"Baldwin IV (French: Baudouin; 1161–1185), called the Leper, was King of Jerusalem from 1174 until his death. He was admired by his contemporaries and later historians for his willpower and dedication to the Latin kingdom in the face of debilitating leprosy, which eventually left him blind and unable to use either his hands or his feet. Choosing competent advisers, Baldwin ruled a thriving realm and succeeded in protecting it from the ambitions of Egyptian ruler Saladin.
Baldwin was the son of King Amalric and his first wife Agnes of Courtenay. He developed the first symptoms of his leprosy as a child, but was only diagnosed after his father died and he became king in 1174. Thereafter his hands and face became increasingly disfigured. Count Raymond III of Tripoli ruled the kingdom in Baldwin's name until the king reached the age of majority in 1176. As soon as he assumed government, Baldwin and his advisers started planning an invasion of Egypt, recently overtaken by Saladin. Baldwin agreed to a protectorate in return for Byzantine assistance, but the project fell through due to his vassals' uncooperativeness. Saladin in turn attacked Baldwin's kingdom in 1177, but the king and nobleman Raynald of Châtillon repelled him at Montgisard, earning Baldwin fame. The young king mastered horse riding despite gradually losing sensation in his extremities and was able to fight in battles until his last years. " - (en.wikipedia.org 06.02.2022)
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