Mon arbre généalogique

The origin of this family is unknown but was presumably relatively modest, as contemporary chroniclers were silent on the point. According to the Lignages d'Outremer[756], the first known member of the family, Balian, was the brother of Guilin Vicomte de Chartres. It has also been speculated that the name "Balian" is of Italian origin, being the French version of Barisanus, a name which is found in Pisa and Sardinia. If this is correct, Balian may have been a Pisan who came to Palestine in the entourage of Daibert Archbishop of Pisa, who was appointed Patriarch of Jerusalem[757]. Alternatively, the derivation could be from "inhabitant of Bari" (in Calabria). Rüdt-Collenberg[758] favours a Norman origin from southern Italy. This is based on the likelihood that Hugues du Puiset Count of Jaffa would have chosen a fellow countryman as his constable at Jaffa, and also because the first names of individuals in charters in which Balian is listed are more Norman than Italian in origin (Jordanus, Osmond, Raoul, Humbertus, Ramundus, Radulfus).

Of all the families of Outremer, the Ibelin were unique in the extent of their dynastic connections with the royal families of Jerusalem and Cyprus and the length of time over which their political influence in these states lasted, although they were never promoted to kingship themselves.

BALIAN [I] ([1070/80]-[Feb 1141/27 Sep 1145). The origin of Balian is not known. According to the Lignages d'Outremer, "Balian le Fransois fu frere au comte Guillaumin de Chartres" but this seems unlikely, the same source conflating Balian [I] with Balian [II][759]. Baudouin I King of Jerusalem confirmed donations to the church of St Marie, Josaphat by charter dated to [1115], including a donation by "…Barianus constabularius Joppæ…"[760]. William of Tyre records "Barisanus Joppe constabularius" among those present at the Council of Nablus in 1120 at which Gormundus Patriarch of Jerusalem delivered a sermon[761]. "Balyanus Joppensis constabularius" donated property to the church of St Jean, Nablus, for the salvation of "uxoris Heluissæ", by charter dated May 1122, confirmed by "Hugone Rametensi, Balduino fratre eius domino Mirabelli, necnon Baliano"[762]. "Barisanus constabularius Joppensis" donated "casale Algie in territorio Ascalonis" to the Hospitallers, with the consent of "Hugonis domini Joppensis, et Emmæ uxoris", by charter dated 17 Jan 1126[763]. William of Tyre records him as "Balianus senior" in 1132[764], suggesting that he was the father of another Balian. Balian was mentioned as a deceased benefactor, along with Guillaume of Bures (who was alive in Feb 1141), in the document confirming the constitution of the hospital of Notre Dame de Josephat, which was sealed by Guillaume Patriarch of Jerusalem, who died 27 Sep 1145, and so although undated must have been issued before that date[765].

m HELVIS, daughter of ---. "Balyanus Joppensis constabularius" donated property to the church of St Jean, Nablus, for the salvation of "uxoris Heluissæ", by charter dated May 1122, confirmed by "Hugone Rametensi, Balduino fratre eius domino Mirabelli, necnon Baliano"[766].

Balian [I] & his wife had [four] children