House of Rethel

The first counts of Rethel ruled independently, before the county passed first to the Counts of Nevers, then to the Counts of Flanders, and finally to the Dukes of Burgundy.

The most famous member of the family was Baudouin (Baldwin), son of of Hugh, count of Rethel, and his wife Melisende, daughter of Guy I of Montlhéry. Baldwin was called a cousin of the brothers Eustace III of Boulogne, Godfrey of Bouillon, and Baldwin of Boulogne, but the exact manner in which they are related has never been discovered. He left his own family behind to follow his cousins on the First Crusade in 1096.

In the aftermath of the crusade, Baldwin of Boulogne became the first count of Edessa, while Baldwin of Rethel entered the service of Bohemund of Taranto, Prince of Antioch, acting as an ambassador between Antioch and Edessa. Baldwin of Rethel also became regent of the Principality, when Bohemund was taken prisoner by the Danishmends in 1100. That year, Baldwin of Boulogne was elected king of Jerusalem - King Baldwin I - upon the death of Godfrey, and Baldwin of Rethel was appointed count of Edessa in his stead. ..... more


King Baldwin II, with the founders of the Knights Templar, Hugues de Payens and Godfrey de Saint-Omer
  • A1 = Doon, Comte de Porcieo, lvd:933/945;
    • B1 = Manassés I, Comte de Réthel, b:935, m. Odélie;
      • C1 = Manassés II, Comte de Réthel. lvd:965/990, m. Yvette de Roucy;
        • D1 = Manassés III, Comte de Réthel, d:1056, m. Dada von Bonngau;
          • E1 = Hugues I, Comte de Réthel, d:1118, m. Melisende de Montlhery;
            • F1 = Baldwin II, King of Jerusalem, lvd:1118/1131, m. Moraphia of Armenia;
              • G1 = Alice of Antioch, lvd:1110/1131, m. Bohemond II de Hauteville;  <==  House of Hauteville
              • G2 = Melisende, Queen of Jerusalem, lvd:1105/1161, m. Fulk V d'Anjou;  <==  Anjou Dynasty
            • F2 = Mathilde, b:1080, m. Eudes chatelain de Vitry;
              • G1 = Ithier de Vitry, Count de Rethel, d:1171, m. Beatrix de Namur;

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Baldwin - the future King of Jerusalem - entering Edessa in Feb 1098