French Crusader and ruler of Jerusalem. He was a prominent leader of the First Crusade and financed a large part of the expeditionary force. Having distinguished himself at the siege of Jerusalem, he was elected Advocate of the Holy Sepulchre—in effect, king—a position which his brother, Baldwin I, was to assume on his death. His victories against the Muslims confirmed the Crusaders’ hold on Palestine and were celebrated in the medieval song cycle, the Chansons de Geste.