Everything has to start somewhere, and the European crusading frenzy started here on the Place Royal in 1201 when Godfried de Bouillion, the first so-called King of Jerusalem, leapt onto his steed and raised his standard to incite the attending mob into joining him on the 1st Crusade.

Godfried was something of a stalking horse for Pope Urban II and various European and Byzantine Kings, each of whom had their own reasons for putting him up to the job. He was actually a pretty good guy by Crusader standards and less inclined than most to confuse ethics with personal ambition. He refused the famous (or infamous, depending on your choice of religion) title, but history has saddled him with it anyway.


Categories: Belgium, Europe