In the early 12th century, the Near East was a crucible of conflict and ambition as the First Crusade reshaped the political landscape. Among the many players vying for power and territory, one figure emerged to leave an indelible mark on history: Bertrand of Toulouse, the man who would capture the County of Tripoli in 1109 and become its first ruling count.
The Road to Tripoli
Bertrand’s path to power was paved by the ambitions of his father, Raymond IV of Toulouse, one of the wealthiest and most influential leaders of the First Crusade. Raymond had set his sights on Tripoli, recognizing its strategic importance as a link between the southern and northern Crusader states. In 1102, Raymond began his campaign by occupying Tortosa (modern-day Tartus) and preparing to lay siege to Tripoli itself.
The siege of Tripoli proved to be a formidable challenge. Raymond IV, demonstrating both military acumen and foresight, began construction of a massive fortress on a natural ridge just 3 kilometers from Tripoli. This stronghold, which he named “Mons Peregrinus” (Mount Pilgrim), would later become known as the Citadel of Tripoli. Despite these preparations and Raymond’s seasoned troops, the siege dragged on without success.
The siege of Tripoli was one of attrition, lasting over seven years. The Crusaders faced challenges in maintaining their blockade and securing reinforcements. Meanwhile, Tripoli’s ruler, Fakhr al-Mulk ibn Ammar, sought aid from neighboring Muslim powers but was largely unsuccessful due to political fragmentation within the Islamic world. His appeals to Damascus and Baghdad yielded no substantial military support as these regions were preoccupied with internal conflicts.
Fate intervened on February 25, 1105, when Raymond IV died, leaving the siege of Tripoli unfinished and the question of succession unresolved. This power vacuum set the stage for a complex struggle that would ultimately lead to Bertrand’s rise to power.
A Succession Crisis
In the wake of Raymond IV’s death, two claimants emerged to continue the Tripoli campaign. The first was Count William of Cerdagne, Raymond’s cousin, who enjoyed the support of Tancred, Prince of Galilee. The second was Bertrand of Toulouse, Raymond’s son, whose claim was complicated by rumors of illegitimacy.
This succession crisis threatened to derail the Crusaders’ efforts in Tripoli. William of Cerdagne, like Raymond before him, struggled to make progress in the siege, largely due to a lack of naval support.
By 1108, conditions within Tripoli had deteriorated significantly. Food shortages plagued the city as Crusader forces tightened their grip on supply routes. The stalemate persisted until 1109 when Bertrand arrived in the Levant, bringing with him a substantial army and, crucially, a large Genoese fleet.
Bertrand’s Arrival and the Council of Tripoli
Bertrand’s arrival in early 1109 marked a turning point in the Tripoli campaign. His forces, combined with the naval power of the Genoese, tipped the balance in favor of the Crusaders. However, the succession dispute between Bertrand and William of Cerdagne threatened to undermine this advantage.
Recognizing the need for unity, Baldwin I of Jerusalem intervened. In June 1109, he convened a council outside Tripoli to resolve the succession issue. The resulting agreement was a masterpiece of medieval diplomacy:
- Bertrand was to receive Jebail and Tripoli (once captured) under the suzerainty of Baldwin I.
- William of Cerdagne would retain Tortosa and Arqa.
- Upon the death of either claimant, the other would inherit his lands.
This compromise allowed the Crusaders to present a united front against Tripoli, setting the stage for the final assault.
The Fall of Tripoli
With the succession dispute temporarily resolved, the Crusaders turned their full attention to Tripoli. The combined Christian forces, bolstered by Bertrand’s army and the Genoese fleet, launched a determined assault on the city.
On July 12, 1109, after years of resistance, Tripoli fell to the combined forces of Bertrand, William-Jordan, and their allies from Jerusalem and Antioch. The city was sacked; its famed library containing approximately 100,000 volumes was burned as “impious,” symbolizing both cultural loss and religious zealotry. Many inhabitants were enslaved or expelled from the city.
The Egyptian fleet arrived too late to provide assistance to Tripoli’s defenders. With no reinforcements forthcoming, resistance collapsed entirely. This victory marked the completion of the Kingdom of Jerusalem and established the County of Tripoli as the fourth and final Crusader state in the Levant.
The Significance of Tripoli
The County of Tripoli served as a buffer state, helping to protect the Kingdom of Jerusalem from threats from the north. It also provided the Crusaders with a valuable port for trade and communication with Europe, enhancing their economic and military capabilities in the region.
Bertrand’s Rule and Legacy
The capture of Tripoli and the establishment of the county under Bertrand’s rule was a significant achievement for the Crusaders. Tripoli was a wealthy and strategically important port city, providing a crucial link between the northern Crusader states (the Principality of Antioch and the County of Edessa) and the Kingdom of Jerusalem to the south.
With the capture of Tripoli, Bertrand was installed as the first Count of Tripoli, ruling as a vassal of Baldwin I of Jerusalem. Tensions between Bertrand and William of Cerdagne persisted; however, this was resolved when William was mysteriously killed by an arrow through the heart – an event many claimed was murder. With his rival’s death, Bertrand inherited William’s territories in accordance with their earlier agreement, unifying the County of Tripoli under his rule.
Bertrand’s reign as Count of Tripoli was relatively short-lived. He ruled until his death in 1112, just three years after capturing the city. Despite the brevity of his rule, Bertrand’s capture of Tripoli and establishment of the county had far-reaching consequences for the Crusader states and the balance of power in the Levant.
The Legacy of the County of Tripoli
The County of Tripoli, founded by Bertrand, would endure for nearly two centuries, outlasting both the County of Edessa and the Principality of Antioch. It became an important center of Crusader culture and politics in the Levant, playing a significant role in the complex web of alliances and conflicts that characterized the Crusader era.
The county’s history was marked by periods of both independence and close alignment with the Kingdom of Jerusalem. Bertrand’s successors would continue to navigate the complex political landscape of the Crusader states, balancing their own ambitions with the need for unity against external threats. For example, Bertrand’s son and successor, Pons, would later rebel against two kings of Jerusalem – Baldwin II in 1122 and Fulk of Anjou in 1132 – in an attempt to assert Tripoli’s independence from Jerusalem’s influence.
The Fall of the County of Tripoli
The County of Tripoli, like the other Crusader states, eventually succumbed to the resurgent power of Islam in the region. In 1289, nearly two centuries after Bertrand’s capture of the city, Tripoli fell to the Mamluk Sultan Qalawun. This marked the end of Crusader rule in Tripoli and the absorption of the county into the Mamluk Sultanate.
