King Felipe VI of Spain. Historically, also the king of Jerusalem
Few people know that the King of Spain equally inherits the title of King of Jerusalem, a city that both Israel and the Palestinians claim as their capital.
The story begins in 1095, when the Pope Urban II asked the European knights for help to take up arms and support Christians in the Middle East who suffered persecution.
This was particularly the case in Jerusalembiblical city where it is said that Jesus was crucified. It was no longer safe for Christians to live there or for pilgrims to travel there, so outside help was requested.
In response, the First Crusadea series of military campaigns that aimed to liberate the so-called Holy Land, recalls .
The Europeans It took them four years to reconquer the city. In the end, it was partly thanks to Godofredo de BulhãoFrench commander of this crusade, who managed to unify the troops and break the final 40-day siege, and regent of Jerusalem between 1099 and 1100.
To thank him for his help in liberating the city, the Christians wanted to name him King of Jerusalem. Bulhão, however, refused, saying he could never wear a crown at the place where Jesus had worn a crown of thorns. Instead, he received the title of Advocate of the Holy Sepulchreor “protector of the Holy Places”.
Unlike Godofredo, his brother, Balduíno, who succeeded him, unlike his brother, wanted the title of King Baldwin I of Jerusalem. So all the kings after him also inherited this title.
Fast forward to 1187, Jerusalem was conquered by Saladinfamous Muslim leader and warrior. As the Christians no longer had control of the city, they only managed to maintain a small territory called Saint Jean d’Acre, which today is the coastal city of Acre, Israel.
They maintained this territory and continued to broadcast the title from King of Jerusalem until 1291, when the kingdom of Jerusalem, which included Acre, fell to the Mamluks and was abolished.
The Crusaders and the Christian population that survived fled to Cyprus. But the title of King of Jerusalem maintained, however, a symbolic status. It turned out to be ttransmitted to Charles I of Anjouwho was also King of Sicily – which later became the Kingdom of Naples.
When the Spanish general Gonzalo Fernández de Córdoba won the Battle of Garellano in 1503, placed Naples under the Spanish crown and thus the title of King of Jerusalem passed to King Ferdinand II of Aragonwhich became famous for having united the Spanish kingdoms.
Although the title was only symbolic, the Catholic Monarchs, Ferdinand and Isabella, They made a point of protecting the Holy Land, donating money to help maintain the buildings and the Catholic community in Jerusalem.
They also donated the silver star on the manger from the sacred Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, where Jesus is said to have been born. Today, Bethlehem is located in the West Bank, part of Palestine. Philip VI traveled to the region on several occasions and is also trying to help protect the people who live there.
Recently, Philip VI called on Israel to “stop the massacre” and put an end to your “abominable acts” in Gazain a moving speech before the UN General Assembly.
“These are abominable acts that are exactly the opposite of everything this forum represents. Revolt human conscience and shame the entire international community”, he stated.
