WI Sibylla of Jerusalem marries Baldwin d'Ibelin in 1180?

[Don_Giorgio]

At Easter 1180, Raymond III of Tripoli and Bohemund of Antioch entered the kingdom in force, with the intent of imposing a husband of their own choice, probably Baldwin of Ibelin, on Sibylla. However, a foreign match was essential to the kingdom, bringing the possibility of external military aid. Baldwin IV himself arranged the marriage to Guy, whose brother Amalric, well-regarded and able, had first come to court as Baldwin of Ibelin's son-in-law and was now Constable of Jerusalem. With the new French king Philippe II a minor, Guy's status as a vassal of the King and Sibylla's first cousin Henry II of England - who owed the Pope a penitential pilgrimage - was useful in terms of offering a source of external help.
WI Raymond's coup was successfull and Sibylla was married to Baldwin d'Ibelin instead of Guy de Lusignan? How is this altering History?
Any thoughts?

 

[el t]

Sibylla.

I see a greater role for Raymound of Tripoli and less factional in-fighting at court. The native barons would have welcomed this marriage, especially when it was obvious that Baldwin V could not live. It is possible that the kingdom could have avoided Hattin, but it is hard to say how long it could have held out against the over-whelming strength of Saladin.

 

[Paladin]

I seem to recall rumors of an affair between them, anyway, so it's not entirely unfeasable. For what it's worth, Baldwin would make a far better king then Guy (then again, that's not really hard to do). The whole Third Crusade would probably be butterflied away, as well as the crusades after that.

 

[Don_Giorgio]

I agree... Baldwin d'Ibelin was far better military commander than Guy de Lusignan... But he would have Raynald de Chatillon messing around and being a pain in the ass for him... If Baldwin couldnt have avoided Hattin he could have handled it better though...

 

[Matthais Corvinus]

Richard the Lionheated might end up going on a pilgrimage anyway, perhaps resurrecting old dreams of a Crusader take-over of Egypt or targeting Saladin's possessions at Aleppo or Damascus?

 

[Don_Giorgio]

Richard the Lionheated might end up going on a pilgrimage anyway, perhaps resurrecting old dreams of a Crusader take-over of Egypt or targeting Saladin's possessions at Aleppo or Damascus?

Indeed but without a "european" marriage for Sibylla no foreign monarch would care about Kingdom of Jerusalem (unless forced by the Pope)
Baldwin would be a competent King capable of making Crusader States to survive a little longer...

 

[Matthais Corvinus]

Indeed but without a "european" marriage for Sibylla no foreign monarch would care about Kingdom of Jerusalem (unless forced by the Pope)
Baldwin would be a competent King capable of making Crusader States to survive a little longer...

There will always be interest in Jerusalem. Its the most holy city in Christiandom, the birthplace of Christ is down the road, and thus there will be pilgrimages to the city regardless of whether or not there are foreign matches made between the Jerusalem Royals and European nobility.

There were many European lords over the course of the Christian occupation of Jerusalem who traveled to the city, went to the holy places, participated in a military campaign or two, then went home. Richard the Lionhearted would simply be the most powerful lord to have visited Jerusalem since the Kings of Germany and France in 1148.

 

[Don_Giorgio]

There will always be interest in Jerusalem. Its the most holy city in Christiandom, the birthplace of Christ is down the road, and thus there will be pilgrimages to the city regardless of whether or not there are foreign matches made between the Jerusalem Royals and European nobility.

There were many European lords over the course of the Christian occupation of Jerusalem who traveled to the city, went to the holy places, participated in a military campaign or two, then went home. Richard the Lionhearted would simply be the most powerful lord to have visited Jerusalem since the Kings of Germany and France in 1148.

How about the local nobles offer Crown of Jerusalem to Richard? He was the closest blood relative to the Royal family and he had the power to defend the realm...