# Isabella II of Jerusalem > Queen regnant of Jerusalem (1212-1228) **Wikidata**: [Q233809](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q233809) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isabella_II_of_Jerusalem) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/isabella-ii-of-jerusalem ## Summary Isabella II of Jerusalem was the Queen regnant of the Kingdom of Jerusalem from 1212 to 1228, succeeding her father King John of Brienne. Born in April 1212, she became a central figure in the politics of the Crusader states during the Thirteenth Crusade, ultimately marrying Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor, and serving as Queen of Jerusalem, Queen of Sicily, and Holy Roman Empress before her death on May 5, 1228. ## Biography - **Born:** April 1212 - **Died:** May 5, 1228 - **Nationality:** Kingdom of Jerusalem (medieval Christian kingdom in the Middle East, established 1099) - **Education:** Not specified in source material - **Known for:** Serving as Queen regnant of Jerusalem; Holy Roman Empress through marriage to Frederick II; Queen of Sicily - **Employer(s):** Kingdom of Jerusalem; Holy Roman Empire - **Field(s):** Politics, Monarchy ### Family and Background - **Father:** John of Brienne, King of Jerusalem - **Dynastic Connection:** House of Brienne - **Also known as:** Isabella of Brienne, Yolanda of Brienne ### Reign - **Reign:** 1212-1228 (Queen regnant of Jerusalem) - **Consort:** Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor (married 1225) - **Titles Held:** - Queen of Jerusalem (1212-1228) - Queen of Sicily (through marriage) - Holy Roman Empress (through marriage) ## Contributions Isabella II of Jerusalem's primary contributions were in the realm of medieval political and dynastic leadership: 1. **Queen Regnant of Jerusalem (1212-1228):** Succeeded her father John of Brienne at a young age and ruled as queen regnant of the Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem during a turbulent period of the Fifth Crusade and subsequent Thirteenth Crusade. 2. **Dynastic Marriage to Frederick II (1225):** Her marriage to Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor, in 1225 was a significant political alliance that brought together the Kingdom of Jerusalem with the Holy Roman Empire, strengthening the Crusader states' position in the Levant. 3. **Holy Roman Empress:** Through her marriage to Frederick II, she held the title of Holy Roman Empress, becoming one of the most politically prominent female figures in early 13th-century Europe. 4. **Queen of Sicily:** As wife of Frederick II, she also held the title of Queen of Sicily, expanding the influence of the Jerusalem royal line into Southern Italy and Sicily. ## FAQs **What was Isabella II of Jerusalem known for?** Isabella II of Jerusalem was known as the Queen regnant of the Kingdom of Jerusalem from 1212 to 1228, who later married Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor, becoming Holy Roman Empress and Queen of Sicily. **When did Isabella II of Jerusalem live?** Isabella II of Jerusalem was born in April 1212 and died on May 5, 1228, living only 16 years. **Who were Isabella II of Jerusalem's parents?** Isabella II of Jerusalem was the daughter of John of Brienne, who was King of Jerusalem before her succession. **What titles did Isabella II of Jerusalem hold?** Isabella II of Jerusalem held the titles of Queen of Jerusalem (1212-1228), Queen of Sicily, and Holy Roman Empress through her marriage to Frederick II. **How did Isabella II of Jerusalem die?** Isabella II of Jerusalem died on May 5, 1228, at approximately 16 years of age, shortly after giving birth to a child. ## Why They Matter Isabella II of Jerusalem matters in history for several critical reasons: 1. **Last Queen Regnant of Jerusalem:** She was one of the last queen regnants of the Kingdom of Jerusalem before the kingdom's eventual fall, representing the continuation of the Crusader monarchy into the Thirteenth Century. 2. **Dynastic Bridge:** Her marriage to Frederick II created a crucial dynastic link between the Kingdom of Jerusalem and the Holy Roman Empire, bringing significant imperial resources and attention to the Crusader states during a critical period. 3. **Symbol of Crusader Politics:** As a female ruler in the medieval Middle East, she represented the complex political dynamics of the Crusader kingdoms, where women could inherit thrones and serve as crucial diplomatic assets through marriage alliances. 4. **Imperial Succession:** Her brief marriage to Frederick II produced children who would carry forward claims to both the Kingdom of Jerusalem and the Holy Roman Empire, influencing subsequent European politics. ## Notable For - Queen regnant of Jerusalem (1212-1228) — succeeded at infancy - Married Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor in 1225 - Held triple royal titles: Queen of Jerusalem, Queen of Sicily, and Holy Roman Empress - Daughter of John of Brienne, King of Jerusalem - Member of the House of Brienne - Died in childbirth in 1228 at age 16 ## Body ### Early Life and Accession Isabella II of Jerusalem was born in April 1212, the daughter of John of Brienne, King of Jerusalem, and Maria of Montferrat. She succeeded to the throne of Jerusalem as an infant following her father's death in 1212, making her one of the youngest monarchs in the kingdom's history. Her mother Maria of Montferrat was the heiress of the Montferrat dynasty, which had strong connections to the Crusader states. As a female ruler, her reign required careful management by regents and advisors, particularly during the turbulent period of the Fifth Crusade (1217-1221). ### Reign as Queen of Jerusalem Isabella II's reign as Queen regnant of Jerusalem spanned from 1212 to 1228, a period marked by ongoing Crusader military campaigns and diplomatic maneuvering in the Holy Land. The Kingdom of Jerusalem, established in 1099, was a medieval Christian kingdom in the Middle East that faced constant pressure from surrounding Muslim powers. Her father John of Brienne had established the dynasty that would continue through Isabella's reign, and the kingdom during her rule was involved in the broader context of the Fifth Crusade and preparations for the Sixth Crusade. ### Marriage to Frederick II The most significant political development of Isabella II's reign was her marriage to Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor, in 1225. Frederick II was one of the most powerful rulers in medieval Europe, and the marriage represented a major diplomatic coup for the Kingdom of Jerusalem. This alliance brought the resources and military might of the Holy Roman Empire to bear on the Crusader states' situation in the Holy Land. Through this marriage, Isabella II became not only Queen of Jerusalem but also Queen of Sicily and Holy Roman Empress, creating a personal union between some of the most important territories in the medieval world. ### Death and Legacy Isabella II of Jerusalem died on May 5, 1228, at approximately 16 years of age, shortly after giving birth to a child. Her death marked the end of the direct line of the Brienne dynasty on the throne of Jerusalem, though her children through Frederick II would carry forward claims to the kingdom. Her reign, though brief, exemplified the complex political dynamics of the Crusader states in the early Thirteenth Century, where dynastic marriages and alliances were crucial to survival. The Kingdom of Jerusalem would continue for several more decades before its final fall, but Isabella II's reign represented a final period of imperial involvement in the Holy Land before the decline of the Crusader presence in the region. ## References 1. Integrated Authority File 2. Source 3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 4. CERL Thesaurus 5. Dizionario Biografico degli Italiani 6. Treccani's Enciclopedia on line 7. Enciclopedia Treccani 8. Sejm-Wielki.pl