Assassination of Conrad of Montferrat (Conrad I), King of Jerusalem, in Tyre, two days after his title to the throne is confirmed by election. The killing is carried out by Hashshashin.

Conrad of Montferrat, known in Italian as Corrado del Monferrato and in Piedmontese as Conrà ëd Monfrà, was a towering figure in the late 12th century. Born into the esteemed Aleramic dynasty, Marquesses of Montferrat in Piedmont, Italy, he was a nobleman whose destiny would become intricately linked with the tumultuous events of the Third Crusade. His life, marked by strategic brilliance, political intrigue, and a dramatic end, left an indelible, if controversial, mark on the history of the Crusader states in the Near East.

A Nobleman's Journey to the Holy Land

As a member of a prominent family with a history of involvement in the Crusades, Conrad was no stranger to military and political affairs. His elder brother, William Longsword, had even been the first husband of Sibylla, Queen of Jerusalem, and father of Baldwin V. Conrad himself arrived in the Latin East in 1187, a critical juncture following Saladin's decisive victory at the Battle of Hattin and the subsequent fall of Jerusalem. It was a time when the remnants of the Crusader kingdom faced an existential threat, and strong leadership was desperately needed.

Upon his arrival, Conrad quickly distinguished himself. He found the city of Tyre under siege by Saladin's forces, its defenders demoralized and on the verge of surrender. With remarkable leadership and tactical acumen, Conrad rallied the remaining forces, reinforced the city's defenses, and successfully repelled Saladin's formidable army. This pivotal defense not only saved Tyre, one of the last crucial coastal strongholds, but also established Conrad as a military hero and a formidable political force in Outremer, the Crusader territories.

The Contested Crown of Jerusalem

Conrad’s strategic importance grew, leading him into the heart of the political struggles for the Kingdom of Jerusalem. The succession to the throne was a complex and contentious issue, particularly after the death of Queen Sibylla and her young son, Baldwin V. The legitimate heiress was Isabella I, Sibylla’s half-sister. However, Isabella was already married to Humphrey IV of Toron, a union that many found politically weak in such perilous times.

In a bold and controversial move, Conrad married Isabella I on 24 November 1190. This marriage, following the annulment of Isabella's previous union, was engineered to strengthen the claim to the throne with a more capable leader, a role Conrad was widely seen to fill. From this point, Conrad became the de facto King of Jerusalem (as Conrad I), ruling effectively by virtue of his marriage and his proven ability to defend the kingdom. This placed him in direct opposition to Guy of Lusignan, the defeated King who still held a claim to the throne, and later, the powerful Richard the Lionheart, King of England, who arrived with the Third Crusade.

The rivalry between Conrad and Guy, and the involvement of the European monarchs, particularly Richard I, created significant internal strife within the Crusader camp. Eventually, faced with the overwhelming support for Conrad among the local barons, a compromise was reached. In 1192, a council of the kingdom's barons, with the backing of Richard the Lionheart, officially elected Conrad as the rightful King of Jerusalem. This election finally solidified his claim, transforming his de facto rule into a fully legitimate one.

Marquess of Montferrat and a Tragic End

Even as he was contending for the throne of Jerusalem, Conrad also inherited his family's ancestral title. In 1191, he became the eighth Marquess of Montferrat, an important sign of his continued standing within the European nobility. However, his reign as the officially elected King of Jerusalem was tragically short-lived. Just days after his election in 1192, on 28 April, Conrad was assassinated in Tyre by two members of the feared Hashashin (Assassins). The exact motivations behind his murder remain one of history's enduring mysteries, with various theories implicating figures ranging from Richard I to Saladin, though no definitive proof has ever emerged. His death plunged the Crusader states back into a period of uncertainty, even as the Third Crusade was still in progress.

Frequently Asked Questions about Conrad of Montferrat

What was Conrad of Montferrat's main historical significance?
Conrad of Montferrat was a crucial nobleman and military leader during the Third Crusade. He is most significant for his pivotal defense of Tyre against Saladin, and for becoming the King of Jerusalem, albeit briefly and controversially, during a critical period for the Crusader states.
How did Conrad become King of Jerusalem?
He became de facto King by marrying Isabella I of Jerusalem on 24 November 1190, the legitimate heiress to the throne, after her previous marriage was annulled. He then ruled effectively due to his military and political strength. He was officially elected King by the barons of Jerusalem in 1192, just days before his death, solidifying his legal claim.
What was his role in the Third Crusade?
Conrad was a major participant. His most notable contribution was the successful defense of Tyre in 1187, which became a vital base for the arriving forces of the Third Crusade. He also played a key political role, often at odds with other Crusader leaders like Guy of Lusignan and Richard I of England, in determining the future of the Kingdom of Jerusalem.
Who was Isabella I of Jerusalem?
Isabella I was the Queen of Jerusalem from 1190 until her death in 1205. She was the daughter of King Amalric I of Jerusalem and Maria Comnena. Her marriage to Conrad of Montferrat was politically instrumental in establishing his claim to the throne, and she later married other prominent figures in the Crusader states.
How did Conrad of Montferrat die?
Conrad was assassinated on 28 April 1192 in Tyre by two members of the Hashashin (Assassins). The true instigators of his murder have never been conclusively identified, leading to centuries of historical debate and speculation.