1058?-1118

French nobleman and leader in the First Crusade (1095-99). In 1098 he conquered the Syrian city of Edessa and surrounding regions, which became the first crusader state. After the death of his brother Godfrey of Bouillon (c. 1060-1100), Baldwin was elected "protector of the Holy Sepulchre," or king of the crusader state of Jerusalem. He then set out to conquer other lands in the area, an effort that put him into conflict with erstwhile fellow crusader Tancred (1078?-1112). Baldwin died on a raiding expedition into Egypt.