The Conqueror of Jerusalem (and his forgotton brother)

Baldwin of Boulougne...

Gottfried Statue vor dem Königspalast in Brüssel

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Even though he barely ruled for a year, the Conqueror of Jerusalem, Godfrey of Bouillon, is very well known.

We have all heard of him, but did you know he had a younger brother? That’s the guy that turned Jerusalem into a kingdom, Baldwin of Boulougne.

Without him, it would have collapsed..

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Baldwin was born around 1060 into the House of Boulogne. As the youngest son of Eustace II and Ida of Lorraine, it was clear he wouldn’t inherit any land. His path was set for the Church. Chroniclers say he studied for it and even held a canonry at Cambrai.

But he didn’t like it very much..

Long before Urban II called the Crusade in 1095, Baldwin left the clergy. He took up the sword and rode east with his brothers Godfrey and Eustace when the call to liberate Jerusalem came.

In 1098, while the main army pushed south, Baldwin headed east toward Edessa (Armenian city).

It looked like an odd choice at the time. Jerusalem was the prize everyone dreamed of. But Baldwin understood that the Crusaders needed safe ground if they hoped to hold anything they captured.

Edessa offered that.

Baldwin of Boulogne entering Edessa in Feb 1098.

Its ruler, Thoros, governed a mostly Armenian Christian population surrounded by enemies. To strengthen his position he adopted Baldwin as heir (very bold move):

Fulcher of Chartres, who rode with Baldwin as his chaplain, described the moment:

“When we had trudged a day’s march from this place [Marash] and were no more than three days from Antioch of Syria, I, Fulcher, departed from the army and with lord Count Baldwin, brother of Duke Godfrey, turned into the country on the left… [Thoros] promised that if Baldwin would help him… Baldwin, as if he were his son, would possess the city and his whole land in inheritance forever… After we had been there fifteen days, the citizens of the city wickedly plotted to kill their prince… It was said, and it was done.”

Weeks later Thoros was killed, and Baldwin became the first Count of Edessa in March 1098. The Crusaders now had their first real state in the East.

Edessa gave the Franks access to food and Armenian allies.

That changed everything..

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While Baldwin secured Edessa, the main army stormed Jerusalem on 15 July 1099. The joy was overwhelming. Raymond of Aguilers, who saw it happen, wrote: