The Melisende Psalter

Anne McClanan, Professor of Medieval Art at Portland State University, created this video for students in her Art of War class, but shares it her for use by other people interested in the topic. Enjoy!
Video Editor: Anna Weltner

Though Queen Melisende's Psalter is probably not the earliest manuscript preserved from the Crusader Kingdom, it represents Crusading illumination of the early period at its best. From details within the psalter we know its place of origin to be the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, and we can also date it fairly accurately between 1131 and 1143.
Who was Queen Melisende?

Melisende (1105–c. 1160) was a Frankish princess. She and her husband, Fulk V of Anjou, became joint rulers of the Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem in 1131. However within a year she and her husband were at war – which Melisende and her supporters won. Thereafter she became a great patron of the arts, founding an abbey at Bethany and commissioning this magnificent psalter.

After Fulk's death Melisende became regent for her 13-year old son, later Baldwin III; however she had no intention of giving up power. In 1152 Baldwin demanded that the realm be divided between mother and son. Melisende ruled Judaea and Samaria and Baldwin the north. Perhaps surprisingly, she later acted as his closest advisor.

[jefficiency]

Terrific video; remarkable how well-preserved this treasure is!

[joanhamilton]

I am related to King Fulk so any bit of history about my ancestors is fantastic. Thank you

[angusewing]

I am a history student at the university Warwick and am writing a 3, 000 word primary source essay on the Melisende Psalter. Thanks so much for this video it is a great insight into this beautiful piece of art.

[Hamed_abd]

I'm a student to study the Arabic language. Please provide me with some sources and books that talk about Queen Melisende.