Ruben III Rouponi, King of Armenia

-http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruben_III,_Prince_of_Armenia

-http://fmg.ac/Projects/MedLands/ARMENIA.htm#RupenIIIMountains

1. RUPEN (1145-6 May 1187, bur Trazarg). The Lignages d'Outremer name "Rupin et Leon" as the two sons of "Stephane", stating that they had been brought up by "leur oncle Paguran seigneur de Baberon"[494]. He is named as son of Stepane, brother of Lewon, by Vartan[495]. The Lignages d'Outremer names "Rupen et Livon" as the two sons of "Melih"[496]. After the murder of his uncle Mleh in 1175, he was called from Barbaron where he lived with his maternal uncle Paguran, and succeeded as RUPEN III Lord of the Mountains[497]. The Chronicle attributed to King Hethum II records that, after the death of Mleh, "his princes made Stefanne's son, Ruben, the paron of the Armenians", dating the event to [9 Feb 1164/9 Feb 1165][498]. After the Byzantine defeat at Myriokephalon in Sep 1176, Rupen III allied himself with the victorious Seljuk Sultan[499]. He assisted Bohémond III Prince of Antioch at the siege of Harenc in 1177[500]. He went on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem in early 1181, arranging his marriage there to strengthen his alliance with the Franks[501]. He annexed the Hethumid principality. In 1182, after an invitation to Antioch by Prince Bohémond III, he was arrested. Rüdt-Collenberg, Vartan and Runciman all give 1185 as the date of Rupen III's capture in Antioch[502], but this is inconsistent with the transfer of Isaakios Dukas (later Emperor in Cyprus) to Prince Bohémond as part of the terms negotiated for Rupen III's release assuming that Isaakios arrived in Cyprus in [1183/84], after being released by Prince Bohémond against the promise of payment of a substantial ransom. Rupen's brother Lewon attacked Antioch, and Rupen was released in return for ceding Mamistra and Adana to Antioch. On his return to Cilicia, Rupen soon recaptured the two towns. The Chronicle attributed to King Hethum II records that "Ruben paron of the Armenians" died in [3 Feb 1186/2 Feb 1187] and was succeeded by "his brother Lewon"[503]. He died as a monk[504]. The Lignages d'Outremer record that Rupen was buried "à Trois Arcs"[505].

m (Jerusalem [4 Feb 1181/3 Feb 1182]) ISABELLE of Toron, daughter of HONFROY [III] Lord of Toron & his wife Etiennette de Milly. The Lignages d'Outremer name "Ysabiau" as the daughter of "Hamfrei le seignor dou Thoron…fiz… Hamfrei…conestable" & his wife, specifying that she was wife of "Rupin de la Montaigne qui estoit seignor d'Ermenie"[506]. The Chronique du Royaume de la Petite Arménie of Constable Sempad records the marriage at Jerusalem of "la baron Roupen" and "la fille du seigneur de Karak" in [4 Feb 1181/3 Feb 1182][507]. She succeeded her brother as Lady of Toron. Her marriage in Jerusalem is recorded by Sempad, who says that she was the daughter of the "Lord of Karak" but does not name her[508].

Rupen III & his wife had two children: