Melisende, Queen of Jerusalem

“The eyes of all look to you and on you alone the whole weight of the kingdom falls. You must put your hand to strong things and show a man in a woman, doing what is to be done in the spirit of counsel and fortitude. You must dispose of all things so prudently and moderately that all who see them will think you are a king rather than a queen from your acts.”

Bernard of Clairvaux (Saint Bernard), letter to Melisende (1143–44)

The benevolent monarch, patron of the arts, and political mastermind Melisende of Jerusalem reigned over the Crusader kingdom some 850 years ago, her rule marked by an auspicious blend of “soft power.” Whether directly, or in concert with her husband Fulk or her son Baldwin III, Melisende ruled for some 30 years – longer than any other Crusader royal.

Her story is an inspiring narrative that challenges gender stereotypes, as aptly described by 12th-century theologian Bernard of Clairvaux. Chronicles of the Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem portray Melisende as a leader with rare political acumen, deeply attached to the geography and people of the Holy Land, and as a supporter of the Latin Church, which she enlisted in the protection of her interests. Melisende’s hybrid ancestry, as the daughter of a Frankish king and an Armenian princess, embodies the connection between East and West that blossomed in Crusader Jerusalem, endowing her with a mythic aspect – as the incarnation of a hope that animates hearts to this day.