The History of the Holy War, Book 2 · Chapter 7
Chap. 7. Baldwine chosen King. He keepeth Ierusalem in despite of the Patriarch.
1100GOdfrey being dead, the Christians with a joint consent dispatched an embassie to Baldwine his brother, Count of Edessa (a city in*Plin. lib. 5. cap. 24. Arabia, the lord whereof had adopted this Baldwine to be his heir) entreated him to accept of the Kingdome: which honourable offer he courteously embraced.
A Prince whose body Nature cut of the largest size, being like *Tyrius, lib. 10. cap. 2.Saul, higher by the head then his subjects. And though the Goths had a law, alwayes to choose a *Munst. Cosmog. lib. 3. pag. 264.short thick man for their King; yet surely a goodly statu…e is most majesticall. His hair and beard brown, face fair, with an eagles nose; which in the *Pantal. in vita Caroli. 5.Persian Kings was anciently observed as a mark of magnanimity. Bred he was a scholar, entred into Orders, and was Prebendary in the *Tyrius, lib. 10. cap. 1.churches of Rhems, Liege, and Cambray; but afterwards turned secular Prince, as our *Fox, Martyrol. pag. 136.Athelwulphus, who exchanged the mitre of Winchester for the crown of England. Yet Baldwine put not off his scholarship with his habit, but made good use thereof in his reigne. For though bookishnesse may unactive, yet learning doth accomplish a Prince, and maketh him sway his sceptre the steadier.
He was properly the first King of Jerusalem (his brother Godfrey never accounted more then a Duke) and was crowned on Christmasse-day.Dec. 25. The reason that made him assume the name of a King, was thereby to strike the greater *Munst. Cosmog. p. 1008.terrour into the Pagans. Thus our Kings of England from the dayes of King John were styled but Lords of Ireland, till Henry the 8. first entitled himself King, because *Cambden, Brit. pag. 732.Lord was sleighted by the seditious rebells. As for that religious scruple which Godfrey made, to wear a crown of gold where Christ wore one of thorns, Baldwine easily dispensed therewith. And surely in these things the mind is all: A crown might be refused with pride, and worn with humility.
But before his Coronation there was a tough bickering about the city of Jerusalem. Dabert the Patriarch, on the death of Godfrey, devoured Jerusalem and the towre of David in his hope; but coming to take possession, found the place too hot for him. For Garnier Earl of Gretz, in the behalf of King Baldwine (who was not as yet returned from Edessa) manned it against him. But so it happened, that this valiant Earl died three dayes after, which by *Tyrius, lib. 10. cap. 4.Dabert was counted a just judgement of God upon him for his sacriledge. Now though it be piety to impute all events to Gods hand, yet to say that this mans death was for such a sinne, sheweth too much presumption towards God, and too little charity towards our neighbour. Indeed if sudden death had singled out this Earl alone, it had somewhat favoured their censure; but there was then a generall mortality in the city which swept away *Vrsperg. pag. 236.thousands: and, which is most materiall, what this Patriarch interpreted sacriledge, others accounted loyalty to his Sovereigne. As for that donation of the city of Jerusalem and towre of David which Godfrey gave to the Patriarch, some thought that this gift overthrew it self with its own greatnesse, being so immoderately large: others supposed it was but a personall act of Godfrey, and therefore died with the giver; as conceiving his successours not obliged to perform it, because it was unreasonable that a Prince should in such sort fetter and restrain those which should come after him. Sure it is, that Baldwine having both the stronger sword, and possession of the citie, kept it perforce, whilest the Patriarch took that leave which is allowed to loosers, to talk, chafe, and complain; sending his bemoning letters to *Tyrius, lib. 10.Boemund Prince of Antioch, inviting him to take arms, and by violence to recover the Churches right; but from him received the uselesse assistance of his pity, and that was all.