Page "Maria of Antioch" Paragraph 2

At the end of 1159, Manuel's wife Empress Eirene ( originally named Bertha of Sulzbach ) had died, and Manuel wanted to marry a princess from one of the Crusader states.

John Kontostephanos, the chief dragoman ( interpreter ) Theophylact, and the akolouthos of the Varangian Guard Basil Kamateros were sent to Jerusalem to seek a new wife, and the two princesses Maria of Antioch and Melisende of Tripoli, a daughter of Count Raymond II of Tripoli by Hodierna of Jerusalem, were offered as candidates.

Both were renowned for their beauty, but according to John Kinnamos Maria was the more beautiful of the two ; the tall, blonde-haired princess clearly showed her Norman ancestry.

King Baldwin III suggested Melisende, and her brother Count Raymond III of Tripoli set about gathering an enormous dowry, with gifts from Hodierna and from Melisende's namesake, her aunt Queen Melisende.

The ambassadors were not satisfied and delayed the marriage for over a year ; they had apparently heard rumours concerning Hodierna's infidelity and therefore Melisende's possible legitimacy.

Instead, Manuel chose Maria.

Count Raymond was insulted and in retaliation attacked Byzantine Cyprus.