Godfrey of Bouillon

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Godefroi de Bouillon (ca. 1061-1100), the Duke of Lorraine, was one of the leaders of the First Crusade. In 1099 he was elected King of Jerusalem, an honour which he declined on the grounds that it was impious to call himself King in the holy city. Instead, he accepted the rulership of the Kingdom of Jerusalem under the title Advocatus Sancti Sepulchri the "Defender of the Holy Sepulcher".

He had a great reputation for bravery, honour and chivalry. Although there are conflicting accounts of his death, it is most likely that he died of an illness contracted in Caesarea in June, 1100.

Childless and unmarried, after his death the Kingdom of Jerusalem passed to his brother Baldwin I, who did take the title "King".

In the early 14th century Jean de Longuyon included Godefroi in his list of Nine Worthies.