Baldwin IV of Jerusalem, commonly known as the Leper King, ruled the kingdom from 1174 until his death in 1185. Despite battling leprosy, they admired his courage to defend the Latin Kingdom He advisers surrounded by wise men and successfully defended the kingdom from it Saladin’s invasion.Baldwin IV of Jerusalem, often called the Leper King, ruled the kingdom from 1174, until his death in 1185. Despite his battles with leprosy, he was praised for his determination to defend the Latin Kingdom He surrounded himself with wise counselors and successfully defended the kingdom from Saladin’s invasion.
Early life of Baldwin IV
At the age of six, Baldwin showed signs of leprosy, and his teacher, William of Tyre, noticed that he could not feel pain in his right arm. Even so, Baldwin received a good education under Amalric, excelling in horsemanship despite his circumstances. Doctors did not want to see him because of the stigma associated with leprosy, which could have led him to join the Order of St. Lazarus.
As a teenager, Baldwin showed in appearance and manner the determination and optimism of his father. Despite his poor health, he was quick and had a good memory, although he struggled to speak. Concerned about Baldwin’s health, Amalric tried to arrange a marriage for Sibilla, viewing her and her potential husband as future kings.
Life as King of Jerusalem
As soon as Baldwin took over the government, he lost no time in consulting closely with his advisors in order to orchestrate a major offensive against Egypt. He bravely led an attack near Damascus and took advantage of Saladin’s campaign in Aleppo, which served as his first testing battle. Despite having the use of only one arm due to his condition, Baldwin insisted on personally participating in the battles rather than his military responsibilities
To further thwart Saladin’s plans, Baldwin and his trusted adviser Raymond led a joint expedition into the Bekaa Valley, effectively stalling and forcing the Muslim leader’s progress Meanwhile, Baldwin’s sister Sibilla married William of Montferrat, although some nobles feared that William might serve the kingdom and were skeptical of the treaty
To prepare for an invasion of Egypt, Baldwin enlisted naval assistance and sent Renald of Châtillon to negotiate with Emperor Manuel in Constantinople. The campaign was successful, prompting the Byzantines to join the planned attack in exchange for limited concessions. But Baldwin became incapacitated when William of Montferrat fell ill with malaria and impregnated Sibilla. In the absence of a clear deputy, Baldwin was reluctant to entrust Reynald with government and military command.
Despite these challenges, Baldwin’s resilience continued to prevail in complex diplomatic and military negotiations. Notably, he orchestrated a decisive victory over Saladin at the Battle of Montgisard, displaying extraordinary leadership and courage on the battlefield. However, tensions between Saladin and internal factions threatened the stability of the state.
As his health declined, Baldwin grappled with serious succession issues and the challenge of maintaining unity in his administration. Tensions continued despite his efforts to reconcile rival factions, including a proposed two-year peace with Saladin. Things were further complicated by Baldwin’s failing health, which led Regency to consider a new plan.
In recent years, Baldwin faced defiance from his father-in-law Guy, whose refusal to obey royal directives strained their relationship. The reconciliation effort also undermined Baldwin’s authority, further destabilizing the country. Faced with the imminent threat of Saladin’s siege of Kerak, Baldwin’s resolve remained unchanged, symbolizing his determination to defend the kingdom until his last breath.
Last Days and Aftermath
The reign of Baldwin IV was marked by military successes and internal conflicts, as seen in the appointment of Raymond of Tripoli as king despite his confidence His death in 1185 led to a power crisis, . and eventually Guy of Lusignan became king, a decision in the kingdom’s favor leading to the eventual fall Saladin’s victory caused severe damage to the kingdom, ultimately leading to its destruction. The subsequent deaths of Baldwin V and Sibylla and the ascension of Isabella I have been a turbulent period of transition to the Kingdom of Jerusalem