Hugh II of Jaffa

Hugh II ( 1106 – 1134), also called Hugh du Puiset, was a Crusader and the count of Jaffa in the Kingdom of Jerusalem. He revolted against King Fulk in 1134. Arrival in the kingdom Hugh was the son of Hugh I of Jaffa and his wife Mamilia (or Mabilla). According to William of Tyre, his father had come to Jerusalem on a pilgrimage during the reign of Baldwin II, and Hugh was born in Apulia during the journey. However, according to John L. La Monte, it is more likely that Hugh I came to the east with Bohemund of Taranto in 1106. In any case, Hugh I was named count of Jaffa after his arrival (by Baldwin I, if in 1106), but soon died. When Hugh II came of age he arrived in Jerusalem to claim his inheritance, and married Emelota (or Emma), niece of Patriarch Arnulf of Chocques. Hugh was a relative of Queen Melisende, as their fathers Hugh I and Baldwin II were cousins; Melisende's grandmother, also named Melisende, was a sister of Hugh's grandmother Alice. Hugh had a close relationship with Melisende, but he "...was rumoured to be on too familiar terms with the queen..." (William of Tyre, 14.16) and came into conflict with the queen's jealous husband, King Fulk. It was also rumoured that Hugh was simply arrogant and refused to pay homage to Fulk. The latter rumour also seems to the basis of the account of Orderic Vitalis; according to him, Hugh and other nobles were offended by Fulk, who brought Angevin nobles and counsellors with him when he became king, and ignored the native barons of the kingdom. The revolt against Fulk In 1134 Hugh seems to have revolted against Fulk, along with Roman of Le Puy, lord of Oultrejordain. According to William of Tyre, Hugh's stepson Walter I Grenier, Lord of Caesarea (Emelota's son through her first marriage to Eustace Grenier) accused Hugh of treason and conspiracy at a meeting of the Haute Cour; Walter possibly did this with the urging of Fulk himself. Hugh denied the charges, and it was decided that the matter would be settled by judicial combat. When the appointed day arrived, Hugh did not appear, and he was found guilty in absentia.