Death of Godfrey, advocate of the Holy Sepulchre: the succession

Summary:
Godfrey, advocate of the Holy Sepulchre, had fallen sick with a fatal disease, for which no remedy could be found. On July 18 he received the Eucharist and died and was buried in the church of the Holy Sepulchre. On his deathbed, he bequeathed Jerusalem to the patriarch, but his closest allies disagreed. Garnier of Grez, who was also dying, refused to fulfil his wishes, but seized and fortified the Tower of David, making excuses about handing it over to Daimbert. He died within five days, but others continued his refusal. All the supporters of Baldwin of Edessa in Jerusalem sent Gunter, Robert, bishop of Lydda and Robert of Rouen with an urgent message that he should come at once to succeed Godfrey. The message was sent in the names of Arnulf of Choques, Galdemar Carpinel, Robert son of Gerard, Radulf of Mousson, Joffrey Godfrey's chamberlain, Wiric Godfrey's butler, Matthew Godfrey's seneschal and Wicher the German. Anna Komnene's alternative is unacceptable: she makes the Latins of Jerusalem offer the throne first to Raymond of Toulouse, but when he equivocated and went to Constantinople, they had recourse to Baldwin from Edessa. Ralph of Caen has an unlikely scene in which Daimbert and Arnulf, with others, leave the choice to Godfrey, and accept his selection of Baldwin 
Dates:
1100 July 18 
Arnulf of Choques, Latin patriarch of Jerusalem (Arnulf 4001)
Baldwin of Boulogne, Baldwin I, king of Jerusalem (Baldwin 51)
  • At the death of Godfrey 51 the Latins of Jerusalem first tried to make Raymond 61 king and his successor [mistaken]; but when he put off a decision and went to Constantinople, they summoned Baldwin, who was then living at Edessa (:) Anna Komnene 346.45-52
Daimbert, archbishop of Pisa, Latin patriarch of Jerusalem (Daimbert 4001)
  • After death of Godfrey 51, asked Garnier 4001 to fulfil Godfrey's will by giving him Jerusalem, including Tower of David; Garnier seized the tower, delayed and waited for Baldwin 51; he died within 5 days, but others continued his refusal (: ) William of Tyre bk. 10, 3.1-28
  • He, together with Arnulf 4001 and others, was asked by Godfrey 51 about the succession, as Godfrey was sick with a mortal illness; they replied that they would be happy with anyone Godfrey chose; he proposed Baldwin 51 and they all agreed and swore to uphold him (:) Ralph of Caen 142
Geldemar Carpinel (Galdemar 4001)
Garnier (Warner), count of Grez (Garnier 4001)
  • His defiance of last wishes of Godfrey over Tower of David lasted less than 5 days, before he died; many thought this a miracle William of Tyre bk. 10, 3.21-26
  • He died just after the burial of Godfrey 51, and was buried in the porch of the church of St Mary the Virgin, eight days after the death of his prince Albert of Aachen VII.21
  • After death of Godfrey 51, refused to fulfil his wishes, but seized and fortified Tower of David, while telling Baldwin 51 to come quickly, so as to curry favour with him; made constant excuses about handing it over to Daimbert 4001 (: ) William of Tyre bk. 10, 3.1-21
Geoffrey, chamberlain of Godfrey of Bouillon (Geoffrey 26102)
Godfrey of Bouillon, duke of Lower Lorraine, first Latin ruler of Jerusalem (Godfrey 51)
  • Fell sick with fatal disease, for which no remedy could be found; on 18th July received the Eucharist and died; he was buried in church of the Holy Sepulchre William of Tyre bk. 9, 23.1-11
  • After confession and communion, he died; he was much mourned for 5 days by all races, then buried in the porch of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre Albert of Aachen VII.21
  • While sick with a mortal illness, he called together Daimbert 4001, Arnulf 4001 and others and asked their advice about the succession; all said that they would accept anyone Godfrey recommended [very unlikely]; he chose his brother Baldwin 51, and they all agreed and swore to uphold him (:) Ralph of Caen 142
Gunter, envoy to Baldwin I (Gunter 26101)
  • He was sent, with Robert 26101 and Robert 26101, by the supporters of Baldwin 51 in Jerusalem, to tell Baldwin in Edessa of the death of Godfrey 51 and to invite him to come south to replace him; they were thanked and sent back (:) Albert of Aachen VII.30-31
Matthew, seneschal of Godfrey of Bouillon (Matthaios 107)
Radulf of Mousson (Radulf 105)
Raymond of Saint-Gilles, count of Toulouse (Raymond 61)
  • At the death of Godfrey 51 the Latins of Jerusalem first tried to make Raymond king and his successor [mistaken]; but when he put off a decision and went to Constantinople, they summoned Baldwin 52, who was then living at Edessa, and crowned him (:) Anna Komnene 346.45-52
Robert FitzGerard (Robert 4009)
Robert of Rouen, bishop of Lydda (and Ramla) (Robert 26101)
  • He was sent, with Robert 26101 and Gunter 26101, by the supporters of Baldwin 51 in Jerusalem, to tell Baldwin in Edessa of the death of Godfrey 51 and to invite him to come south to replace him; they were thanked and sent back (:) Albert of Aachen VII.30-31
Wicher the German (Swabian) (Wicher 26101)
Wirich, butler of Godfrey of Bouillon (Wiric 26101)