The Second Crusade
Circumstance in Outremer in 1130s and 1140s
Internal Divisions and Rebellions:
• In Outremer, Fulk’s rule saw a struggle between newly arrived nobles and native
nobles over Melisende’s marriage
• Fulk faces opposition and threat from Count Hugh I of Jaffa in 1134
• Jerusalem also had to contain a threat from Muslim controlled territories such as
Ascalon
• Antioch was also in a state of near civil war, caused by the actions of Alice, widow of
Bohemund II of Antioch:
o Alice wanted to rule in her own right – at least until her infant daughter Constance
came of age
o No less than 3 occasions (first under Baldwin II in 1130, then under Fulk in 1133 and
1135) disaffected nobles called to Jerusalem as they wanted Alice to remarry of be
removed from power
o Raymond of Poitiers married Constance in 1136 bring some stability
• Antioch also faced a threat from Byzantium:
o Raymond had to battle with John Komnenos, Byzantine Emperor from 1137 – 1138
and 1142 – 1143, reflecting the lack of unity between Christians
o The emperor was angry that he wasn’t involved in choosing Constance’s husband and
gain influence in the area
o 1137 – John arrived in Antioch and compelled Raymond to swear homage and
acknowledge him as overlord
o They agreed that if Franks and Byzantines regained Aleppo against Shaizar then
Antioch would be returned to the empire
o Failed to conquer, but John still tries to force Raymond, resulting in an anti-Byzantine
revolt forcing John to leave
o 1142 – John returned but died before being able to attack
o This meant Antioch was occupied with its own concerns as Zengi threatened
Outremer
Rise of Zengi and the Development of Jihad
Jihad:
• The Jihad was the Muslim idea of Holy War to spread Islam across the world
• They aimed to get rid of infidel (i.e. Christians)
36
, • The idea of Jihad began to develop after the First Crusade, and it focused on the
recapture of Jerusalem
• Zengi was the first Muslim leader to successfully use Jihad to unite Muslims and defeat
Christian forces
• Zengi was celebrated in Muslim poetry, which depicted him as a Mujahid (holy fighter)
and for the first time, Jihad became an active force towards recapturing of Jerusalem
• He achievements were rewarded by the Sunni Caliph of Baghdad – ‘The adornment of
Islam, the King helped by God, the helper of believers’
Zengi’s Aim, Methods, and Reasons for Success:
• During the 1130’s, Zengi, atabeg of Mosul and Aleppo, became the biggest threat to the
Crusaders – he was known for courage, leadership, and military expertise
• His ruthless personality, infliction of terror and cruelty, and strong army meant he was
feared by all Christians
• He spent many years building up his power in the Muslim World and raiding Frankish
lands – he preached Jihad against the Franks from 1127
• 1127 – became Ruler of Aleppo alongside other Christian and Muslim states
• 1138 – became Ruler of Mosul
• 1135 – liberated the southwestern approaches of Aleppo from Christians
• 1137 – captured City of Burin from Tripoli
• 1144 – begins to attack Edessa which eventually falls and sparks the Second Crusade
• 1146 – murdered by his own slave
• Zengi’s main goal was to gain complete control of Damascus which was in Muslim
hands – this was another huge loss and key turning point of the Second Crusade
Taking of Edessa (1144)
• In December 1144, Zengi invaded Edessa
• The city had poor defence:
o The Byzantine emperor was dead and so could not provide any support
o Melisende and Baldwin II were occupied in the north
o There were not enough provisions to defend the city
o Archbishop Hugh was prepared to defend, but was short of money
• Zengi was victorious and besieged Edessa:
o He moved extremely quickly so no other Crusaders could come to their aid
o He set up a blockage and dug a complex series of mines to bring down the walls
o He built wooden towers, dug tunnels, and bombarded walls until they collapsed
o 15,000 people were slaughtered including Hugh, towns sacked, church and
monasteries destroyed, ruler Joscelin II fled to Turberssel
37
