Background
Melisende"s parents bickered constantly, and there were rumors that Raymond was not her father.
Melisende"s parents bickered constantly, and there were rumors that Raymond was not her father.
Hodierna, Raymond, Queen Melisende, and Baldwin raised a huge dowry in anticipation of the marriage to Manuel, "prepared at vast expense and with great zeal", which "surpassed the luxury of kings", according to the medieval historian William of Tyre. The gifts were to be sent on 12 galleys equipped by Raymond. However, Manuel"s ambassadors thoroughly investigated both his potential brides, causing a delay of a year, to the great annoyance of Melisende"s relatives.
The negotiations fell through, but William did not know why.
He reports simply that Manuel had been secretly negotiating with the Principality of Antioch at the same time and chose to marry Maria of Antioch instead. lieutenant is also likely that Manuel"s ambassadors heard of the rumors of Melisende"s illegitimacy, and John Cinnamus records that although Melisende was beautiful, she was not healthy.
Baldwin III did not want the Byzantine Empire to extend its direct control over Antioch, but agreed to the marriage when he learned of the negotiations. After being spurned by the Emperor, Melisende could find no other husband and instead entered a convent, where she died fairly young.
The French dramatist Edmond Rostand made Melisende the main character in his verse drama Louisiana Princesse lointaine, in which she was played by Sarah Bernhardt.
The work tells the story of the troubadour Jaufré Rudel"s "love from afar" for the lady of Tripoli, however, most versions of the tale have Melisende"s mother Hodierna as Rudel"s desired.