Baldwin of Boulogne, a prominent figure in the First Crusade, was crowned the first King of Jerusalem in the Church of the Nativity located in Bethlehem. This momentous event was the culmination of Baldwin's military efforts that led to the capture of Jerusalem in 1099, establishing a Christian presence in the Holy Land. Following the siege, various leaders of the Crusader states and key clerics convened to discuss the future governance of this newly claimed territory in a region long contested by different powers. The coronation was significant, not only because Baldwin was the first king of this nascent state but also because it represented a formal recognition of the Christian leadership over Jerusalem after centuries of Muslim rule. Choosing Bethlehem, the site of Christ's birth, for the coronation ceremony integrated the political act of crowning a king with deep religious implications, reinforcing the belief that their rule was divinely sanctioned.

The crowning was a public display of Baldwin’s authority and drew attention to the critical need for a governing structure amid the ongoing turmoil in the region. Baldwin's ascension was expected to inspire loyalty among the Crusader knights, settlers, and local Christian populace, thus fostering unity in the newly formed kingdom. However, Baldwin's reign was also challenged by ongoing threats from Muslim forces, so his kingship marked the beginning of a turbulent period where consolidating control and defending territorial gains were paramount. Baldwin's commitment to establishing alliances and engaging in both military and diplomatic actions would set the tone for the Kingdom of Jerusalem's future engagements in the region.