Chapter 158: Chapter 158 - The King’s Envoys
Date: May 18th, 1181 — Jerusalem
The late morning sun of Jerusalem poured through the arched windows of the royal audience chamber, casting narrow beams of gold across the flagstones. The winter air was cool enough that braziers had been lit in the corners, their faint smoke winding toward the ceiling’s carved cedar beams. Outside, the clamor of the marketplace mixed with the tolling of church bells, but here, within the palace walls, a sense of expectancy hung like a drawn bowstring.
Baldwin IV sat in the high-backed chair beneath the banner of the Kingdom of Jerusalem, its golden cross vivid against white silk. His leper’s gloves were drawn neatly over his hands, the fingers slightly stiff as he rested them on the arms of the chair. Balian of Ibelin and Brother Gerard stood at his right, silent but attentive. They had returned days ago from Sicily, their reports already heard in private, but now came the next stage — the appointment of envoys to sail to Palermo and conclude the marriage negotiations.
The doors opened, and the King’s chosen men filed in, each bowing deeply before approaching the dais.
First came Lord Humphrey of Toron, tall, grave-faced, and richly dressed in deep crimson, the gold embroidery at his sleeves marking his high rank. Beside him walked Lord Reynald of Sidon, broad-shouldered and dark-haired, with a reputation as both a skilled diplomat and a hard bargainer. Then came Lord Reginald Grenier, Constable of the Kingdom, his manner brisk and soldierly, followed by Archdeacon Matthew of Bethlehem and Brother Anselm, a learned cleric from the cathedral Chapter.
All had been summoned without yet knowing the full reason, though rumors — as always in Jerusalem — had preceded the truth.
"Your Grace," Lord Humphrey began, bowing, "you commanded our presence. We are here to serve."
Baldwin inclined his head slightly. "You are here because I have chosen you to carry a matter of great import to the court of Sicily — a mission that will shape the future of this kingdom."
The envoys exchanged glances. Reynald of Sidon spoke cautiously, "Then we are honored. May we know the nature of this mission?"
Baldwin’s pale eyes, cool and unwavering, scanned their faces before he said evenly, "You will go to Palermo to finalize my marriage to Lady Constance, aunt of King William of Sicily."
The room stilled as though a stone had been dropped into a still pond. The clerics looked at one another, lips parting in surprise. Lord Grenier’s brow rose sharply. Humphrey’s face betrayed a flicker of astonishment before he masked it with courtly composure.
"A marriage, Your Grace?" the Archdeacon asked, his tone both cautious and incredulous. "Forgive me — when did you resolve upon this?"
Baldwin’s gaze was unflinching. "Months ago. The proposal was sent after much prayer and consultation with my council. I did not expect she would accept, yet she has. Lord Balian and Brother Gerard have returned from Palermo bearing her answer — and her conditions."
Reynald of Sidon tilted his head slightly. "And... she has accepted? Willingly?"
"She has," Baldwin said. "But she is no fool. She has made certain demands, which I judged would be part of any agreement with a princess of her station. You will carry these discussions to the Sicilian court, confirm her terms, and secure for us the dowry."
He gestured subtly toward Balian. "Read to them the list, so they understand precisely what has already been agreed."
Balian stepped forward, holding a parchment. His voice was clear and steady as he enumerated the concessions.
"First — Her Grace Constance will receive the assignment of revenues from certain fiefs and estates in the Kingdom of Jerusalem as her dower, to ensure her security in the event of His Majesty’s death. This shall not grant her sovereignty over these lands, but all income from them shall be hers, as was done for Queen Maria Komnene upon her marriage to King Amalric."
The envoys nodded slightly; such arrangements were customary for royal marriages.
"Second — Sicily shall enjoy expanded preferential trading rights in Acre, Tyre, and Jaffa, including reduced port duties, the right to maintain merchant quarters, and monopolies in certain goods."
This drew a faint frown from Lord Grenier, though he did not speak.
"Third — Her Grace will be seated at the King’s council and, in the event of an heir being born and His Majesty dying while that heir is underage, Constance will serve as regent — with no other party permitted to claim the role."
The clerics exchanged glances at this, for it touched upon succession — a sensitive matter given Baldwin’s illness.
When Balian stepped back, Baldwin’s voice cut in again, firmer now. "These matters are settled between myself and the Lady Constance. What remains for you to negotiate are the Sicilian obligations in the dowry — obligations to strengthen this kingdom’s sword and shield."
He looked at each man in turn, his pale eyes burning with purpose.
"You will request, first — the dispatch, upon my summons, of two hundred mounted knights and five hundred foot sergeants, to serve no less than one year each time they are called to arms."
Humphrey’s lips tightened; such a military pledge was substantial.
"Second," Baldwin continued, "the gift of four seaworthy galleys, fitted for war, with their crews and mariners, to be maintained for the defense of our coast and for holy expeditions by sea."
"Third — a sum of fifty thousand bezants in gold, to be delivered to our treasury upon the solemnization of the marriage."
The last figure brought a murmur among them — fifty thousand was no small sum.
"These," Baldwin said, his tone ironbound, "are the points you will carry. You will present them firmly, but with courtesy. You will not yield them without my word."
Lord Reynald inclined his head. "We understand, Sire. It is... a formidable dowry."
"It must be," Baldwin replied. "Sicily is wealthy and strong, and if I am to take a wife, her joining to me must bring more than beauty and ceremony. It must bring security for Jerusalem."
Archdeacon Matthew bowed his head respectfully. "May God bless the venture, Sire. Shall we depart at once?"
"In three days," Baldwin said. "You will sail from Acre. I will have letters drawn, sealed, and placed in your care. You will be received with honor in Palermo — the Lady Constance will expect you."
He paused, his gaze narrowing slightly. "Tell me, all of you — what are your impressions? Will this marriage be seen as strength?"
Lord Humphrey was the first to answer. "Yes, Sire. It binds us to one of the most powerful thrones of Christendom. It will hearten our allies — though it may unsettle some of our lords."
Reynald of Sidon allowed a faint smile. "It will also make our enemies wary. A queen with the blood of Sicily behind her is no trifling match."
Baldwin’s lips twitched — almost a smile. "Then go well-prepared. For you will speak not only for me, but for the very survival of this kingdom."
The envoys bowed deeply, the solemnity of their task weighing visibly upon them.
Three days later, they would ride north to Acre under royal escort, the banners of Jerusalem snapping in the wind, their mission known now to every whispering tongue in the city. And behind them, in the palace of Jerusalem, Baldwin IV would wait — for the answer that might change the course of his reign.