Duke Godfrey of Bouillon

The First Crusade lasted nearly four years. During that time armies of Christian knights and common foot soldiers marched or sailed to Jerusalem to liberate it from "infidel" Moslems. While Pope Urban's call for crusaders was issued to all leaders in Christendom, not one king responded. For the most part, the leaders of the First Crusade were noblemen whose prospects for advancement at home were limited. One such nobleman was Godfrey, Duke of Bouillon. Godfrey proved a courageous and talented warrior. Under his leadership, the crusaders reached Jerusalem in June 1099 and after one month of nearly steady battle, the city fell to the forces of Godfrey. Upon capturing Jerusalem, the crusaders engaged in the indiscriminate slaughter of almost the entire population of the city, including women, children, and the aged. In August 1099, the Moslems attempted to retake the city but were...