A vassal state or county of the kingdom of Jerusalem from 1109, when the city of Tripolis is captured by the crusaders and Raymond of Toulouse placed at its head. The Christians rule until 1289, when it falls into the hands of Kalaun, the sultan of Egypt, who destroys the city.
THE COUNTY OF EDESSA (1097-1146 A.D.)
In 1097 Baldwin I, brother of Godfrey de Bouillon, in consequence of a quarrel with Tancred, leaves the main body of the crusaders, conquers Edessa, and founds the vassal state of that name.
1100 Baldwin, made king of Jerusalem, gives Edessa to his cousin, Baldwin (II) de Bourg.
1118 Baldwin II is made king of Jerusalem and Jocelyn (I) de Courtenai takes his place in the county of Edessa. He wins many victories over the Saracens.
1131 Jocelyn II succeeds.
1144 Capture of Edessa by Zenki, emir of Mosul.
1146 Jocelyn regains Edessa, but the same year Nur ad-Din, Zenki’s son and successor, retakes and destroys it. End of the county of Edessa. On account of this event Bernard of Clairvaux preaches.
THE SECOND CRUSADE (1147-1149 A.D.)
1146 In the council of Vézelay, Louis VII of France assumes the cross; the emperor, Conrad III, follows his example some months later.