Baldwin II, Latin emperor of Constantinople

Baldwin II, 1217–73, last Latin emperor of Constantinople (1228–61), brother and successor of Robert of Courtenay Robert of Courtenay (kôrt`nē, k

rtənā`), d.
..... Click the link for more information. . He began his personal rule only after the death (1237) of his father-in-law, John of Brienne John of Brienne (brēĕn`), c.1170–1237, French crusader. He was a count and in 1210 married Mary, titular queen of Jerusalem.
..... Click the link for more information. . Baldwin traveled in Western Europe seeking financial and military aid for his precarious throne (see Constantinople, Latin Empire of Constantinople, Latin Empire of, 1204–61, feudal empire established in the S Balkan Peninsula and the Greek archipelago by the leaders of the Fourth Crusade (see Crusades ) after they had sacked (1204) Constantinople; also known as the empire of Romania
..... Click the link for more information. ). To obtain funds he sold a large part of the True Cross and other sacred relics to Louis IX of France and at one time pawned his son to the Venetians. In 1261, Michael VIII Michael VIII (Michael Palaeologus), c.1225–1282, Byzantine emperor (1261–82), first of the Palaeologus dynasty. Following the murder of the regent for Emperor John IV of Nicaea, he was appointed (1258) regent and, soon afterward (1259), coemperor.
..... Click the link for more information. , Greek emperor of Nicaea, stormed Constantinople. Baldwin escaped to Italy and ultimately transferred his claims on the throne to Charles I Charles I (Charles of Anjou), 1227–85, king of Naples and Sicily (1266–85), count of Anjou and Provence, youngest brother of King Louis IX of France. He took part in Louis's crusades to Egypt (1248) and Tunisia (1270).
..... Click the link for more information. of Naples.

Baldwin II, Latin king of Jerusalem

Baldwin II (Baldwin of Le Bourg), d. 1131, Latin king of Jerusalem (1118–31), count of Edessa (1100–1131); cousin and successor of Baldwin I. He accompanied Godfrey of Bouillon on the First Crusade and was captured (1104) by the Muslims. He was released in 1108. As king of Jerusalem, he spent most of his reign warring with the Turks in N Syria. He was a prisoner from 1123 to 1124; Eustace Garnier, his regent during his captivity, captured Tyre. In Baldwin's reign the Latin principality of Antioch was reduced to dependence on the kingdom of Jerusalem. Baldwin's daughter Melisende married (1129) Fulk Fulk (fŭlk), 1092–1143, Latin king of Jerusalem (1131–43), count of Anjou (1109–29) as Fulk V, great-grandson of Fulk
..... Click the link for more information. of Anjou, who succeeded Baldwin.

Baldwin II

known as Baldwin of Bourg

(died August 1131, Jerusalem) King of Jerusalem (1118–31). A French nobleman, he joined the First Crusade and was made count of Edessa by his cousin Baldwin I in 1100. Captured by Seljuq Turks in 1104, he was ransomed four years later and reclaimed Edessa from the regent by force. He became king of Jerusalem in 1118 on the death of Baldwin I. He was held hostage by the Turks 1123–24. He later expanded his kingdom and attacked Damascus with the aid of the Knights of Malta and the Templars. He arranged the marriage of his daughter Melisend to Fulk V of Anjou and made them his successors.