Baldwin IV was the crusader king of Jerusalem for just over a decade from 1174 to 1185. What is remarkable about his reign is that Baldwin suffered from leprosy. Also known as Hansen’s disease, this is an incurable bacterial infection that disfigures the afflicted. Leprosy terrified people in the Middle Ages and so Baldwin had to overcome prejudice and fear to rule effectively. Showing great courage – he did so.
The first signs of Baldwin’s condition were spotted by his tutor, the chronicler William of Tyre, when the future king was a child. When playing with other children, it was clear that he felt no pain in his right arm. He was pinched by playmates but said nothing. By his twenties, he was losing the ability to walk. Feverous attacks followed and blindness. Despite these afflictions, he eventually took the throne of the Kingdom of Jerusalem.
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Baldwin became known, rather unoriginally, as the “leper king”. His reign was turbulent as he was forced to face the threat of Saladin, a formidable Saracen opponent and founder of the Ayyubid dynasty. Saladin’s great achievement was to unite Syria and Egypt, strengthening the Muslim opposition to the crusader states. Yet Baldwin displayed exceptional resilience and leadership in the face of adversity.
Battle of Montgisard – stunning crusader victory
The most stunning victory of Baldwin’s reign was the Battle of Montgisard in 1177 when an Ayyubid army was defeated by a numerically smaller Christian force. Baldwin led the crusader army with a significant Knight Templar presence that played a critical role. Saladin allowed himself to be lured on to unfavourable ground and, in a humiliating development, his baggage train was taken by the crusaders. They then pursued Saladin’s scattered forces for miles.
The five hundred Templars involved evidenced the disciplined fighting skill and courage of the order. This was arguably the highest point of their history in the Holy Land. At the age of 25, Baldwin died – most likely from septicaemia caused by infected sores.
If you would like to know more about the story of the Templars – then get yourself a copy of The Knights Templar: History & Mystery by Tony McMahon, published by Pen & Sword, now available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Waterstones, WHSmith and other online bookstores.
