Statue of renowned
Catholic military leader of the First Crusade Godfrey of Bouillon (1060 -1100 A.D.),
located
at The Place Royale in Brussels - directly in front of the Saint-Jacques-sur-Coudenberg Church.
Godfrey, a French nobleman, was born in the city graced by
Our Lady [Boulogne-sur-mer], to St. Ida. He promptly followed Pope Urban II’s urgent call for a Crusade to reclaim the Holy Land from the invader infidel Mohammedans.
Before heading for the First Crusade, Godfrey prayed in the city of his birth, before Notre-Dame de Boulogne, asking for her powerful intercession/protection during the forthcoming crusading campaign battle(s).
Following his military success of the capturing of Jerusalem, occurring on July 15, 1099, Godfrey, the Duke and Advocate of the Holy Sepulchre [note: in deep humility, he refused to
be called the King of Jerusalem, in deference to Our Blessed Lord], attributed his victory and symbolically offered the Crown of Jerusalem to ‘Our Lady of Molanus’ and ‘Our Lady of the Sea at Boulogne’.
Related Links:
"A Gift from Heaven: Learn about Notre-Dame de Boulogne"
Reliquary of The Holy Blood - Shed in Jerusalem & Sent
by Godfrey (Boulogne Basilica)
Video: Processions for Notre-Dame de Boulogne c. 1900
"Prophesies Regarding the Coming Great Catholic [French] Monarch"