Lordship of Caymont

The Lordship of Caymont, situated near Mount Carmel, was the smallest recognized seigneury within the Kingdom of Jerusalem. Its creation was entirely a product of the geopolitical contractions following the Third Crusade. In 1192, it was carved out as a compensatory grant for Balian of Ibelin, who had lost his vast inland territories, notably Nablus, to Saladin’s conquests.

Due to its diminutive size and limited economic capacity, the Ibelins rarely identified with it, preferring to leverage their political influence to acquire more substantial holdings like Beirut. The lordship was subsequently absorbed back into the royal domain.

In the mid-thirteenth century, ownership of the territory was fiercely disputed between the Hospitallers and Templars. This dispute was ultimately resolved in 1262 when the Templars were awarded the territory, though it fell to Baibars shortly thereafter.

Lords