Editing Baldwin III of Jerusalem (section)

==Civil war==
By 1152 Baldwin had been of age to rule by himself for seven years, and he began to assert himself in political affairs. Though he had not previously expressed an interest in the administration of the country, he now demanded more authority. He and his mother had become increasingly estranged since 1150, and Baldwin blamed the constable Manasses for interfering with his legal succession. In early 1152 Baldwin demanded a second coronation from [[Patriarch Fulcher]], separate from his mother. The patriarch refused and as a kind of self-coronation Baldwin paraded through the city streets with laurel wreaths on his head.<ref name="images.library.wisc.edu" />

Baldwin and Melisende agreed to put the matter before the ''[[Haute Cour of Jerusalem|Haute Cour]]'', or royal council. The ''Haute Cour'' returned a decision that would divide the kingdom into two administrative districts. Baldwin would retain [[Galilee]] in the north, including the cities of [[Acre (city)|Acre]] and [[Tyre (Lebanon)|Tyre]], while Melisende held the richer [[Judea]] and [[Samaria]], including [[Nablus]] and Jerusalem itself. Supporting Melisende in the south were [[Manasses of Hierges]], and Baldwin's younger brother [[Amalric I of Jerusalem|Amalric]], who held the [[County of Jaffa]] within Melisende's jurisdiction. Neither Baldwin nor Melisende were pleased with the decision, as Baldwin wanted to rule the entire kingdom and realized it would divide the country's resources, but in order to prevent a civil war Melisende agreed to the compromise.<ref name=":0" />

Within weeks of the division Baldwin launched an invasion of the south. Manasses was defeated at the castle of [[Mirabel (castle)|Mirabel]] and exiled, and Nablus fell quickly as well. To prevent further violence, Jerusalem opened its gates to Baldwin. Melisende and Amalric sought refuge in the [[Tower of David]]. Throughout the siege the church negotiated with Baldwin. The peace that was settled allowed for Melisende to hold Nablus for life, with a solemn oath by Baldwin not to disturb her peace. Baldwin named his supporter [[Humphrey II of Toron]] as the new constable.<ref name=":0" />

By 1154 mother and son were reconciled, as Baldwin was astute enough to realize his mother's expertise in statecraft. At the same time, he asserted his authority over the kingdom's nobles.<ref>"...In 549/1154 Nur al-Dln ZengI, whose father's conquest of Edessa had set off the crusade, seized Damascus as a result of it. He then organized a state devoted to the prosecution of the war against the Kingdom of Jerusalem.2 '''At the same time Baldwin III asserted his power over his nobles, making the kingdom more dangerous to its rivals'''". Cambridge University Press, 1999, page 213.</ref> Though she was "retired", she maintained great influence in court and government affairs, acting as regent for Baldwin while he was on campaign.