ABSTRACT
In the aftermath of the First Crusade and the conquest of the cities of Edessa, Antioch and Jerusalem between 1097 and 1099 the Latins of western Europe established settlements in the Levant which were to endure for almost two centuries. In northern Syria the principality of Antioch was created by Bohemond of Taranto and subsequently ruled by his nephew Tancred de Hauteville and Roger of Salerno. In these first decades the principality became increasingly powerful, second only to the kingdom of Jerusalem in standing amongst the Latin settlements. Walter the Chancellor, an Antiochene official, wrote a first-hand narrative account of events within the principality between 1114 and 1115 and from 1119 to 1122. The first book of Walter's account focuses upon the events of 1115, perhaps the apogee of early Antiochene power, when the principality was invaded by Bursuq of Hamadan.
