The clerics in Jerusalem supported Queen Melisende from her inauguration as successor to Baldwin II in 1131 through every crisis and accusation until her death. For her part, she brought the clergy and other religious leaders into closer relations with one another, donated large sums of money for their activities and promoted the construction of churches and monasteries.
She was also a well-known patron of the arts and supported writers, actors and painters. The Crusader style in the arts was in the process of development, combining the motifs of Western Europe with those of the Church in the East and early Muslim works.
Once he was of age, Baldwin III asked to play an active role in the affairs of government. This led to a worsening of relations between mother and son which once again culminated in an internal political battle. The son spoke to the patriarchs of Jerusalem and demanded that his coronation take place in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, the traditional...
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