The Crusader Army of Godfrey of Bouillon

The Army of Godfrey of Bouillon was created by Godfrey, Lord of Bouillon, and Duke of Lower Leuven (as Godfrey V), in response to the call by Pope Urban II to both liberate Jerusalem from Muslim forces and protect the Byzantine Empire from similar attacks. Godfrey and his army, one of several Frankish forces deployed during the First Crusade, was among the first to arrive in Constantinople. The army was unique in that it included among its warriors the first three kings of Jerusalem, although Godfrey preferred the title Defender of the Holy Sepulchre (Advocatus Sancti Sepulchri) as he believed that the true King of Jerusalem was Christ. This article focuses on the members of the arrmy rather that its exploits which are described in detail in Godfrey’s biography as well as numerous sources listed below.

The family and household of Godfrey include the following. Note that Godfrey’s older brother Eustace III, Count of Boulogne, may have accompanied his brother but more likely traveled with Robert Curthose’s army.

The lords from the areas of Lower Lotharingia that were adjacent to Godfrey’s lands included the following:

A third element of the exercitus of Godfrey were from Upper Lotharingia.

Very little is known about the following participants in the army. Lords and nobles accompanying Godfrey:

The following knights also were in the army:

The following also accompanied Godfrey although their role is not known:

For a variety of reasons, primarily political, several notable lords and counts chose not to join, either personally or via family, in Godfrey’s army. These included:

After some difficulties in Hungary, the army of Godfrey engaged in the following major battles:

After the capture of Jerusalem, Raymond of Toulouse refused the crown, and Godfrey became ruler of Jerusalem, known only as Advocatus Sancti Sepulchri.

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