Reginald of Marash

Reginald of Marash (died 1149) was the Lord of Marash from 1146 to 1149. He was the first husband of Agnes of Courtenay, who would later become queen consort of Jerusalem after his death. He was killed at the Battle of Inab in 1149, and Marash was captured months later.

Early life and accession

According to Michael the Syrian, Reginald was the brother of his predecessor, Baldwin of Marash; Baldwin's chaplain and confessor, Basil the Doctor, wrote that he was the brother of Raymond of Poitiers, making him the son of William IX of Aquitane and Philippa of Toulouse. However, it is also possible that Baldwin and Reginald were illegitimate children of William.

In 1146, Baldwin of Marash and Joscelin II of Edessa would attempt to reclaim the County of Edessa during its second siege. Raymond of Poitiers refused to help his brother; according to the historian Steven Runciman, this was because "the expedition was ill-planned." The two faced a crushing defeat, and while Joscelin managed to escape to Samosata, Baldwin was killed, leaving Reginald to inherit the Lordship of Marash.

At an unspecified time, Reginald would marry Joscelin's daughter, Agnes of Courtenay, who was no older than fifteen.

Death and aftermath In 1149, Nur ad-Din would besiege the fortress of Inab with about 6,000 troops. On 29 June, he would surround and attack the crusaders, who suffered heavy casualties; both Reginald and Raymond of Poitiers were killed in the fight. Joscelin subsequently took control of Marash for his daughter, who enjoyed dowager rights there for a few months before it was captured.