Baldwin IV of Jerusalem, the Leper King
The sixteen-year-old king who defeated the great Muslim Conqueror — Sultan Saladin.
This was the time at which Christians had been ruling over Jerusalem for approximately sixty years. Jews, Muslims, and Christians lived together in the Holy Land. The kingdom’s only major external threat was from the legendary Muslim ruler Saladin who had his influence spread over from Egypt to Syria. The King of Jerusalem was Amalric I.
Prince of Jerusalem
In 1161, Baldwin IV was born to King Amalric I and his wife, the Queen Agnes of Courtenay. Baldwin was a sharp young kid who spent most of his time at his father’s court and was tutored by the Archbishop, William of Tyre. It was at the age of nine that Baldwin was diagnosed with leprosy. The archbishop himself diagnosed it when he saw Baldwin feeling no pain in his right arm “if pinched or even bitten”.
Leprosy
Leprosy at that time was considered a death sentence, people diagnosed with the disease faced complete social isolation.
However, Baldwin, being the Prince of Jerusalem and a noble child, was protected by his royal position and the court did not force him to leave and live in isolation. This came as a surprise to the local community.
