ABSTRACT
In 1152 Raymond II lay dead, likely before his fortieth year, and neither of his children were yet old enough to inherit the rule of county in full. Raymond III was thrust into power by the shocking public murder of his father. Home again in his patrimony of Tripoli, Raymond III took up his birthright and began to rule independently, even if his mother and advisors surely offered regular advice. After Thierry's crusade fizzled out at Harim the various participants headed home, with Raymond of Tripoli travelling south with the king of Jerusalem and count of Flanders as far as Tripoli itself. The Franks of Tripoli had endured the captivity of their counts before. Raymond's captivity only strengthened his connections to court of Jerusalem at the same time that it distanced him from events in Tripoli. It is hard to disagree with this broad verdict and 1174 remains here the most appropriate point at which to divide Raymond's career.
