Joscelin III, Count of Edessa

Joscelin III, also known as Joscelin of Courtenay, was born around 1134 and became a significant figure in the Kingdom of Jerusalem. As the titular Count of Edessa, he faced the collapse of his county during his youth, following the capture of his father by Nur ad-Din Zengi in 1150. Fleeing with his mother to the Kingdom of Jerusalem, Joscelin began to establish his influence in the region, particularly after his sister Agnes married Amalric, the younger brother of Baldwin III, in 1157.

Throughout the 1150s and early 1160s, Joscelin worked diligently to consolidate his power base in Jerusalem. His fortunes changed dramatically when he was captured in battle between 1160 and 1164. Although he was ransomed by Agnes in 1176, he found himself without lands. With the support of his sister, who had become the mother of Baldwin IV, Joscelin was appointed seneschal and married Agnes of Milly, gaining the dowry of Chateau du Roi and Montfort Castle, which laid the foundation for his new lordship.

Joscelin's political maneuvering continued as he supported Guy of Lusignan's marriage to Sibylla, the daughter of Agnes and Baldwin's sister. However, as tensions rose within the kingdom, Joscelin's position became precarious. Following the death of Baldwin IV, he orchestrated a coup that allowed Sibylla to ascend the throne, although he was part of the faction that pressured her to annul her marriage to Guy, who had fallen out of favor.

As the kingdom faced increasing threats from Saladin, Joscelin fought valiantly at the Battle of Hattin but ultimately lost his lands. He remained active during the siege of Acre, where he may have met his end. Despite criticisms regarding his loyalty to Guy and accusations of greed, Joscelin is remembered as a capable administrator who successfully established one of the most significant seigneuries in the East during his tenure.