volume one

niSTORT or THE CKUSADES. 295
Jerusalem, he followed the example of Godfrey, and deserved
in his turn to be held up as a model to his successors.
His extreme love for women sometimes drew upon him
the severe censures of the clergy. To expiate his offences,
in accordance with the opinions of the times, he richly en-
dowed churches, particularly that of Bethlehem ;
other religious establishments owe their foundation to him.
Amidst the tumult of camps, he added several articles to
the code of his predecessor ; but that which did most honour
to his reign, was his constant anxiet}^ to repeople Jerusalem.
He offered an honourable asylum to all the Christians scattered
over Arabia, Syria, and Egypt. Christians persecuted
by Mussulmans came to him in crowds, with then* wives,
their children, and their wealth. Baldwin distributed
amongst them lands and uninhabited houses, and Jerusalem
began to be flourishing.
The last wishes of Baldwin were accomplished. The
Christian army, preceded by the mortal remains of its chief,
returned to Jerusalem. Baldwin du Bourg, who came to
the holy city to celebrate the festival of Easter and to visit
the brother of Godfrey, arrived on Palm -Sunday at the hour
in which the clergy and tlie people, according to ancient
custom, go in procession to the Valley of Jehoshaphat. As
he entered by the gate of Ephraim, the funeral train of
Baldwin, accompanied by his warriors in mourning, entered
by the gate of Damascus. At this sight melancholy cries
were mingled with the hymns of the Christians. The
Latins were deeply afflicted, the Syrians wept, and the
Saracens, says Eoulcher de Chartres, who were witnesses of
this moiu-nful spectacle, coidd not restrain their tears. In
the midst of the sorrowing people, the count of Edessa
accompanied the funereal convoy to the foot of Calvary,
where Baldwin was buried close to Godfrey.
Although the late king had pointed out Baldwm du Bourg
as his successor, the barons and the prelates met to elect a
new prince. Several proposed to offer the crown to Eustace
de Boulogne, the brother of Godfrey. Josselin de Courtenay,
one of the first counts of the kingdom, declared himself in
favour of Baldwin du Bourg. Josselin, on arriving in Asia,
had been welcomed and loaded with favours by the count of
Edessa, who gave him several cities on the Euphrates.
and many