Isabella II

queen of Jerusalem
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Also known as: Yolande de Brienne
Quick Facts
Original name:
Yolande de Brienne
Born:
1212
Died:
May 1, 1228, Palermo, kingdom of Sicily (aged 16)
Also Known As:
Yolande de Brienne
Notable Family Members:
spouse Frederick II
father John
son Conrad IV

Isabella II (born 1212—died May 1, 1228, Palermo, kingdom of Sicily) was the queen of the Latin kingdom of Jerusalem (1212–28) and consort of the Holy Roman emperor Frederick II.

The daughter of John of Brienne and Mary (Marie) of Montferrat, Isabella inherited the throne on her mother’s death in 1212, but her father ruled as regent and guardian and even continued to style himself as king (though he had been legally only king consort).

In 1225 Isabella married the emperor Frederick II, Pope Honorius III hoping by this bond to attach the emperor firmly to the Crusade in the Holy Land. Immediately upon his marriage, Frederick demanded all the rights of sovereignty in the kingdom of Jerusalem, which he claimed to exercise in his wife’s name. His action led to difficulties with John of Brienne, who did not relish the loss of his position. When Isabella died in 1228 after the birth of a son, Conrad, Frederick then continued to claim the throne of Jerusalem, though not without opposition.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Encyclopaedia Britannica.