Edessa
Count Joscelin
The greatest victory for Baldwin came in 1115 at Tel-Danith. His own army had joined with Roger of Antioch and managed to catch a Muslim army on the march just as it was making camp. The result was a complete Christian victory. Ridwan of Aleppo was so thoroughly defeated that he was unable to undertake any new campaigns.
In 1118 King Baldwin I of Jerusalem died. With the strong recommendation of Joscelin of Courtenay, the barons chose Baldwin of Le Bourg as the successor. Thus the first two kings of Jerusalem had both previously been counts of Edessa. And both named Baldwin. Confusing, ain't it?
Baldwin had not treated Joscelin well. After they were ransomed, Baldwin started accusing Joscelin of conspiring against him and eventually exiled him from Turbessel. Joscelin had to retire to his lands in Galilee. Now, however, Joscelin had done him a great favor, and Baldwin duly repaid the debt by making Joscelin Count of Edessa.
Joscelin had always been friendly with the Armenians and his accession marked a reversal in their fortunes. Where Baldwin had driven them out, Joscelin welcomed them back. He was determined to build up his support, for he fully realized that Edessa was surrounded on three sides by enemies.
Even so, Joscelin did not return to Edessa right away. His lands in Galilee were also imperiled, mainly from Bedouins, and he was still there in 1119 when news reached Jerusalem of the terrible disaster at the Field of Blood (see the essay on Antioch for the details). He accompanied King Baldwin in a hurried march north to save Antioch. As so often happened in these years, The Muslims did not follow up their victory. There was a battle near Antioch, both sides claimed victories, but both sides went home again. It was after this battle (Hab) that Joscelin finally returned to Edessa.