Baldwin of Bourcq: Count of Edessa and King of Jerusalem (1100-1131)

Baldwin of Bourcq, a younger son of a minor French count, joined the great crusade in 1096 and became ruler of the Franco-Armenian county of Edessa, the kingdom of Jerusalem, and one of only a dozen kings in Western Christendom. This biography, based on a wide range of narrative and documentary sources, explores his ancestry and life, the complex and shifting geopolitics of the principalities of Outremer, and his character as a ruler and leader in war.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 264 pages
Publication date: 31 May 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Baldwin of Bourcq, a remarkable figure in medieval military history, embarked on a remarkable journey in 1096. Leaving his home in France, he joined the great crusade called by Pope Urban II to liberate the holy sites and Christian peoples of Syria and Palestine from the domination of the Muslim Turks. In 1100, he assumed the rule of the Franco-Armenian county of Edessa, and in 1118, he ascended to the kingdom of Jerusalem. Over a span of just over two decades, this younger son of a minor French count rose to become one of only a dozen kings in Western Christendom.

To safeguard the principalities of Outremer against their Turkish and Egyptian adversaries, Baldwin undertook extensive travels, leading his troops in over two dozen campaigns. He endured two extended periods of captivity in Turkish hands, yet he outlived almost all of his fellow crusaders, leaving the succession to his kingdom secure.

This captivating biography, written in any language, is the first to provide a comprehensive account of Baldwin's ancestry and life, from his earliest recorded appearance to his passing in 1131. It delves into the intricate and ever-changing geopolitics of the principalities of Outremer and the Muslim territories surrounding them, shedding light on Baldwin's character as a ruler and leader in war, the significance of his extensive kinship network, and the intricacies of the succession to the kingdom of Jerusalem.

Baldwin of Bourcq is a valuable resource for students, teachers, and researchers in Medieval History, particularly Crusade Studies and Military History. His remarkable journey and achievements continue to inspire and intrigue scholars to this day.

Weight: 424g
Dimension: 233 x 156 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367545314