“I will not wear a crown of gold wear Our Lord wore a crown of thorns.” – Godfrey of Bouillon
In 1099, after the conquest of Jerusalem during the First Crusade, the leaders of the Catholic Army decided to keep Godfrey of Bouillon in overall command and offered to make him king of Jerusalem. He refused, saying:
— “I will never wear a gold crown where the Redeemer was crowned with thorns.”
Vicente Vega, Diccionario ilustrado de frases célebres y citas literárias (Barcelona: Gustavo Gili, 1955), 315. (Nobility.org translation.)
Short Stories on Honor, Chivalry, and the World of Nobility—no. 422
