Between Byzantium and Jerusalem? The principality of Antioch, Renaud of Châtillon, and the penance of Mamistra in 1158

Abstract

In the summer of 1158, Manuel I Komnenos, emperor of Byzantium, brought a large force into Cilicia to quell Armenian resistance and to seek retribution for an attack launched on the Byzantine island of Cyprus by Renaud of Châtillon, prince of Antioch. In haste, Renaud came to the city of Mamistra, and performed a humiliating penance before agreeing to imperial overlordship. Historians have long conceived of this act as one forced on Renaud by Manuel and King Baldwin III of Jerusalem, and as marking the creation of a political condominium, which divided Antioch between these two rulers. This article seeks to challenge the established opinion by drawing attention to the diplomatic skill demonstrated by the Antiochenes, and the independence with which they pursued and secured close and favourable ties to Byzantium.

Keywords:

• Antioch (principality)
• Manuel I Komnenos (Byzantine emperor)
• Baudouin III, king of Jerusalem
• Renaud de Châtillon, prince of Antioch
• diplomacy
• settlement of disputes

Acknowledgements

Versions of this paper were given in Oxford, London and Leeds. I would like to express my gratitude to the audiences there for their comments and to Prof. Bernard Hamilton, Dr Thomas Asbridge and Stephen Spencer, for their help in producing this article.

Notes

1. William of Tyre, Chronicon, 18.23, 844–5: Latinitatis gloriam verteret in obprobrium.

2. Ibid., Chronicon, 18.23–5, 844–9; “L’estoire de Eracles,” vol. 2, 232–3; Kinnamos, Epitome, 178–91 (Brand, Deeds, 137–45); Choniates, Historia, 102–10 (Magoulias, O City, 59–63); Michael the Syrian, Chronique, vol. 3, 316; Anonymi Auctoris Chronicon, vol. 2, 119; Gregory the Priest, “Continuation,” 272–5; Nersessian, “Chronicle,” 147–9.

3. Cahen, Syrie, 399–402. See also Grousset, Histoire, vol. 2, 380–404.

4. Lilie, Byzantium, 175–83; Magdalino, Empire, 67–71; Chalandon, Jean et Manuel, vol. 2, 438–55; Elisséeff, Nūr ad-Dīn, vol. 2, 534–5; Phillips, Defenders, 132–9; Harris, Byzantium, 112–16.

5. Asbridge, Creation, 92–4; Pryor, “Oaths.”

6. Pryor and Jeffreys, “Alexios”.

7. Komnene, Alexias, vol. 1, 412–23 (Sewter and Frankopan, The Alexiad, 385–96).

8. For this period, see generally Cahen, Syrie, 227–82; Asbridge, Creation, 92–103; Lilie, Byzantium, 1–95; Harris, Byzantium, 59–85.

9. Kinnamos, Epitome, 16 (Brand, Deeds, 22).

10. William of Tyre, Chronicon, 14. 30, 670–1; 15.1–5, 674–81; Orderic Vitalis, Ecclesiastical History, vol. 6, 505; Kinnamos, Epitome, 16–22 (Brand, Deeds, 21–5); Choniates, Historia, 21–32 (Magoulias, O City, 13–8); Michael the Syrian, Chronique, vol. 3, 245; Anonymi Auctoris Chronicon, vol. 2, 81–6; Gregory the Priest, “Continuation,” 241; Ibn al-Qalanisi, Chronicle, 244–52; Al-Azimi, “Chronique,” 138–43; Ibn al-Adim, “Chronique,” 673–8; Ibn al-Athir, Chronicle, vol. 1, 339–42.

11. William of Tyre, Chronicon, 15.19, 700–1; Otto of Freising, Chronica, 354; Kinnamos, Epitome, 22–31 (Brand, Deeds, 26–33); Choniates, Historia, 38–47 (Magoulias, O City, 22–7);

12. For this period, see Cahen, Syrie, 357–68; Lilie, Byzantium, 96–141; Chalandon, Jean et Manuel, vol. 1, 121–33, 183–98; Phillips, Defenders, 61–71; Harris, Byzantium, 85–97; Augé, Byzantins, 269–77; Pernell, “John II Comnenus.” See also Buck, “On the Frontier,” 233–46.

13. Kinnamos, Epitome, 33–5 (Brand, Deeds, 35–6); Choniates, Historia, 52 (Magoulias, O City, 31).

14. Kinnamos, Epitome, 35 (Brand, Deeds, 36); Michael the Syrian, Chronique, vol. 3, 267. On the Byzantine use of liege homage, see Pryor and Jeffreys, “Alexios,” 62.

15. Kinnamos, Epitome, 122–3, 178 (Brand, Deeds, 96–7, 136).

16. William of Tyre, Chronicon, 18.10, 824; Michael the Syrian, Chronique, vol. 3, 314.

17. This likely included Baghras, Darbsak, La Roche de Roissel and La Roche Guillaume. See Chevalier, Les Ordres, 56–8.

18. William of Tyre, Chronicon, 18.10, 824–5; Kinnamos, Epitome, 178–80 (Brand, Deeds, 136–7); Michael the Syrian, Chronique, vol. 3, pp. 314–5; Gregory the Priest, “Continuation,” 272–5; Sempad the Constable, “Chronique du royaume,” 621. See also Chalandon, Jean et Manuel, vol. 2, 435–8; Cahen, Syrie, 392; Lilie, Byzantium, 168–9; Magdalino, Empire, 67; Harris, Byzantium, 112–13; Augé, Byzantins, 277–80; Chevalier, Les Ordres, 61–8.

19. William of Tyre, Chronicon, 18.22, 842–4; Gregory the Priest, “Continuation,” 272–3.

20. For an overview of this period, see Cahen, Syrie, 368, 371–2, 387–9; Chalandon, Jean et Manuel, vol. 2, 417–26; Lilie, Byzantium, 142–5, 163–6; Harris, Byzantium, 112–6; Magdalino, Empire, 41–2, 66–7; Buck, “On the Frontier,” 247–52.

21. William of Tyre, Chronicon, 18.23, 844–5; Kinnamos, Epitome 178–84 (Brand, Deeds, 137–40); Choniates, Historia, 102–10 (Magoulias, O City, 59–63); Michael the Syrian, Chronique, vol. 3, 316; Anonymi Auctoris Chronicon, vol. 2, 119; Gregory the Priest, “Continuation,” 272–5; Nersessian, “Chronicle,” 147–9.

22. William of Tyre, Chronicon, 18.23, 844–5: cum summa ignominia et populi nostri confusione imperiali reconciliatus est excellentie. Nudis enim, ut dicitur, pedibus, indutus laneis, manicis usque ad cubitum decurtatis, fune circa collum religato, gladium habens in manu nudum, quem mucrone tenens cuius capulum domino imperatori porrigeret, coram universis legionibus domino imperatori presentatus est ibique ante pedes eius ad terram prostratus, tradito domino imperatori gladio. See also Kinnamos, Epitome, 181–7 (Brand, Deeds, 139–42).

23. William of Tyre, Chronicon, 18.23–4, 844–7; Kinnamos, Epitome, 178–91 (Brand, Deeds, 137–45); Choniates, Historia, 102–10 (Magoulias, O City, 59–63). The demand for a Greek patriarch was first made at Devol in 1108, and repeated in 1137, but was not seemingly pushed with any greater vigour until Manuel’s appointment in 1161 of a titular prelate, Athanasius who was successfully implanted within Antioch in 1165. See Hamilton, “Three Patriarchs.”

24. William of Tyre, Chronicon, 18.23, 844–5; Kinnamos, Epitome, 181–7 (Brand, Deeds, 139–42).

25. William of Tyre, Chronicon, 18.25, 847–9; Kinnamos, Epitome, 178–91 (Brand, Deeds, 137–45; Choniates, Historia, 102–10 (Magoulias, O City, 59–63); Michael the Syrian, Chronique, vol. 3, 316; Anonymi Auctoris Chronicon, vol. 2, 119; Gregory the Priest, “Continuation,” 272–5; Nersessian, “Chronicle,” 147–9.

26. Chalandon, Jean et Manuel, vol. 2, 438–55; Cahen, Syrie, 399–402; Lilie, Byzantium, 175–83; Magdalino, Empire, 67–71; Harris, Byzantium, 112–6; Augé, Byzantins, 108–13, 277–86.

27. Harris, Byzantium, 112–6; Magdalino, Empire, 67–71.

28. Hamilton, Practice of Penance, 174–5.

29. Kinnamos, Epitome, 35 (Brand, Deeds, 36); Michael the Syrian, Chronique, vol. 3, 267.

30. Koziol, Begging Pardon, 181–7; Benham, Peacemaking, 96–106; Cheyette, “Suum cuique tribuere.” See also Friedman, “Gestures.”

31. Benham, Peacemaking, 96.

32. Ibid., 96–7.

33. Ibid., 97.

34. Magdalino, Empire, 67–71; Chalandon, Jean et Manuel, vol. 2, 438–55; Cahen, Syrie, 399–402; Elisséeff, Nūr ad-Dīn, vol. 2, 534–5; Lilie, Byzantium, 175–83.

35. Gregory the Priest, “Continuation,” 272–4.

36. William of Tyre, Chronicon, 18.23, 844–5.

37. Edbury and Rowe, William of Tyre, 13–22.

38. William of Tyre, Chronicon, 18.23, 844–5: ut nec domini regis, quem tamen in proximo venturum sperabat, vellet expectare presentiam, cum tamen certo certius nosse poterat eius interventione et studio, et maxime nove affinitatis gratia, in causa predicta longe meliores se inventurum conditiones.

39. Edbury and Rowe, William of Tyre, 61–108, 130–50; Hamilton, “William of Tyre”; Handyside, “Differing Views.”

40. “L’estoire de Eracles,” vol. 2, 232: li loa que sanz delai il s’en alast encontre l’Empereur qui estoit encore en Cilicie, et li criast merci mout humblement; car il cognoissoit les Grieus de tel maniere que il estoient bobancier, et ne queroient autre chose fors ce que l’en leur feist enneur par dehors.

41. Kinnamos, Epitome, 181–7 (Brand, Deeds, 139–42).

42. The exact date of Baldwin’s arrival in Antioch is unknown as no royal charters survive from 1158, though the presence of his brother Amalric, who William of Tyre said accompanied the king, in Ascalon on 14 November 1158, suggests it would have been after this date. See William of Tyre, Chronicon, 18.23, 844–5; Mayer and Richard, Die Urkunden, vol. 2, 523–4, no. 296,

43. Magdalino, Empire, 67–71. See also Chalandon, Jean et Manuel, vol. 2, 438–55; Cahen, Syrie, 399–402; Elisséeff, Nūr ad-Dīn, vol. 2, 534–5; Lilie, Byzantium, 175–83.

44. For Ager Sanguinis, see Asbridge, Creation, 81–9, 126–8; Mayer, “Jérusalem.” For Inab, see Cahen, Syrie, 384–406; Mayer, Varia, 48; Jotischky, Crusading, 91–2; Asbridge, Crusades, 239–45; Mallett, “Battle of Inab.”

45. Buck, “On the Frontier,” 279–92.

46. See notes 7 and 10.

47. Phillips, Defenders, 270–81.

48. Kinnamos, Epitome, 181–7 (Brand, Deeds, 139–42); Gregory the Priest, “Continuation,” 272–5.

49. William of Tyre, Chronicon, 18.24, 846–7: ut regem moneant et invitent ut ad eum venire non pigritetur…imperii dilectissimum filium.

50. Kinnamos, Epitome, 181–7 (Brand, Deeds, 139–42).

51. William of Tyre, Chronicon, 18.23–5, 844–9; Kinnamos, Epitome, 178–91 (Brand, Deeds, 137–45).

52. William of Tyre, Chronicon, 18.25, 847–9; Nersessian, “Chronicle,” 147–9; Kinnamos, Epitome, 178–91 (Brand, Deeds, 137–45); Choniates, Historia, 102–10 (Magoulias, O City, 59–63); Anonymi Auctoris Chronicon, vol. 2, 119. Not all sources noted the triumph; see Gregory the Priest, “Continuation,” 272–5; Michael the Syrian, Chronique, vol. 3, 316. On William and Sempad, see Nersessian, “Chronicle,” 141–9.

53. Metcalf, Coinage, 140–2. See also O’Hara, “Possible Coinage.”

54. Chalandon, Jean et Manuel, vol. 2, 438–55; Elisséeff, Nūr ad-Dīn, vol. 2, 534–5.

55. Augé, Byzantins, 277–86; Phillips, Defenders, 132–9.

56. Magdalino, Empire, 67–71; Harris, Byzantium, 112–16. See also Chalandon, Jean et Manuel, vol. 2, 438–55; Cahen, Syrie, 399–402; Elisséeff, Nūr ad-Dīn, vol. 2, 534–45; Lilie, Byzantium, 175–83; Augé, Byzantins, 108–13, 277–86.

57. Kinnamos, Epitome, 181–7 (Brand, Deeds, 139–42). See also Lilie, Byzantium, 167–8.

58. William of Tyre, Chronicon, 18.24–5, 846–9; Kinnamos, Epitome, 178–91 (Brand, Deeds, 137–45); Choniates, Historia, 102–10 (Magoulias, O City, 59–63); Ibn al-Qalanisi, Chronicle, 353–5; Abu Shama, ‘Livre’, vol. 4, 102–5; Gregory the Priest, “Continuation,” 272–5; Nersessian, “Chronicle,” 147–9; Michael the Syrian, Chronique, vol. 3, 316; Anonymi Auctoris Chronicon, vol. 2, 119.

59. William of Tyre, Chronicon, 18.23, 844–5; Kinnamos, Epitome, 182 (Brand, Deeds, 139): πολέμῳ γὰρ μᾶλλου ἢ δόλῳ περιγευέσϑαι ἢϑελε.

60. Magdalino, Empire, 41–108.

61. Vincent, “Pilgrimages.”

62. Kinnamos, Epitome, 199–201 (Brand, Deeds, 151–2).

63. Chalandon, Jean et Manuel, vol. 2, 517–8; Cahen, Syrie, 405–7; Elisséeff, Nūr ad-Dīn, vol. 2, 545–6; Lilie, Byzantium, 183–4; Augé, Byzantins, 285–6.

64. Mayer and Richard, Die Urkunden, vol. 1, 455–77, nos. 248–61; Delaville Le Roulx, Cartulaire Général, vol. 1, 209, no. 280; Paoli, Codice Diplomatico, vol. 1, 206–7, no. 163.

65. Kinnamos, Epitome, 202–4 (Brand, Deeds, 154–5).

66. William of Tyre, Chronicon, 18.30, 854–6: Tandem de universorum principum favore et consensu placuit ut de sanguine tuo, quem unice diligit nostrum imperium, nobis in consortium iungamus imperii, et utram consobrinarum tuarum, seu illustris viri Tripolitani comitis sororem sue magnifici viri Antiocheni principis germanam iuniorem, nobis elegeris, nos, pro tua optione sinceritati tue omnem fidem habentes. On Renaud’s capture, see Louis VII, “Epistolarum,” 27–8; William of Tyre, Chronicon, 18.28, 851–2; Robert of Torigny, “Chronicle,” 214; Ibn al-Adim, “L’histoire,” 533; Michael the Syrian, Chronique, vol. 3, 319; Anonymi Auctoris Chronicon, vol. 2, 119; Gregory the Priest, “Continuation,” 278–9.

67. William of Tyre, Chronicon, 18.30, 854–6.

68. Aerts, “Traveller,” 172–219; Kinnamos, Epitome, 202–11 (Brand, Deeds, 154–60).

69. Choniates, Historia, 115–6 (Magoulias, O City, 65–66); Sempad the Constable, Chronique attribuée, 45–9.

70. Magdalino, Empire, 71–2; Chalandon, Jean et Manuel, vol. 2, 518–24; Cahen, Syrie, 405–7; Lilie, Byzantium, 182–9; Mayer, Varia, 45–54.

71. William of Tyre, Chronicon, 18.30–1, 854–7; Aerts, “Traveller,” 172–219; Kinnamos, Epitome, 202–11 (Brand, Deeds, 154–60).

72. William of Tyre, Chronicon, 18.31, 856–7: cotidianum et familiarem…tractatum.

73. Ibid., 18.31, 856–7.

74. Mayer and Richard, Die Urkunden, vol. 1, 479–86, no. 263.

75. Mayer, Varia, 45–54.

76. Magdalino, Empire, 71–2. See also Chalandon, Jean et Manuel, vol. 2, 518–24; Cahen, Syrie, 405–7; Lilie, Byzantium, 182–9.

77. Augé, “Les Comnènes.”

78. William of Tyre, Chronicon, 18.32, 858.

79. Ibid., 18.30–1, 854–7. Doubts over Baldwin’s success derive from the fact that Constance’s son Bohemond III had to force his way into power against his mother in 1163. See Mayer, Varia, 55–64.

80. Marcovich, “Itinerary.” See also Aerts, “Traveller,” 165–71, 179–81; Jeffreys, Byzantine Novels, 273–4.

81. Horna, “Hodoiporikon,” 313–20.

82. Alexios II succeeded his father in 1180, with Maria of Antioch his regent, but both were murdered when Andronikos Komnenos (1183–85) seized power. See Harris, Byzantium, 121–32.

83. Choniates, Historia, 169–70, 180–1 (Magoulias, O City, 96, 102).