volume one

296 HISTORY OF THE CRUSADES.
Expelled afterwards ignominiously by his benefactor, who
accused him of ingratitude, he had taken refuge in the kingdom
of Jerusalem, in which he had obtained the principality
of Tiberias. AVhether he wished to make amends for old
offences, or whether he hoped to obtain fresh benefits, he
represented to the assembled barons, " that Baldwin du
Bourg belonged to the family of the last king ; that his
piety, his wisdom, and courage were known to the entire
East ; and that no country on that side or beyond the sea
could offer a prince miore worthy of the confidence and love
of the Christians. The benedictions of the inhabitants of
Edessa pointed him out to the choice of the barons and
knights, and Pro\^dence had opportunely sent him to Jerusalem
to console the Christian people for the loss of Grodfrey
and Baldwin." This discoui'se united all the suffrages in
favour of Baldwin du Bourg, who was crowned a few days
after, and made over the county of Edessa to Josselin de
Courtenay.
Scarcely was BaldAAin du Bourg seated on the throne of
Jerusalem than he was obliged to fly to the succour of
Antioch, attacked by the Saracens of Damascus and the
Tmcomans from the banks of the Euphrates. Boger of
Sicily, son of llichard, who since the death of Tancred
governed Antioch during the minority of the son' of Bohemond,
had been killed in a bloody battle. Baldwin, accompanied
by the count of Tripoli, hastened to the banks of the
Orontes, attacked the victorious Mussulmans, and dispersed
their army.*
After this victory he returned to Jerusalem, when he
learnt that Josselin de Courtenay had been made prisoner
by the Turks. Baldwin flew to the defence of the county
of Edessa, which was threatened \\-ith an invasion, and himself
fell into the hands of the Mussulmans.
Old chronicles have celebrated the intrepid zeal of fifty
Armenians, who swore to deliver two princes so much beloved
by their subjects, and whose captivity spread desolation
among the Christians of the East. Their eftbrts broke
the chains of Josselin, but after having braved a thousand
dangers \Nithout being able to release Baldwin du Boui'g,
* See, for an account of this disaster, Kemaleddin and Tabari.