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Baldwin IV of Jerusalem

King of Jerusalem (1161-1185) (r. 1174-1185) · Died at 24

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He became king of Jerusalem at thirteen with leprosy already spreading through his body, then spent eleven years holding off Saladin and his own fractious nobles while the disease took his face and hands. The succession he couldn't secure unraveled two years after he died.

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Playmates pinch Baldwin and William of Tyre discovers first symptoms of Baldwin's leprosy, in Estoire d'Eracles, painted in France in the 1250sPlaymates pinch Baldwin and William of Tyre discovers first symptoms of Baldwin's leprosy, in Estoire d'Eracles, painted in France in the 1250sPatriarch Amalric crowns King Baldwin IV, as depicted in late 13th-century edition of the Histoire d'Outre MerPatriarch Amalric crowns King Baldwin IV, as depicted in late 13th-century edition of the Histoire d'Outre MerSeal of Raymond III of TripoliSeal of Raymond III of TripoliMap of the Near East in c. 1165. By the time Baldwin IV ascended, the Fatimid Caliphate had been overthrown by Saladin, who advanced into Zengid territory.Map of the Near East in c. 1165. By the time Baldwin IV ascended, the Fatimid Caliphate had been overthrown by Saladin, who advanced into Zengid territory.13th-century depiction of Baldwin toppling an enemy at the Battle of Montgisard13th-century depiction of Baldwin toppling an enemy at the Battle of MontgisardSaladin demolished Baldwin's Le Chastellet fortress after conquering it.Saladin demolished Baldwin's Le Chastellet fortress after conquering it.Raymond and Bohemond arrived to find that Sibylla had married Guy, thwarting their apparent coup attempt.Raymond and Bohemond arrived to find that Sibylla had married Guy, thwarting their apparent coup attempt.

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Baldwin's parents separated when he was two; at nine he was sent to study under Archbishop William of Tyre, who noticed early signs of leprosy but kept quiet until Baldwin inherited the throne at thirteen in 1174. His hands and face grew disfigured as he ruled, though he mastered riding and fought in battles for years despite losing sensation in his extremities. In 1177 he and Raynald of Châtillon crushed Saladin at Montgisard, earning him fame, but marriage was impossible and abdication kept slipping away - his sister Sibylla's first husband died in 1177, and her second, Guy of Lusignan, turned insubordinate and alienated the nobility. By 1183 leprosy had nearly incapacitated him; he disinherited Guy, crowned Sibylla's young son Baldwin V as co-king, and had himself carried in a litter to break Saladin's siege of Kerak. He arranged for Raymond of Tripoli to serve as regent, then died of fever before May 1185. Two years later Saladin destroyed the kingdom at Hattin.

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deceased
Dates
Lived 1161 to 1185 · aged 24

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