Editing Raymond of Poitiers (section)

==Assuming control==
Following the death of Prince [[Bohemund II of Antioch]] in 1130, the principality came under the [[Regent|regency]] first of King [[Baldwin II of Jerusalem|Baldwin II]] (1130–31), then King [[Fulk of Jerusalem|Fulk]] (1131–35), and finally Princess [[Alice of Antioch|Alice]] (1135–36), Bohemond's widow. The reigning princess was Bohemond II's daughter, [[Constance of Antioch|Constance]] (born 1127). Against the wishes of Alice, a marriage was arranged for Constance with Raymond, at the time staying in England, which he left only after the death of [[Henry I of England|Henry I]] on 1 December 1135.{{sfn|Hamilton|1984|p=8}}

Upon hearing word that Raymond was going to pass through his lands in order to marry the princess of Antioch, King [[Roger II of Sicily]] ordered him arrested. By a series of subterfuges, Raymond passed through southern Italy and only arrived at Antioch after 19 April 1136.{{sfn|Hamilton|1984|p=8}} Patriarch [[Ralph of Domfront]] then convinced Alice that Raymond was there to marry her, whereupon she allowed him to enter Antioch (whose loyal garrison had refused him entry) and the patriarch married him to Constance. Alice then left the city, now under the control of Raymond and Ralph.{{sfn|Hamilton|1984|p=9}}

The first years of their joint rule were spent in conflicts with the [[Byzantine Emperor]] [[John II Comnenus]], who had come south partly to recover [[Cilicia]] from [[Leo I, Prince of Armenia|Leo of Armenia]], and to reassert his rights over Antioch. Raymond was forced to pay homage, and even to promise to cede his principality as soon as he was recompensed by a new [[Fiefdom|fief]], which John promised to carve out for him in the Muslim territory to the east of Antioch. The expedition of 1138, in which Raymond joined with John, and which was to conquer this territory, proved a failure. The expedition culminated in the unsuccessful [[Siege of Shaizar]]. Raymond was not anxious to help the emperor to acquire new territories, when their acquisition only meant for him the loss of Antioch. John Comnenus returned unsuccessful to Constantinople, after demanding from Raymond, without response, the surrender of the [[citadel]] of Antioch.