The Tragic Story of The Leper King: Baldwin IV |
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Baldwin IV, also known as the "Leper King," was the King of Jerusalem from 1174 to 1185. Despite being diagnosed with leprosy at a young age, Baldwin IV rose to the throne and became one of the greatest leaders in the history of the Kingdom of Jerusalem. He faced numerous challenges during his reign, including invasions by the powerful Muslim leader Saladin. Despite his physical limitations, Baldwin IV was known for his bravery and cunning tactics in battle. He famously led his army to victory in the Battle of Montgisard, defeating Saladin's forces and securing the Kingdom of Jerusalem for a time. Despite his brief reign, Baldwin IV left a lasting legacy and is remembered as one of the greatest warriors and leaders of the Crusades.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sources used: ● Conder, Claude Reignier. The Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem. Routledge, 2005. ● Hamilton, Bernard. The Leper King and His Heirs: Baldwin IV and the Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem. Cambridge University Press, 2005. ● Riley-Smith, Jonathan. The Knights of St. John in Jerusalem and Cyprus, C. 1050-1310. Palgrave MacMillan, 1973. ● Runciman, Steven. A History of the Crusades. CUP Archive, 1987. ● Seaver, Carl. “The Life of Baldwin IV of Jerusalem, the Leper King.” History Defined -September 10, 2022. https://www.historydefined.net/baldwin-iv-of-jerusalem/. ● Brenner, Elma. “Recent Perspectives on Leprosy in Medieval Western Europe1.” History Compass 8, no. 5 (May 2010): 388–406. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1478-0542.2009.00674.x. |