Hodierna of Jerusalem
| Hodierna | |
|---|---|
 Jaufre Rudel dies in the arms of Hodierna of Tripoli (MS of troubadour songs, 13th century North Italian,Bib. Nat. Française) | |
| Countess of Tripoli | |
| Tenure | 1137–1152 |
| Born | c.1110 |
| Died | c.1164 (aged 53–54) |
| Spouse | Raymond II of Tripoli |
| Issue | Melisende of Tripoli Raymond III |
| House | House of Rethel House of Rouergue(by marriage) |
| Father | Baldwin II of Jerusalem |
| Mother | Morphia of Melitene |
Hodierna of Jerusalem(c.1110 –c.1164) was a countess consort ofTripolithrough her marriage toRaymond II of Tripoli,and regent of theCounty of Tripoliduring the minority ofher sonfrom 1152 until 1155.
Early life
[edit]She was the daughter ofBaldwin II of Jerusalemand theArmeniannoblewomanMorphia.Hodierna was the third of four daughters; her older sisters wereMelisende,who succeeded their father, andAlice,who aspired to ruleAntioch,and her younger sister wasIoveta,abbess ofBethany.
Countess of Tripoli
[edit]Hodierna marriedRaymond II of Tripoliin about 1135. Hodierna was close to her sisters: she may have asked Melisende to arrange for the assassination ofAlphonse I of Toulouse,son ofRaymond IV of Toulouse,in 1148, when Alphonse came to claim theCounty of Tripoli.Hodierna supported Melisende in her struggle with her sonBaldwin IIIin 1150-52. Melisende ended up on the losing side by 1152, but she was given a small fief to rule inNablus,where she and Hodierna were able to influence the election of theLatin Patriarch.
Regency
[edit]In 1152, Hodierna was in the midst of a dispute with her husbandRaymond II of Tripoli.Hodierna, like her sisters, was very independent, but Raymond was a jealous man and kept her in seclusion. There were even rumours that their daughterMelisende(named after the queen) was fathered by a different man. Her sister Melisende and her nephew Baldwin came north to intervene. Hodierna and Raymond agreed to reconcile, but it was also decided that Hodierna should return to Jerusalem with Melisende for a short time.
Almost as soon as they had leftTripoli,Raymond was killed by theHashshashin.Hodierna immediately returned to assume the regency of the county for her sonRaymond III,who was still a child. Baldwin ensured the support of the nobles of the county, and Hodierna allowed him to give the castle ofTortosato theKnights Templar,in order to defend from an attack byNur ad-Din Zangi,who invaded when he heard of Raymond's death. Hodierna remained regent until her son was declared adult in 1155.
Later life
[edit]Hodierna remained by Melisende's side when Melisende lay dying in 1161. Now rid of the influence of his mother, Baldwin III took personal control of Nablus, exchanging it withPhilip of Millywho received thelordship of Oultrejordainin return. Hodierna gave her assent to this transaction on behalf of Melisende. Hodierna died at an unknown date, probably in the 1160s.
Legacy
[edit]According to the legendaryVidaof thetroubadourJaufré RudelofBlaye,the legend of her beauty, brought back to France by pilgrims, inspired Rudel's songs ofamor de lonh— "distant love." The story claims that he took part in theSecond Crusadeto see her but fell sick and was brought ashore, dying. Hodierna is said to have come down from her castle on hearing the news, and Rudel died in her arms. This romantic but unlikely story seems derived from Rudel's verse's enigmatic nature and his presumed death on the Crusade.Edmond Rostandtook it as the basis for his 1895 verse dramaLa Princesse Lointainebut reassigned the female lead from Hodierna to her jilted daughter Melisende.
Sources
[edit]- Hans E. Mayer,The Crusades.Oxford, 1965.
- Steven Runciman,A History of the Crusades, vol. II: The Kingdom of Jerusalem.Cambridge University Press,1952.
- William of Tyre,A History of Deeds Done Beyond the Sea,trans. E.A. Babcock and A.C. Krey.Columbia University Press,1943.
