Editing Godfrey of Bouillon (section)

==Early life==
Godfrey of Bouillon was born around 1060, second son of [[Eustace II, Count of Boulogne]] and [[Ida of Lorraine|Ida]], daughter of the Lotharingian duke [[Godfrey III, Duke of Lower Lorraine|Godfrey the Bearded]] and his first wife, Doda.{{Sfn|Butler|Burns|2000|p=93}} He was probably born in [[Boulogne-sur-Mer]], although one 13th-century chronicler cites [[Baisy]], a town in what is now [[Walloon Brabant]], [[Belgium]].{{Sfn|Andressohn|1947|p=95}} As second son, he had fewer opportunities than his older brother. However his maternal uncle, [[Godfrey the Hunchback]], died childless and named his nephew, Godfrey of Bouillon, as his heir and next in line to his [[Duchy of Lower Lorraine]].<ref name="Brundage 1962">{{cite book |author-last=Brundage |author-first=James A. |title=The Crusades: A Documentary Survey |publisher=[[Marquette University Press]] |year=1962 |isbn=9781258149093 |location=[[Milwaukee]] |pages=70–73 |chapter=William of Tyre: Godfrey Of Bouillon Becomes "Defender Of The Holy Sepulcher" |quote=Duke Godfrey was born in the [[France in the Middle Ages|French kingdom]], in the province of [[Reims]], in the city of [[Boulogne-sur-Mer|Boulogne]] by the [[English Channel|English Sea]]. He was descended from illustrious and religious forebears. His father was the elder [[Eustace II, Count of Boulogne|Lord Eustace]], the famous and splendid Count of that region, whose many and memorable works are still recalled by the old men of the neighboring provinces and his memory as a religious and Godfearing man is like a blessing in the pious recollection of men. Duke Godfrey's mother was well-known among the noble matrons of the West, as much for her way of life as for her noble generosity. She was named [[Ida of Lorraine|Ida]] and was a sister of the exalted [[Godfrey III, Duke of Lower Lorraine|Duke Godfrey of Lorraine]] who was known as Struma. That Duke Godfrey, since he had no children, adopted his nephew Godfrey as his own son and bestowed his entire patrimony upon young Godfrey as his heir. Thus, when the elder Duke Godfrey died, the young Godfrey succeeded him as Duke. |access-date=18 July 2023 |chapter-url=https://sourcebooks.fordham.edu/source/tyre-godfrey.asp}}</ref> This duchy was an important one at the time, serving as a buffer between the [[France in the Middle Ages|French kingdom]] and the German lands.

In fact, Lower Lorraine was so important to the [[Holy Roman Empire]] that in 1076 [[Henry IV, Holy Roman Emperor|Henry IV]] (reigned 1056–1105), then [[King of the Romans]] and future emperor, decided to place it in the hands of his own son and give Godfrey only [[Bouillon, Belgium|Bouillon]] and the [[Margraviate of Antwerp]], allegedly as a test of his loyalty. Godfrey supported Henry even during his struggle with [[Pope Gregory VII]] during the [[Investiture Controversy]]. Godfrey fought alongside Henry and his forces against [[Rudolf of Swabia]] and in Italy when Henry captured [[Rome]] itself.

A major test of Godfrey's leadership skills was shown in his battles to defend his inheritance against a significant array of enemies. In 1076 he had succeeded as designated heir to the Lotharingian lands of his uncle, Godfrey the Hunchback, and Godfrey was struggling to maintain control over the lands that Henry IV had not taken away from him. Claims were raised by his aunt Margravine [[Matilda of Tuscany]], cousin Count [[Albert III of Namur]], and Count Theoderic of Veluwe. This coalition was joined by Bishop Theoderic of Verdun, and two minor counts attempting to share in the spoils, [[Waleran I of Limburg]] and [[Arnold I of Chiny]].

As these enemies tried to take away portions of his land, Godfrey's brothers, Eustace and Baldwin, both came to his aid. Following these long struggles and proving that he was a loyal vassal to Henry IV, Godfrey finally gained Lower Lorraine in 1087.