Principality of Galilee (original) (raw)

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Fief in crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem

Principality of Galilee
1099–1187
Flag of Galilee Flag
Galilee in 1187Galilee in 1187
Status Vassal of Kingdom of Jerusalem
Capital Tiberias
Common languages Latin, Old French, Italian (also Arabic and Greek)
Religion Roman Catholicism, Greek Orthodoxy, Syriac Orthodoxy, Islam, Judaism
Government Feudal monarchy
Prince
• 1099–1101 Tancred
• 1174–1187 Raymond III
Historical era High Middle Ages
• First Crusade 1099
• Conquered by Saladin 1187
Preceded by Succeeded by Fatimid Caliphate Ayyubid dynasty

The principality of Galilee was one of the four major seigneuries of the crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem, according to 13th-century commentator John of Ibelin, grandson of Balian.[1] The direct holdings of the principality centred around Tiberias, in Galilee proper, but with all its vassals, the lordship covered all Galilee (now Israel) and southern Phoenicia (today Lebanon). The independent Lordship of Sidon was located between Galilee's holdings. The principality also had its own vassals, the lordships of Nazareth and Haifa.

The principality was established, at least in name, in 1099 when Tancred was given Tiberias, Haifa, and Bethsan by Godfrey of Bouillon. In 1101, Baldwin I limited Tancred's power by giving Haifa to Geldemar Carpenel, and Tancred was forced to give up the principality and become regent in Antioch. The principality became the fief of the families of St. Omer, Montfaucon (Falcomberques), and then Bures, and its main seat was in Tiberias; thus it was sometimes also called the Principality of Tiberias or the Tiberiad. The principality was destroyed by Saladin in 1187, although the title was used by relatives and younger sons of the kings of Cyprus (the titular kings of Jerusalem) afterwards, and some of its former holdings were briefly reclaimed by a treaty made during the Barons' Crusade.[2]

List of princes of Galilee

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Italicized names are of titular princes.

Lordship of Nazareth

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Nazareth was the original site of the Latin patriarch, established by Tancred. It was created as a seigneury in Galilee in 1115. A Martin of Nazareth, who probably acted as viscount of Nazareth, is documented in 1115 and in 1130/1131.[3]

  1. ^ W.), Edbury, P. W. (Peter (1997). John of Ibelin and the Kingdom of Jerusalem. Woodbridge, Suffolk, UK: Boydell Press. p. 113. ISBN 0585257523. OCLC 45732821.{{[cite book](/wiki/Template:Cite%5Fbook "Template:Cite book")}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  2. ^ Edbury, P. W. (Peter W. ) (1997). John of Ibelin and the Kingdom of Jerusalem. Internet Archive. Woodbridge, Suffolk, UK; Rochester, NY, USA : Boydell Press. pp. 59–60. ISBN 9780851157030.
  3. ^ Murray, Alan, The Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem: A Dynastic History 1099-1125 (Unit for Prosopographical Research, Linacre College, Oxford, 2000) p. 217.