[1] A member of the House of Poitiers, Philip was one of the younger sons of Bohemond IV, a Norman who ruled the Principality of Antioch and the County of Tripoli, and his first wife, Plaisance of Gibelet from the Embriaco family.
Upon his defeat and imprisonment by Constantine of Baberon, regent on behalf of Leo's daughter Isabella, the Armenians wanted to renew their alliance with Antioch.
[4] Philip spent as much time as he could in Antioch,[4] showed favoritism towards his French advisors,[1] and refused to adhere to Armenian Apostolic rites.
[2] He spent months imprisoned in the fortress of Partzerpert near Sis, the Cilician capital,[2][4] while his father appealed to Constantine.
[4] Bohemond planned to avenge his son's death, but was prevented when his allies, the Ayyubids, switched to the side of the Armenians.