# John of Brienne

> King of Jerusalem and Emperor of Latin Empire of Constantinople (c.1170-1237)

**Wikidata**: [Q332704](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q332704)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_of_Brienne)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/john-of-brienne

## Summary
John of Brienne was a medieval nobleman and military leader who served as King of Jerusalem (1210–1225) and Emperor of the Latin Empire of Constantinople (1231–1237). A key figure in the Crusades, he played a pivotal role in the Fifth Crusade (1217–1221) and the defense of Christian territories in the Holy Land.

## Biography
- **Born**: c. 1158–1170 (exact date uncertain)
- **Nationality**: French (citizenship: Kingdom of France)
- **Known for**: Leading the Kingdom of Jerusalem during the Fifth Crusade and later ruling the Latin Empire of Constantinople
- **Field(s)**: Military leadership, medieval monarchy
- **Aliases**: Jean de Brienne, Eastern Roman Emperor (Latin Empire, 1231–1237)

## Contributions
- **King of Jerusalem (1210–1225)**: Led the defense of the Crusader states and participated in the Fifth Crusade (1217–1221), aiming to reclaim Jerusalem.
- **Emperor of the Latin Empire (1231–1237)**: Ruled the Latin Empire of Constantinople, a Crusader state established after the Fourth Crusade.
- **Military Leadership**: Commanded forces in key battles during the Crusades, reinforcing Christian control in the Levant.

## FAQs
**What was John of Brienne’s role in the Crusades?**
John of Brienne was a central figure in the Fifth Crusade (1217–1221), leading efforts to retake Jerusalem and defend Crusader territories.

**Where did John of Brienne rule?**
He served as King of Jerusalem (1210–1225) and later as Emperor of the Latin Empire of Constantinople (1231–1237).

**What was the Latin Empire of Constantinople?**
A Crusader state established after the Fourth Crusade, where John of Brienne ruled as emperor from 1231 until his death in 1237.

## Why They Matter
John of Brienne’s leadership during the Crusades helped sustain Christian presence in the Holy Land. His reign as King of Jerusalem and later as Emperor of the Latin Empire reinforced Crusader states at a critical time, influencing medieval European and Middle Eastern history.

## Notable For
- First non-dynastic ruler of the Kingdom of Jerusalem (elected due to lack of a clear heir).
- Led the Fifth Crusade, one of the last major attempts to reclaim Jerusalem.
- Served as regent for his daughter Isabella II of Jerusalem.
- One of the few individuals to hold both the titles of King of Jerusalem and Latin Emperor.

## Body
### Early Life and Background
John of Brienne was born between 1158 and 1170 in France, likely into a noble family. Little is recorded about his early years, but by the early 13th century, he emerged as a prominent military leader.

### Reign as King of Jerusalem (1210–1225)
Elected king in 1210 due to a succession crisis, John ruled the Kingdom of Jerusalem, a Crusader state established after the First Crusade (1099). His reign coincided with the Fifth Crusade (1217–1221), where he played a leading role in campaigns against Muslim forces in Egypt and the Levant.

### Fifth Crusade (1217–1221)
John of Brienne commanded Crusader forces in an attempt to retake Jerusalem. Though the campaign ultimately failed, his leadership helped maintain Crusader influence in the region.

### Later Years and Latin Empire (1231–1237)
After his reign in Jerusalem, John was crowned Emperor of the Latin Empire of Constantinople in 1231. This Crusader state, established after the Fourth Crusade, was in decline, and his rule marked a final effort to stabilize it before its eventual fall.

### Death and Legacy
John of Brienne died on March 23, 1237. His leadership in both Jerusalem and Constantinople left a lasting mark on Crusader history, reinforcing Christian states during a period of intense conflict.

## References

1. Source
2. The Peerage
3. Genealogics
4. Virtual International Authority File
5. [Source](https://wwwbisanzioit.blogspot.com/2013/04/giovanni-di-brienne.html?m=1)
6. [Source](http://fmg.ac/Projects/MedLands/JERUSALEM.htm#_Toc423186874)
7. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
8. CERL Thesaurus
9. Sejm-Wielki.pl