King Baldwin I of Jerusalem

A detailed Summary of King Baldwin I of Jerusalem

Baldwin of Boulogne I, brother to Godfrey of Boullion, Count of Edessa and King of Jerusalem. Baldwin was one of the eight chief lay leaders of the first Crusade (Setton 21). He died in 1118, which marked an end of an era. Baldwin was the last of the original leaders of the firs Crusade (Setton 408). He founded the first Latin state in the east, the county of Edessa. He founded and transformed Jerusalem into a monarchy state. Helped in the capture of Tripoli. Established the county of Tripoli into the fourth and last state of the east. With only small means at his disposal he accomplished many things, like founding the county Edessa with a few knights. Then he took over Jerusalem after his brother Godfrey, who had left it weak torn by factionalism and surrounded by enemies. He left Jerusalem a strong and powerful state. He revived and maintained commerce with the Moslem who he was there to fight in the first place. He never had a naval fleet but still had coastal conquests and protection. He had sea routes protected to the west by obtaining the help of the Italian Naval Fleet. The numbered of troops which Baldwin had can be compared to a modern day battalion, which would consist roughly of about 1,200 troops. With a

small army by his side he was able to protect his small state and leave it aggressive, helping the Latin states to the north and extending his own territory (Setton 409). Baldwin was known as a conqueror to the day of his death. His worst enemies Al-Afdal of Egypt and Tughtigin of Demascus gave up hope of ever over throwing him. Before going on the first crusade Baldwin took his time before accepting to go with his brother Godfrey. Since he was the youngest of the three brothers he had no inheritance left to him. He saw this as a great opportunity to go out and conqueror his own land. In 1096 they arrived in Constantinople, Godfrey was asked to the palace to pledge his alliance to the emperor. Godfrey refused to go and wanted to wait for the rest of the princes to arrive. The Emperor being annoyed did not give the necessary supplies he had promised Godfrey. So Baldwin took it upon himself to raid the suburbs till they were given the supplies that they were promised. After Constantinople the Crusaders headed to Antioch. On their way to Antioch they found themselves in a situation, the road forked. One way was a short cut to Antioch, but the road was rough and it wasn't suitable for a large army. Baldwin took charge of a small army, which included his cousin Baldwin of Le Bourg, Reginald of Toul, and Peter of Stenay and five hundred knights and two thousand infantrymen (Setton 296). Baldwin arrived at Tarsus a small county part of Cicilia; a fellow crusader Tancred had already conquered it. Since there was no imperial official to take over the city, Baldwin insisted it be turned over to him (Setton 300). Tancred had no choice but to do as Baldwin wished because his army was outnumbered. After some months Baldwin gave up the city to Guynemer of Boulogne, a pirate who gave naval help to crusaders. Guynemer pledge homage to Baldwin and gave him over three hundred men. Baldwin headed eastward and soon rejoined the main body of the army at Marash. When the main army went off Baldwin did not go with them. The main Army headed southwest to Antioch, Baldwin headed southeast to Aintab. While he went on southeastward he

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Approximate Word count = 1444
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English