Damascus

The so called Second Crusade in which Louis VII of France participated attacked Damascus and failed. What if Damascus had actually been captured? Would it have been given to the Kingdom of Jerusalem or become a separate principality?
 
The so called Second Crusade in which Louis VII of France participated attacked Damascus and failed. What if Damascus had actually been captured? Would it have been given to the Kingdom of Jerusalem or become a separate principality?

Possibly a new Duchy/Principality. Enough nobles in Western Europe willing to take it.
 
Why not a new Kingdom?

Just thinking out loud here: because then it would seem to elevate Damascus to a level of parity with Jerusalem. Even Antioch - arguably the second city of Christendom - only got a principality.

It might also depend on the size of the area conquered. However, I'm not sure that the pope would grant a second royal crown in the Levant. Might be seen to detract from the kingdom of Jerusalem's "unique" status in the Holy Land
 
My guess Damascus would have been a new duchy or principality, but it would have the same problems as the Principality of Edessa, and this time no native Christians to fall back on.
 
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