Edessa
Count Baldwin I and II
Baldwin of Boulogne had captured Edessa by a ruse, but as he initially favored the Armenians, who were in the majority, he was actually a popular ruler, the more so because he married an Armenian woman. It wasn't long, however, before he was called away: upon the death of Godfrey, Baldwin of Boulogne became King Baldwin I of Jerusalem.
He chose another Baldwin to replace him at Edessa: Baldwin of Le Bourg, his cousin. This was the Baldwin who really established the County. He was aided in his work by another cousin, Joscelin of Courtenay, who became the lord of Turbessel, one of the most important fortresses, near the Euphrates River. Baldwin took the lead in arranging the release of Bohemond from the Danishmends in 1103, and then joined the Prince of Antioch in attacking Cilicia in 1104. Baldwin at that time added Marash to his domain. These incursions into former Byzantine territory firmly established himself as an enemy of the Emperor.
Count Baldwin II had the support of most all the Christians in his territories. He was on cordial terms with the leaders of the Jacobite Church, the Armenian Church, and the Syrian Church. The military situation, though remained precarious, and later in 1104 disaster struck.