The Lady of Caesarea
A Colonist in Outremer
Graham McLennan
Abstract
The biography of Emma of Caesarea serves as a case study for women of her estate in Outremer during the twelfth century. The quality and mindset of her life can be reconstructed through archaeology, chronicles and manorial documents. Emma's city is currently being excavated, revealing details of a relatively luxurious but insulated and isolated situation, constantly under the shadow of violence and beset by internecine plotting. Her links with other nobles of the kingdom elaborate the picture of a life constrained by the demands of her gendered role, while at the same time demonstrating a remarkable, not to say unique, degree of political power and freedom. The histories of women such as Emma are as yet in their infancy.
1. Castle and town, Caesarea.
2. East walls, exterior, Caesarea.
3. East gate, Caesarea.
4. Crusader church, Caesarea.
Web Links
Medieval Sourcebook: The Crusade of Frederick Barbarossa: Letters from Fordham University, provides the text of the letter of Sibylla, Exqueen of Jerusalem to Frederick I.
Combined Caesarea Expeditions from the University of Maryland and the University of Haifa.
Caesarea from Roman City to Crusader Fortress from the Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
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Material for Our Medieval Heritage, published by Merton Priory Press ©2002. Web site from the Arts Faculty of the Australian National University.