THE LEPER KING: 4 BAUDOUIN

4. Baudouin was born in 1161, the son of King Amalrik I of the Kingdom of Jerusalem and Agnes of Courtenay. Growing up in his father's palace, Baudouin was educated by the historian Vilyam of Tyre. He realized that when he was a child, he would try to cause pain by digging his nails into his friends' arms while playing, but he did not feel any pain. This was the first sign of leprosy. Baudouin's disease progressed with adolescence and deformed his face, hands and feet. That's why he was nicknamed "Leper".


When Baudouin's father died in 1174, Baudouin was only 13 years old. After ascending to the throne, he was first succeeded by Miles of Plancy, and then by his father's cousin, Count III of Tripoli. It was ruled by Raymond as regent. Because Baudouin had leprosy, it was thought that he would not be able to live long and leave an heir. Therefore, courtiers and lords began to lay claim to Baudouin's two sisters, Sibylla and Isabella. Sibylla was raised by her great aunt in the Bethany convent, and Isabella in her mother Maria Komnena's palace in Nablus.

When Baudouin came of age in 1176, III. He did not approve of Raymond's agreement with Saladin. He organized raids on Damascus and the Bekaa Valley. His uncle III. He appointed Joselin to Urfa County. Joselin was captured by Nureddin Zengi in the Battle of Harim in 1164, and was released in 1176 by her sister and Baudouin's mother, Agnes, in exchange for a ransom of 50,000 dinars. Baudouin married his sister Sibylla to William of Montferrat. With this marriage, William became count of Jaffa and Ashkelon. It was hoped that William would rule the kingdom with Sibylla when he became unable to reign due to Baldwin's illness. However, William died in Ashkelon in 1177 after an illness, leaving the pregnant Sibylla a widow.


Baudouin was planning an attack on Saladin's main military force in Egypt. To obtain Byzantine naval support, he sent Raynald of Châtillon, prince of Old Antioch, as an ambassador to Manuel I Komnenos. Baudouin, with the cooperation of Raynald of Châtillon and William of Montferrat, tried to secure the southern defenses. In 1177, Baldwin inflicted a major defeat on Saladin at the Battle of Montgisard. This battle was Baudouin's greatest victory. However, Saladin attacked again in 1182. Baudouin had become blind due to the progression of leprosy. Despite this, he continued to fight on his horse. He managed to stop Saladin at Belvoir Castle.

In 1183, Baudouin married his sister Sibylla to Guy of Lusignan. Guy became Baudouin's heir and regent. However, Guy failed in the war with Saladin. In 1183, Saladin besieged Kerak Castle. Baudouin rose from his bed to save the castle and forced Saladin to retreat. Baudouin revoked Guy's regency and named his nephew Baudouin V as his heir. Baudouin V was Sibylla's son from her first marriage. Baudouin crowned Baudouin V in 1185.


Despite suffering from leprosy, Baudouin reigned longer than expected. His military campaign to liberate Kerak and dynastic strife weakened Baldwin. Baudouin died in Jerusalem in the spring of 1185. He was buried in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Baudouin was remembered by his contemporaries and later historians as a king admired for his will and devotion to the Kingdom of Jerusalem.

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