Balian of Ibelin (1240–1302)

Balian of Ibelin (c. 1240 – 1302) was a noble of the Kingdom of Jerusalem, a member of the influential Ibelin family. He was the son of Philip of Ibelin and Simone de Trainel.

Balian held the title of Seneschal of Cyprus, an important position within the Lusignan administration. His activities on Cyprus are better documented than his activities in the diminished mainland territories of the Kingdom of Jerusalem.

He was a key figure in the complex political landscape of the Crusader states during a period of decline and internal strife. He played a role in various succession disputes and power struggles, often aligning himself with different factions depending on the prevailing circumstances.

Balian was married to Alice of Lampron, a member of the Armenian Hethumid dynasty. This marriage connected him to another important royal family in the region and further intertwined him within the intricate web of Crusader politics. Their children included Philip of Ibelin and Eschiva of Ibelin, who continued the Ibelin lineage.

While not as prominently remembered as some of his ancestors (such as Balian of Ibelin who defended Jerusalem in 1187), Balian of Ibelin (1240-1302) represents the continuation of the Ibelin family's influence and involvement in the Levant during a turbulent period of its history. He contributed to the administration of Cyprus and participated in the political machinations of the time, solidifying his family's position in the region.