Robert the Leper

Walter the Chancellor's contemporaneous chronicle is one of the principal sources of Robert's life.[1] A later author, Usama ibn Munqidh, also mentioned Robert in his Kitab al-I'tibar, because he regarded Robert's life as a good example of bizarre occurrences in human lives.[1] Robert's origin and early life is unknown.[2] Robert was first mentioned in two charters of the ruler of Antioch, Roger of Salerno in 1108.[3] Both documents referred to him as one of Roger's barons.[4]

Robert received Zardana from Roger, most probably after the crusaders occupied the fortress in 1111.[5] Located to the east of the Orontes River, Zardana was one of the most important border forts in the principality.[6] Robert must have possessed Zardana when he granted a nearby village, Merdic (identified as Mardikh in Syria), to the Abbey of Our Lady of Josaphat in 1114.[7] His grant was confirmed by Roger.[4] Usama recorded that Robert was befriended by atabeg (or regent) of Damascus, Toghtekin, and they agreed not to attack each other's lands.[8]

Ruins of the fortress of Saone

The Seljuk general Bursuq ibn Bursuq captured the important border fortress of Kafartab on around 3 September 1115.[9] Bursuq started to build siege engines, most probably in preparation for an attack against Zardana.[9] His emerging power menaced the independence of the Muslim rulers of Syria.[10] Toghtekin and the Artuqid emir, Ilghazi, made an alliance with Roger and promised to lead reinforcements to him.[10] Robert accompanied Ilghazi to Apamea where the crusader troops and their Muslim allies were assembling.[9] Roger and his Muslim allies route Bursuq in the Battle of Sarmin on 14 September.[9]

The Antiochene troops captured a series of fortresses near the coast between 1115 and 1119.[11] Saone was captured before 1118, Balatanos in 1118.[11] Roger granted both castles most probably soon to Robert, because Usama referred to Robert as "the lord of Saone, Balatanos and the adjoining region".[12]

Ilghazi almost annihilated the Antiochene army in the Battle of the "Field of Blood" on 28 June 1119.[13] Since Roger died fighting in the battlefield, Baldwin II of Jerusalem and Pons of Tripoli hurried to Antioch in July to defend the principality.[14] The Antiochene barons elected Baldwin II as regent and he promised to protect their estates.[15] Baldwin II ordered the local troops to assemble at Antioch.[16] Robert obeyed the summons and left Zardana for Antioch.[16] Ilghazi laid siege Zardana and captured it on 12 August.[16][17] Learning of the siege of his fortress, William tried to convince Baldwin II to relieve his fortress.[18] He hurried back to Zardana, but he fell off his horse and was captured by Ilghazi's troops.[19]

Robert was taken to Damascus where he offered 10,000 dinars as ransom to Toghtekin.[18] However, he refused to convert to Islam for which Toghtekin beheaded him.[20][18] His skull was decorated with jewels and Toghtekin used it as a drinking cup.[20] Robert's sons, William of Zardana and Garenton of Saone inherited his estates.[1] Robert's descendants possessed Saone until it was captured by Saladin in 1188.[20]