Godfrey of Bonillon

Godfrey of Bonillon, a typical representative of Christian chivalry, was born about 1061, at Baisy, a village of Belgian Brabant, the eldest son of Count Eustace II. of Boulogne, and Ida, sister to Godfrey, Duke of Lower Lorraine and Bonillon. He served with great gallantry under the Emperor Henry IV., both against Henry's rival, Rudolph of Swabia, and in 1084 in the expedition against Rome. Five years later the emperor invested him with the duchy of Lower Lorraine. Godfrey joined the first crusade, and was elected one of the principal commanders. For an account of his career in the East up till the taking of Jerusalem, see CRUSADES. Eight days after the capture of the Holy City Godfrey was proclaimed king by the crusading army; but his piety and humility forbade him to 'wear a crown of gold where his Saviour had worn one of thorns.' He accordingly contented himself with the title of Defender and Guardian of the Holy Sepulchre. On 12th August 1099, on the plain of Ascalon, Godfrey defeated the sultan of Egypt; this victory put him in possession of the whole of Palestine, a few fortified towns only excepted. After a year spent in organising his new state, Godfrey died, 18th July 1100. See De Hody, Godefroid de Bouillon (2d ed. Tournai, 1859); and Froboese, Gottfried von Bouillon (Berlin, 1879).