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Baldwin IV (1161–1185), known as the Leper King, was the king of Jerusalem from 1174 until his death in 1185. He was admired by his contemporaries and later historians for his willpower and dedication to the Latin Kingdom in the face of debilitating leprosy.
Baldwin IV (born 1161—died March 1185, Jerusalem) was the king of Jerusalem (1174–85), called the “leper king” for the disease that afflicted him for most of his short life.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
- Baldwin IV’s Early Life
- What Leprosy Meant in The Middle Ages
- Baldwin IV’s Rise to The Throne
- Baldwin’s Military Triumphs Cement Him as A Hero to His People
- Baldwin’s Mortality Was Imminent
- Baldwin IV Was Beloved by His People Until The End
Baldwin IV was born in 1161, the son of Amalric, the Count of Jaffa and Ascalon, and his first wife, Agnes of Courtenay. Amalric and Agnes had two children together, Baldwin IV and Sibylla. Shortly after, Almaric became the King of Jerusalem in 1163. When he was born, Jerusalem was under the rule of the Franks, known as the crusaders, who came from...
Leprosy, known to be caused by mycobacterium leprae, is an infectious disease that primarily affects the skin, mucous membranes, and nerves. In the Middle Ages, leprosy was highly stigmatized, and society often segregated infected people from the general population for their entire lives. Traditionally, the public thought of a leper as “unclean” an...
In 1174, Baldwin’s father, Amalric, died from dysentery while on a campaign in Egypt. At the time of his father’s death, Baldwin was only thirteen and should not have ascended the throne. Typically, knights with his affliction were supposed to join the Knights of St. Lazarus. He did not join them due to a decision from the High Court of Jerusalem a...
While the leper king dealt with these issues of state, Saladin, the sultan of Egypt and Syria, was busy uniting Muslim forces to drive the crusaders out of the Holy Land for good claiming jihad. Still, Baldwin’s early reign was marked by military successes against the Muslims. In 1177, he recaptured the city of Ascalon from Saladin, a victory that ...
Despite his determination and perseverance, Baldwin knew his time was limited, and he needed to secure the kingdom’s future. So, in 1180, Baldwin IV arranged for Sibylla to marry Guy de Lusignan for her second marriage. Possibly sensing the desperation of his enemies, Saladin invaded for the third time, and Baldwin IV couldn’t ride a horse and rema...
Baldwin IV was an incredible king, especially considering all he went through in his short life. He faced multiple military invasions, coped with a debilitating disease, and was still able to be an effective leader of his people. His people loved him and were saddened by his demise. He was a hero to them and is still remembered as one of the great ...
Apr 17, 2018 · King Baldwin IV had leprosy in the Middle Ages, a time when it was considered a death sentence. Instead, he became the King of Jerusalem.
Jan 30, 2017 · Medieval teen king, precocious politician, and successful battlefield commander, Baldwin IV not only surmounted disabling neurological impairment but challenged the stigma of leprosy, remarkably continuing to rule until his premature death aged twenty-three.
Oct 21, 2020 · Baldwin IV - also known as Leper King was the ruler of Jerusalem. Despite his illness, Baldwin defeated Muslim King Sultan Saladin and saved the Holy land.
Baldwin IV of Jerusalem has gone down in history as "the Leper King," but reducing his reign to his illness is a great injustice. Baldwin IV was the sixth King of Jerusalem, and he came to power in a critical point in the history of the crusader states. What follows is a brief biography.
