Pearson Edexcel · A-Level · History
Course version: 9HI0 · Version from Sept 2015
The government of the crusader states: the rule of Baldwin I and Baldwin…
Full specification wording
The crusader states of Outremer, 1100–92: The government of the crusader states: the rule of Baldwin I and Baldwin II; Baldwin III and the conflict with Queen Melisende; the rule of the ‘leper king’ Baldwin IV; the importance of growing divisions within the ruling elite and the succession crisis of 1185; the significance of Raymond of Tripoli’s truce with Saladin.
Government in Outremer rested on a small Frankish elite ruling a mostly Muslim and eastern Christian population.
Checked against the Pearson Edexcel 9HI0 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 3 of 3
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Government in Outremer rested on a small Frankish elite ruling a mostly Muslim and eastern Christian population. Baldwin I and Baldwin II expanded and defended the kingdom, relying on royal authority, vassals and military orders. Baldwin III’s reign saw conflict with Queen Melisende, his mother and co-ruler, over effective power until he asserted sole rule. Baldwin IV, the ‘leper king’, faced internal factionalism and a rising Saladin. Growing divisions within the ruling elite weakened royal authority, and the succession crisis of 1185 left a child king, Baldwin V, under a regency. Raymond of Tripoli’s truce with Saladin divided the kingdom and shaped the politics that preceded Hattin.
What earns the marks
- Explains how Baldwin I and Baldwin II governed: royal authority, vassals, military orders and defence of the frontiers.
- Analyses the conflict between Baldwin III and Queen Melisende as a struggle over regency and effective royal power.
- Assesses the impact of Baldwin IV’s illness on royal authority and the rise of factions within the elite.
- Evaluates the succession crisis of 1185 and the regency of Baldwin V as a cause of instability.
- Judges the significance of Raymond of Tripoli’s truce with Saladin for the kingdom’s internal politics and security.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Treating the crusader states as a single unified kingdom.
Put it right by distinguishing the kingdom of Jerusalem from Antioch, Tripoli and Edessa.
Assuming Baldwin IV ruled effectively throughout despite his illness.
Put it right by noting the growing role of regents and factional leaders.
Confusing Raymond of Tripoli’s truce with a permanent peace.
Put it right by describing it as a temporary agreement that deepened political divisions.
Exam tips
- Link each ruler to a specific change in royal authority rather than narrating reigns in sequence.
- Use the succession crisis of 1185 as a turning point when discussing the road to Hattin.
- Compare the authority of Baldwin I and Baldwin IV to show how internal divisions weakened the monarchy.
Try the lesson
The start of the The crusader states of Outremer, 1100–92: The government of the crusader states: the rule of Baldwin I and Baldwin II; Baldwin III and the conflict with Queen Melisende; the rule of the ‘leper king’ Baldwin IV; the importance of growing divisions within the ruling elite and the succession crisis of 1185; the significance of Raymond of Tripoli’s truce with Saladin. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
How did the death of Baldwin IV in 1185 precipitate a succession crisis in the kingdom of Jerusalem?
Listen
Government in Outremer rested on a small Frankish elite ruling a mostly Muslim and eastern Christian population. Baldwin I and Baldwin II expanded and defended the kingdom, relying on royal authority, vassals and military orders. Baldwin III’s reign saw conflict with Queen Melisende, his mother and co-ruler, over effective power until he asserted sole rule. Baldwin IV, the ‘leper king’, faced internal factionalism and a rising Saladin. Growing divisions within the ruling elite weakened royal authority, and the succession crisis of 1185 left a child king, Baldwin V, under a regency. Raymond of Tripoli’s truce with Saladin divided the kingdom and shaped the politics that preceded Hattin. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Explains how Baldwin I and Baldwin II governed: royal authority, vassals, military orders and defence of the frontiers. Analyses the conflict between Baldwin III and Queen Melisende as a struggle over regency and effective royal power. Assesses the impact of Baldwin IV’s illness on royal authority and the rise of factions within the elite. Evaluates the succession crisis of 1185 and the regency of Baldwin V as a cause of instability. A common slip: Treating the crusader states as a single unified kingdom. Instead, distinguishing the kingdom of Jerusalem from Antioch, Tripoli and Edessa. Exam tip: Link each ruler to a specific change in royal authority rather than narrating reigns in sequence.
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Royal authority and succession
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Factionalism within the ruling elite
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Relations with the military orders
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Diplomacy and truce with Saladin
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See every definition
- Royal authority and succession
- The power of the monarchy and the passing of rule, which rested on a small Frankish elite and was weakened by growing divisions and the succession crisis of 1185.
- Factionalism within the ruling elite
- Growing divisions among the small Frankish elite that weakened royal authority, especially under Baldwin IV.
- Relations with the military orders
- Baldwin I and Baldwin II relied on vassals and military orders in governing and defending the frontiers.
- Diplomacy and truce with Saladin
- Raymond of Tripoli's temporary agreement with Saladin, which divided the kingdom and shaped the politics preceding Hattin.
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