Juliana and Guy were with the royal court in Jerusalem. They agreed when Juliana's brother sold a village, or casale, called Galilaea, which was near Caesarea, to the Order of the Hospital. This sale was for a large sum of money, 5,000 bezants, which was a type of gold coin.

It's not clear if Guy was still alive when Juliana inherited the title of Lady of Caesarea. Some old records suggest he might have been called Lord of Caesarea because of his marriage to her (this is called jure uxoris). Juliana and Guy had four children:

• Walter III: He later became the Lord of Caesarea after Juliana.
• Bernard: He passed away without having any children.
• Isabelle: She married Renaud de Caiphas, who was an important official called the chamberlain of Jerusalem.
• Bertha: She married Renaud de Soissons, who was a marshal of Cyprus.

Juliana's second husband was Aymar de Lairon. He definitely held the title of Lord of Caesarea. Juliana herself is first officially called Lady of Caesarea in 1197. At that time, she and Aymar confirmed a gift that her brother had made just before he died.

Between 1201 and 1213, Juliana and Aymar signed many official documents together. In 1206, with her husband's and eldest son's permission, Juliana gave a house and some land in Acre to the Teutonic Knights.

In 1207, again with her husband's agreement, she made a special gift to the Order of the Hospital. She gave them a house and three carucates (a measure of land) at Capharlet, along with the villages of Pharaon and Seingibis (which is now called Khirbat Nisf Jubail). She made this donation to honor her parents. Her family had a long history of supporting the Hospitallers. Juliana continued this tradition by joining the order as a lay sister, which meant she could be buried in their cemetery.

Financial Challenges and Later Life

Around 1212–13, Juliana and Aymar needed money. They took out a couple of loans from the Hospitallers because they were facing financial difficulties. Records show that they needed money, and some time before 1243, a Lady of Caesarea sold land to the Teutonic Knights.

For their first loan, they promised houses in Acre and Tyre, as well as the village of Turcarme, in exchange for 2,000 bezants. For the second loan, they promised the villages of Capharlet, Samarita, and Buffles for 1,000 bezants.

Juliana is not mentioned in any official documents after October 1213. Her husband, Aymar, stopped using the title of lord in February 1216. This suggests that Juliana likely passed away between October 1213 and February 1216.

See also

In Spanish: Juliana Grenier para niños