Bred he was a scholar, entred into Orders, and was
Prebendary in the churches of Rhemes, Liege, and Cambray;
but afterwards turned secular Prince, as our Athelwulphus,
who exchanged the mitre of Winchester for the crown of En∣gland.
Yet Bald wine put not off his scholarship with his habit,
but made good use thereof in his reign. For though bookish∣nesse
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 Christmas-day. The reason that made him assume the
name of a King, was thereby to strike the greater terrour in∣to
the Pagans. Thus our Kings of England from the dayes of
King John were styled but Lords of Ireland, till Henry the 8.
first entituled himself King, because 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 a∣bout
the city of Jerusalem. Dabert the Patriarch, on the death
of Godfrey, devoured Jerusalem and the tower 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 Bald∣wine
(who was not yet returned from Edessa) manned it a∣gainst
him. But so it happened, that this valiant Earl died
three dayes after, which by 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
•• thousands: and which is most materiall, what this Patriarch
interpreted sacriledge, others accounted loyalty to his Sove∣reign.
As for that donation of the city of Jerusalem and
tower 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 per∣sonall
act of Godfrey, and therefore died with the giver; as con∣ceiving
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