GODDESS, a heathen deity of the female sex.
The ancients had almost as many goddesses as gods: such were, Juno the goddess of air, Diana the goddess of woods, &c. and under this character were represented the virtues, graces, and principal advantages of life; truth, justice, piety, liberty, fortune, victory, &c.
It was the peculiar privilege of the goddesses to be represented naked on medals; for it was supposed that the imagination must be awed and restrained by the consideration of the divine character.
GODFATHERS and GODMOTHERS, persons who, at the baptism of infants, answer for their future conduct, and solemnly promise that they will renounce the devil and all his works, and follow a life of piety and virtue; and by this means lay themselves under an indispensable obligation to instruct them, and watch over their conduct.
This custom is of great antiquity in the Christian church; and was probably instituted to prevent children being brought up in idolatry, in case their parents died before they arrived at years of discretion.
The number of godfathers and godmothers is reduced to two, in the church of Rome; and three, in the church of England: but formerly they had as many as they pleased.
GODFREY of Bouillon, prince of Lorraine, a most celebrated crusader, and victorious general. He was chosen general of the expedition which the Christians undertook for the recovery of the Holy Land, and sold his dukedom to prepare for the war. He took Jerusalem from the Turks in 1099; but his piety, as historians relate, would not permit him to wear a diadem of gold in the city where his Saviour had been crowned with thorns. The sultan of Egypt afterwards sent a terrible army against him; which he defeated, with the slaughter of about 100,000 of the enemy. He died in 1160.