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Maria of Antioch’s death by order of her own son.
Constance of Antioch was the only child of Baldwin II of Antioch, ruler of the Crusader state. Baldwin died when Constance was two, and Constance became the ruling princess, in name only. Her mother, Alice of Jerusalem, attempted to rule as regent, but the nobles preferred a man. Alice’s father, Baldwin II of Jerusalem was appointed regent for Constance. After his death, Alice’s brother-in-law, Fulk of Anjou, took over.
Fulk arranged for Constance to marry Raymond of Poitiers. As her husband, Raymond assumed control of the government while Constance bore children. When Raymond was killed in battle, Constance’s cousin, Baldwin III of Jerusalem, attempted to marry her to the Byzantine Emperor’s middle aged relative. Constance refused and married Raynald of Chatillon, who ruled for his wife.
After Raynald was imprisoned by the Muslim ruler of Aleppo, Constance once again attempted to take the throne. Again, by virtue of her sex, she was estopped. Baldwin III of Jerusalem declared Constance’s teenage son, Baldwin, as prince of Antioch. Constance was infuriated and sought the support of the Byzantine Emperor, Manuel I Kommenus.
Around this time, Manuel was seeking a wife. Manuel was seeking a wife of Crusader origin, as his late wife had been, and sent his agents to Jerusalem to…
