husband Balian "matched her own": Maria was resilient and adaptable, which enabled her to thrive politically in spite of unfavourable circumstances. Like her mother-in-law Melisende and rival Agnes, Maria desired power, but Hamilton notes that she differed from them in being interested more in practical matters than in appearances and thus worked to acquire power in "more devious" ways. Her opponents described her as ruthless and scheming, and Hamilton concludes that "there was some truth" in their view. References Bibliography |- 1150s births 13th-century deaths Queen mothers Year of birth uncertain 12th-century Byzantine people 13th-century Byzantine people 12th-century Byzantine women 13th-century Byzantine women Maria Komnene, Queen of Jerusalem Christians of the Crusades Maria Komnene, Queen of Jerusalem Maria Komnene, Queen of Jerusalem Remarried royal consorts