County of Tripoli

County of Tripoli
*Comitatus Tripolitanus*(Latin)
*Comtat de Trípol*(Old Provençal)
County of Tripoli Comitatus Tripolitanus(Latin); Comtat de Trípol(Old Provençal)
1102–1289
	Banner of armsof theHouse of Toulouse-Tripoli(derived from the arms) Arms of theHouse of Toulouse-Tripoli
	Attributed armsof the County of Tripoli;
	The County of Tripoli in the context of the other states of theNear Eastin 1135AD.
Status	Vassal of, theKingdom of Jerusalem,thePrincipality of Antiochand theMongol Empire
Capital	Tortosa(1102–1109),Tripoli(1109–1289)
Common languages	Latin,Aramaic(Maronite),Old French,Old Occitan,Italian,Arabic,Greek,Sabir
Religion	Latin Church(among nobles); Maronite ChurchandEastern Orthodox Church(Among general populace); Oriental Orthodoxy,Islam,andJudaismminority
Government	Feudal monarchy
Count of Tripoli
• 1102–1105(first)	Raymond I
• 1287–1289(last)	Lucia
Historical era	High Middle Ages
• Established	1102
• Conquered byQalawun	27 April 1289
Preceded by	Succeeded by
	Fatimid Caliphate
Mamluk Sultanate
Today part of	Lebanon; Syria

TheCounty of Tripoli(1102–1289) was one of theCrusader states.^[1]It was founded in theLevantin the modern-day region ofTripoli,northernLebanonand parts of westernSyria.^[1]^[2] When theFrankish Crusaders,mostlysouthern Frenchforces – captured the region in 1109,Bertrand of Toulousebecame the first count of Tripoli as avassalof KingBaldwin I of Jerusalem.From that time on, the rule of the county was decided not strictly by inheritance but by factors such as military force (external andcivil war), favour and negotiation. In 1289, the County of Tripoli fell to the MuslimMamluksofCairounder SultanQalawun,and the county was absorbed intoMamluk Sultanate.

Capture by Christian forces

Raymond IV of Toulousewas one of the wealthiest and most powerful of thecrusaders.^[3]Even so, after theFirst Crusade,he had failed to secure any land holdings in theNear East.Meanwhile, theCounty of Edessa,theKingdom of Jerusalemand thePrincipality of Antiochhad been established.^[4]Tripoli was an important strategic goal as it linked theFrenchin the south with theNormansin the north. It was a fertile and well populated area.^[5]In 1102, Raymond IV occupied Tortosa (nowTartus) and in 1103, he prepared, together with veterans of the1101 crusade,to take Tripoli.^[3]^[6]

Citadel of Tripoli

On a natural ridge, which he named "Mons Peregrinus" (French:Mont Pèlerin,English:Mount Pilgrim), 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) from Tripoli, Raymond IV (also known as Raymond de Saint-Gilles) began the construction of a large fortress, theCitadel of Tripoli(Arabic:قلعة طرابلسQalʻat Ṭarābulus), formerly also known as the "Castle of Saint-Gilles" (Arabic:قلعة سان جيلQalʻat Sān Jīl). Despite this new fortress and seasoned troops, Raymond IV's siege of Tripoli failed to secure the port. He died on 25 February 1105.

Succession

Count William of Cerdagne,Raymond IV's cousin and comrade, was supported byTancred, Prince of Galilee,but his succession in the Tripoli campaign was challenged by Raymond IV's illegitimate son,Bertrand of Toulouse.^[7]Bertrand of Toulouse, who was supported byBaldwin I of Jerusalem,arrived in theNear Eastwith a substantial army and a largeGenoesefleet.^[3] In order to resolve the succession issue, Baldwin I created a partition treaty. It specified that William was to hold northern Tripoli and pay homage to Tancred, while Bertrand was to hold south Tripoli as a vassal of Baldwin.^[4]Under a united Christian onslaught, Tripoli fell on 12 July 1109, completing theKingdom of Jerusalem.^[3]When William died of an arrow through the heart (some claim it was murder), Bertrand became the first count of Tripoli.^[7]^: 119

Structure and devolution of power

Holdings and vassals

The extent of the County of Tripoli was determined in part by pre-existingByzantineborders and in part by victory in battle, tempered by the demands of neighbouring crusader states. At its height, the county controlled the coastline fromMaracleain the north toBeirutin the south. Inland, the county's control extended to theKrac des Chevaliersfortress. The rich inland agricultural land of theHoms Gapwas known as La Bocquée.^[8] The county was divided into 'lordships'; areas based roughly around its coastal ports. The count of Tripoli himself held the port of Tripoli and its surrounds. He also controlled the hostile region ofMontferrand,now modern-day Bar'in,Syria,lying to the east.^[3]Approximately one quarter of the land seized around Tripoli was given to theGenoeseas payment for military aid. The Genoese admiralGuglielmo Embriacowas awarded the city ofByblos.^[3]

Homage to the king

The County of Tripoli was an autonomous state.^[9]Despite his contribution to its establishment, Baldwin I did not directly control the County of Tripoli. Nevertheless, the County of Tripoli owedfealty(allegiance) andhomage(declarations of allegiance) to him, and he, in return, provided support to the county in times of trouble.^[3]

Defence

Although occupying a narrow coastal plain, the mountain range beyond was a natural defensive line for Tripoli. Several castle forts were built to defend the mountain passes.^[8] Muslim forces (Turk and Egyptian) attacked the County of Tripoli along its borders, especially those to the east.^[5]^: 73In 1137,Raymond II,the reigning count, lost control of Montferrand.^[3]The Muslim position strengthened when theHashshashin(Nizari Ismailis) forces formed in theNosairi mountainsto the north.^[3]In 1144, in order to increase the county's defences, particularly against Zangi of Mosul, Raymond II gave theKnights Hospitallerlarge stretches of frontier land along the Buqai'ah plain.^[10]This included the castles ofKrak des Chevaliers,Anaz, Tell Kalakh, Qalaat el Felis and Mardabech.^[2]^: 30In the 1150s, the defences were further strengthened by the presence of theKnights TemplaratTartuson the seashore.^[11]^[12]

Religion

In religious matters, the counties of the Kingdom of Jerusalem were expected to follow the lead of theLatin patriarch of Jerusalem.However, CountPonshad formed an alliance withAntioch,and acknowledged theLatin patriarch of Antioch.This was so even after a papal edict to the contrary.^[3]

War with the Seljuk Empire

Shaizar

As a vassal of thekings of Jerusalem,Bertrand of Tripoliwas drawn into war with theSeljuk Turks.In 1111,Mawdud,a Turkish military leader, campaigned againstAntiochandEdessa.Count Bertrand of Tripoli and KingBaldwin I of Jerusalemmarched to defend the Christians in the north. In joining PrinceTancred of Galileeand CountBaldwin II of Edessaat theBattle of Shaizar,their defence of the kingdom was successful.

Hab

In 1119, the Seljuk Empire again attacked Antioch, winning theBattle of Ager Sanguinis.However, Count Pons of Tripoli andBaldwin IIdefended Antioch and, at theBattle of Hab,successfully defended the flank of the Christian forces.

Azaz

In 1125, Count Pons of Tripoli marched against the Turks who had again attackedEdessa,this time besieging the town ofAzaz.Pons of Tripoli, Baldwin II and CountJoscelin I of Edessalured the Turks from Azaz and into an ambush on the plains, where the Turkish forces were defeated.

Earthquake of 1170

On 29 June 1170, an earthquake struck the region. The defensive forts ofKrac des Chevaliers,Chastel Blanc^[10]^: 236and al-'Ariymah were damaged. The cathedral of St Mary in Tripoli township was destroyed.^[13]The earthquake of 1170 resulted in a brief truce betweenNur al-Dinand the county (unlike a previous less severe earthquake of 1157 where fighting continued).^[14]

Contenders

Bertrand of Toulouse, son of Alphonso-Jordan

Alfonso Jordan(1103–1148) was the son of Raymond IV and his third wife,Elvira of Castile.^[15]Although he was born in Tripoli, Alphonso-Jordan was raised in France. In 1147, he joined theSecond Crusade,which was launched in response to the loss of the County of Edessa to Turkish forces. Alphonso died, possibly poisoned, inCaesarea,in 1148.^[13]He had an illegitimate son, Bertrand of Toulouse, who continued his progress towards Tripoli. Count Raymond II(1115–1152), the grandson of Bertrand, Count of Tripoli, engaged his enemies,Nur al-DinandUnur of Damascus,to confront his cousin, Bertrand. The Turkish forces, having only recently battled Raymond II at theSiege of Damascus,attacked the castle ofArima(al-Ariymah).^[10]^: 224They captured Bertrand of Toulouse, who spent the following decade in Muslim prisons. He was released in 1159 following the intervention ofManuel Komnenos,emperor of Byzantium.^[13]^: 197Raymond II later regained Arima. In 1152, Raymond II was killed by theAssassins.He was the first recorded non-Muslim victim of this sect.^[3]

Guy II Embriaco

Bohemond VII(1261 – 19 October 1287) was Count of Tripoli and the nominal Prince of Antioch from 1275 until his death. From 1275 to 1277,Bartholomew, Bishop of Tortosa,was Bohemond VII's regent.^[16]Paul of Segni,Bishop of Tripoli,who was a friend of the Templar Grandmaster,William of Beaujeu,opposed the succession of Bohemond VII.^[16]Ernoulwrote, "This was the beginning of war between Bohemond VII and the Templars."^[17]

Guy II Embriaco(1277–1282) was a former vassal of Bohemond VII inGibelet(Byblos). Grievances between them had led to enmity and this was part of a larger trade war betweenGenoaand theVenetians.^[18] TheTemplarssought to unseat Bohemond VII by supporting Guy II Embriaco. Bohemond VII responded by sacking the Templar house in Tripoli and forests at Montroque.^[16]This action led to indecisive fighting over the following months at Botron,Fort Nephin,Sidonand at sea.^[16]In 1282, Guy II Embriaco and the Templars were ambushed in Tripoli. Guy, his brothers, and cousins were imprisoned at Fort Nephin and left to starve; his followers were blinded and the Templars were summarily executed.

Benedetto I Zaccaria

After the death of Bohemond VII in 1287, the resultingpower vacuummoved the lords of the County of Tripoli to offerBenedetto I Zaccaria(1235–1307), a powerful Genoese merchant, control of the county. In Tripoli, a special non-aristocraticsocial statushad been granted to people from the great mercantile cities of Europe, especially those from the maritime republics of Italy (e.g.,Venice).^[6]^: 172The communes elected Bartholomew Embriaco to the role of Mayor of Tripoli. He also promoted trade with the Genoese. Bohemond VII had no issue. His mother,Sibylla of Armenia,was discounted in the succession because she was the friend of Bishop Bartholomew of Tortosa, considered an enemy of Tripoli. Bohemond VII's younger sister, Lucie, established herself at Fort Nephin with the support of theKnights Hospitaller.Eventually, Bartholomew Embriaco and the communes decided they could not rule, while Benedetto I Zaccario declined the countship. Thus, after negotiations, Lucie becameLucia, Countess of Tripoliin 1288.^[19]

Fall to the Muslims

Constant infighting, lack of resources, a series of poor harvests, changes to trade routes and the local economy and Muslim and Mongol military pressure led to the decline of theKingdom of Jerusalem.^[2]^: 7By the 1280s, only two crusader states remained; the remnants of Jerusalem and the County of Tripoli. Even though theMamlukgovernment ofEgypthad a treaty with the county, in March 1289, Tripoli favoured an alliance with the Mongols and as a resultSultan Qalawunof Egypt attacked Tripoli. Despite desperate defense operations, the county fell and was merged with Qalawun's empire.^[3]

Vassals of Tripoli

Counts of Tripoli

Raymond I(1102–1105, alsoCount of ToulouseasRaymond IV)
Alfonso Jordan(1105–1109), withWilliam Jordanas regent
Bertrand(1109–1112)
Pons(1112–1137)
Raymond II(1137–1152)
Raymond III(1152–1187)
Raymond IV(1187–1189), son ofBohemond III of Antioch.
Bohemond IV(1189–1233, alsoPrince of Antioch1201–1216 and 1219–1233)
Bohemond V(1233–1252, also Prince of Antioch)
Bohemond VI(1252–1275, also Prince of Antioch 1252–1268)
Bohemond VII(1275–1287)
Lucia(1287–1289)

Titular rulers of Tripoli after its fall to Egyptian forces:

Lucia(1289 – c.1299)
Philippe(c.1299 – 1300)

Tripoli passes to the Kings of Cyprus and Jerusalem:

Peter I of Cyprus(1346–1359)
Peter II of Cyprus(1359–1369)
James of Lusignan(? – c. 1396), cousin
John of Lusignan(c. 1396 – c. 1430), son
Peter of Lusignan(c. 1430 – 1451), brother, Regent of Cyprus
Juan Tafures(1469–1473)

Great officers of Tripoli

References

^^a ^bGregory, T. E. (2010).A History of Byzantium.John Wiley & Sons. p. 327.ISBN 978-1-4051-8471-7.
^^a ^b ^cRiley-Smith, J. (2012).The Knights Hospitaller in the Levant, c. 1070–1309.Palgrave Macmillan. p. 174.ISBN 978-0-230-29083-9.^{[permanent dead link]}
^^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^lTyerman C."God's war – a new history of the crusades"Harvard University Press. 2009.ISBN 978-0674030701
^^a ^bMadden, T. F. (2005).The New Concise History of the Crusades.Rowman & Littlefield.ISBN 978-0-7425-3822-1.
^^a ^bKennedy, H. (1994).Crusader Castles.Cambridge University Press. p.62.ISBN 978-0-521-79913-3.
^^a ^bSetton, K. M. (1985).A History of the Crusades: The Impact of the Crusades on the Near East.Univ of Wisconsin Press. p. 240.ISBN 978-0-299-09144-6.
^^a ^bAsbridge, T. S. (2000).The Creation of the Principality of Antioch, 1098–1130.Boydell & Brewer Ltd. p. 208.ISBN 978-0-85115-661-3.
^^a ^bHaag, M. (2012).The Tragedy of the Templars: The Rise and Fall of the Crusader States.Profile Books. p.138.ISBN 978-1-84765-854-8.
^Hamilton, Bernard (7 July 2005).The Leper King and His Heirs: Baldwin IV and the Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem.Cambridge University Press. p. 44.ISBN 978-0-521-01747-3.
^^a ^b ^cBoas, A. (2006).Archaeology of the Military Orders: A Survey of the Urban Centres, Rural Settlements and Castles of the Military Orders in the Latin East (c. 1120–1291).Routledge. p. 131.ISBN 978-0-203-96481-1.
^Peoples, R. S. (2007).Crusade of Kings.Wildside Press LLC. p. 54.ISBN 978-0-8095-7221-2.
^National Geographic Society (1931).The National Geographic Magazine.Vol. 59. National Geographic Society.
^^a ^b ^cBarber, M. (2012).The Crusader States.Yale University Press. p. 256.ISBN 978-0-300-18931-5.
^Raphael, K. (2010).Ancient Earthquakes.Geological Society of America. p. 60.ISBN 978-0-8137-2471-3.
^William of Puylaurens (2003).The Chronicle of William of Puylaurens: The Albigensian Crusade and Its Aftermath.Boydell Press. p. 17.ISBN 978-0-85115-925-6.
^^a ^b ^c ^dHistory of the Templars – Barber
^Estoire d'Eracles
^Northrup, L. (1998).From Slave to Sultan: The Career of Al-Manṣūr Qalāwūn and the Consolidation of Mamluk Rule in Egypt and Syria (678–689 A.H./1279–1290 A.D.).Franz Steiner Verlag. p. 152.ISBN 978-3-515-06861-1.
^Folda, J. (2005).Crusader Art in the Holy Land, From the Third Crusade to the Fall of Acre.Cambridge University Press. p. 383.ISBN 978-0-521-83583-1.

[Gregory-1] Gregory, T. E. (2010).A History of Byzantium.John Wiley & Sons. p. 327.ISBN 978-1-4051-8471-7.

[Riley-2] Riley-Smith, J. (2012).The Knights Hospitaller in the Levant, c. 1070–1309.Palgrave Macmillan. p. 174.ISBN 978-0-230-29083-9.^{[permanent dead link]}

[Tyerman-3] ^^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^lTyerman C."God's war – a new history of the crusades"Harvard University Press. 2009.ISBN 978-0674030701

[Madden-4] Madden, T. F. (2005).The New Concise History of the Crusades.Rowman & Littlefield.ISBN 978-0-7425-3822-1.

[Kennedy-5] Kennedy, H. (1994).Crusader Castles.Cambridge University Press. p.62.ISBN 978-0-521-79913-3.

[Setton-6] Setton, K. M. (1985).A History of the Crusades: The Impact of the Crusades on the Near East.Univ of Wisconsin Press. p. 240.ISBN 978-0-299-09144-6.

[Asbridge-7] Asbridge, T. S. (2000).The Creation of the Principality of Antioch, 1098–1130.Boydell & Brewer Ltd. p. 208.ISBN 978-0-85115-661-3.

[Haag-8] Haag, M. (2012).The Tragedy of the Templars: The Rise and Fall of the Crusader States.Profile Books. p.138.ISBN 978-1-84765-854-8.

[hamilton-9] Hamilton, Bernard (7 July 2005).The Leper King and His Heirs: Baldwin IV and the Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem.Cambridge University Press. p. 44.ISBN 978-0-521-01747-3.

[Boas-10] Boas, A. (2006).Archaeology of the Military Orders: A Survey of the Urban Centres, Rural Settlements and Castles of the Military Orders in the Latin East (c. 1120–1291).Routledge. p. 131.ISBN 978-0-203-96481-1.

[11] Peoples, R. S. (2007).Crusade of Kings.Wildside Press LLC. p. 54.ISBN 978-0-8095-7221-2.

[12] National Geographic Society (1931).The National Geographic Magazine.Vol. 59. National Geographic Society.

[Barber-13] Barber, M. (2012).The Crusader States.Yale University Press. p. 256.ISBN 978-0-300-18931-5.

[Raphael-14] Raphael, K. (2010).Ancient Earthquakes.Geological Society of America. p. 60.ISBN 978-0-8137-2471-3.

[William-15] William of Puylaurens (2003).The Chronicle of William of Puylaurens: The Albigensian Crusade and Its Aftermath.Boydell Press. p. 17.ISBN 978-0-85115-925-6.

[Barber2-16] History of the Templars – Barber

[17] Estoire d'Eracles

[Northrup-18] Northrup, L. (1998).From Slave to Sultan: The Career of Al-Manṣūr Qalāwūn and the Consolidation of Mamluk Rule in Egypt and Syria (678–689 A.H./1279–1290 A.D.).Franz Steiner Verlag. p. 152.ISBN 978-3-515-06861-1.

[Folda-19] Folda, J. (2005).Crusader Art in the Holy Land, From the Third Crusade to the Fall of Acre.Cambridge University Press. p. 383.ISBN 978-0-521-83583-1.

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v t e Crusader states
List of Crusader states
Levant	Kingdom of Jerusalem vassals Principality of Antioch County of Edessa Marash County of Tripoli Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia Kingdom of Cyprus
Greece	Latin Empire of Constantinople Duchy of Philippopolis Kingdom of Thessalonica Principality of Achaea Duchy of Athens Duchy of Neopatras Duchy of the Archipelago Triarchy of Negroponte County Palatine of Cephalonia and Zakynthos Lordship of Argos and Nauplia Venetian Stato da Màr Knights Hospitaller Hospitaller Rhodes Genoese colonies
Prussia andLivonia	State of the Teutonic Order* Teutonic Order Livonian Order Livonian Brothers of the Sword* Archbishopric of Riga Bishopric of Courland Bishopric of Dorpat Bishopric of Ösel–Wiek Dobrzyń Land Order of Dobrzyń Free City of Riga
Military orders Crusading movement Crusades

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