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The Crusades, c1095–1204

The government of the crusader states

  • 3 things to know
  • Paper 1

Overview

Recall questions on the reigns of the Baldwins, the quarrel with Queen Melisende, the High Court and the weakness of the crown, and the succession crisis of 1185.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Key term

Why was the monarchy of Jerusalem structurally weak?

Key term

What were the two factions dividing the kingdom in the 1180s?

Who and when

How did the divisions within the ruling elite contribute to the defeat at Hattin?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    How did Baldwin I alter what the Jerusalem monarchy was?

    Model answer

    He took the title of king, which his brother Godfrey had refused, establishing a hereditary monarchy rather than a Church-led protectorate over the holy places.

  2. 2

    What did Baldwin II contribute to the kingdom's institutions?

    Model answer

    He recognised the Templars, secured the succession through his daughter Melisende, and strengthened the ties to the Italian cities by the Pactum Warmundi with Venice in 1124.

  3. 3

    How was the Kingdom of Jerusalem governed?

    Model answer

    By the king with the High Court of his barons, whose consent was needed for major decisions, giving the nobility unusually strong constitutional leverage.

  4. 4

    Why was the monarchy of Jerusalem structurally weak?

    Model answer

    The crown had limited lands and revenues of its own, depended on the barons and the military orders for troops, and repeatedly passed through women or minors, inviting regencies and disputed successions.

  5. 5

    What were the two factions dividing the kingdom in the 1180s?

    Model answer

    The established baronage around Raymond of Tripoli, who favoured truces with Saladin, and the newer court party around Guy of Lusignan and Reynald of Châtillon, who favoured confrontation.

  6. 6

    How did the divisions within the ruling elite contribute to the defeat at Hattin?

    Model answer

    Factional rivalry produced a decision to march out that experienced barons opposed, and left the army led by a king whose authority much of the nobility did not accept.

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