Godfrey of Bouillon (18 September 1060 – 18 July 1100) was a medieval
Frankish knight who was one of the leaders of the
First Crusade from 1096 until his death. He was the
Lord of Bouillon, from which he took his
byname, from 1076 and the
Duke of Lower Lorraine from 1087. After the successful
siege of Jerusalem in 1099, Godfrey became the first ruler of the
Kingdom of Jerusalem. He refused the title of King, however, as he believed that the true King of Jerusalem was
Christ, preferring the title of Advocate (i.e., protector or defender) of the
Holy Sepulchre (
Latin:
Advocatus Sancti Sepulchri). He is also known as the "Baron of the Holy Sepulchre" and the "Crusader King".