Governance of the Kingdom of Jerusalem Flashcards
(28 cards)
how was the kingdom of jerusalem created?
After the First Crusade land was distributed to loyal vassals by Godfrey, forming numerous feudal lordships within the kingdom and was continued by his successors
how was the kingdom of jerusalem split up?
Four ‘great fiefs’ and each of those had vassals of their own
what were the 4 great fiefs of the kingdom of jerusalem?
- Prince of Galilee (originally founded as separate state by Tancred but quickly incorporated in the kingdom of Jerusalem)
- Lord of Sidon (smaller than the others)
- Count of Jaffa
- Lord of Oultrejordain/Montreal (largest and most remote. So some degree of autonomy)
what vassals did the prince of galilee hold?
- Lord of Beirut
- Lord of Nazareth
- Lord of Haifa
what vassals did the count of jaffa hold?
- Lord of Ramlah
- Lord of Ibelin
- Lord of Mirabel
who was the first lord of sidon?
Sidon was captured in December 1110 and given to Eustace I Grenier
who was the first count of jaffa?
First granted to Hugh I of Le Puiset in 1110, it eventually became united with Ascalon and intermittently became part of the royal domain
when was the lordship of oultrejordain/montreal est?
Established after the expedition of Baldwin I
what was the haute cour?
high court
why did the nobles have a larger influence on the king of jerusalem than was traditional in the Latin West ?
The nobles lived more often in Jerusalem than on their own estates wherease in the latin west they lived largely on their estates
what was the function of the haute cour?
- Confirmed the election of a new king (or regent if needed)
- Collected taxes
- Minted coins
- Allotted money to the king
- Raised armies
- The Haute Cour was the only judicial body that could judge the nobles of the kingdom.
what criminal cases did the haute cour hear?
It heard the most serious criminal cases involving murder, rape and treason as well as disputes between nobles.
how were the laws of the kingdom of jerusalem developed?
The laws of the kingdom developed gradually but were firmly established by the Council of Nablus (1120)
what were the key roles in the central administration of the kingdom of jerusalem?
- Seneschal
- Constable
- Marshal
- Chancellor
- Chamberlain
- Butler
what was the role of the seneschal?
- Administered royal finances
- Dispensed justice in the king’s place
- Master of ceremonies
- Controller of the Accounts
- Inspector of fortresses (but did not have direct authority over the castle leaders, only viscounts, and as a civil servant he was subordinate to the constable in all military matters)
what was the role of the constable?
- The kingdom’s constant wars gave the constable highest status
- Had supreme military function (under the king)
- Organised policing of royal army
- Presided over the high court when the king could not
what was the role of the marshal?
- Second in command to constable
- Organised different detachments of the army
- Looked after care and inspection of arms and equipment
what was the role of the chancellor?
- Dealt with drawing up deeds and charters
- Directed the king’s diplomatic service
what was the role of the chamberlain?
- Organised the king’s expenditure
- Took charge of the treasury
what was the role of the butler?
Administered the ‘royal table’ – food and vineyards
where did the royal family of jerusalem live?
The royal family lived first on the Temple mount and then (after 1119) near the Tower of David. They also had a palace complex in Acre.
where did the king of jerusalem hold court?
The population of Jerusalem was small (due to prohibition on Muslim inhabitants) so the king just as often held court at Acre, Nablus and (after 1124) Tyre.
what formed the main part of the royal domain of the kingdom of jerusalem?
Four towns – Jerusalem, Nablus, Acre and (from 1124) Tyre – most permanent part of the royal domain. They were never alienated from it
what was the importance of nablus to the kingdom of jerusalem>
central location, major marketplace
