Baldwin IV, Leper King of Jerusalem: The Early Years - DOCUMENTARY

Baldwin IV, Leper and crusader, was one of the outstanding commanders of his age, and during his life, posed a worthy challenge to the courageous Sultan Saladin. In this titanic struggle, Saladin had considerable advantage - he controlled the territory around Baldwin’s tiny kingdom, and he had far larger armies at his disposal. What’s more, the young King also suffered from a grave illness - leprosy. Despite his disease, and despite the fewness of his men, the brave Leper King rode at the head of his knights, sword in hand, battling Saladin’s legions on more than one occasion. This is Real Crusades History - the life of King Baldwin IV, the Leper King of Jerusalem.
Next video in the series:
• Saladin vs. Baldwin IV...
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Sources:
-Arab Historians of the Crusades, trans. Francesco Gabrieli, (Barnes and Noble Books, 1993)
-Baha ad-Din ibn-Shaddad - The Rare and Excellent History of Saladin, trans. D.S. Richards, (Ashgate, 2002)
-Barber, Malcolm - The Crusader States, (Yale, 2014)
-Ehrenkreutz, Andrew - Saladin, (State University of New York, 1972)
-Hamilton, Bernard - The Leper King and His Heirs, (Cambridge, 2005)
-Ibn al-Athir - The Chronicle of Ibn al-Athir for the Crusading Period, Part 2, trans. D.S. Richards (Ashgate, 2005)
-William of Tyre - A History of Deeds Done Beyond the Sea, Vol. II, trans. Emily Babcock and A.C. Krey, (Columbia University Press, 1943)
Credits:
Written and edited by: J Stephen Roberts
Animated maps by: Daniel Weiss
Narrated by: Tom Wylde
#LeperKing #BaldwinIV #Saladin

[@davidgusquiloor2665]

The Leper King is a very facinating historical figure. One can only imagine how people felt when they realized his illness.

[@calexander7495]

I would have taken it as a bad omen even without even knowing how it ends. If I were there I can only imagine a sense of underlying dread, particularly since before he died the Crusader States were already losing. Imagine that you believe with all your heart that you must fight a battle that cannot be won. That's how it would feel for most fighting men.

[@susanpower9265]

great great hero/thats how they felt

[@RealCrusadesHistory]

@@calexander7495 I'm not sure that's true that prior to his death the Crusader States were "already losing." In fact, I would say that's entirely incorrect. The Kingdom had successfully thwarted Saladin's invasions on numerous occasions.

[@calexander7495]

@@RealCrusadesHistory Well if losing is a poor choice of words, the tide of invasions would still be disheartening. That they have to fend off these waves of invasion and know that the enemy has even more manpower to send another wave. Losing may not be the right word, but the futility of their position must have gotten clearer after each of these victories under a man that's not long for the world.

[@RealCrusadesHistory]

We have to be careful about projecting the defeat of Hattin backward. They understood that the situation was perilous, but they didn't expect to lose. There's no question that the pressures you're describing were real, William of Tyre expresses them and he died before Hattin. But we also need to consider the faith involved. Many of these people felt that God would ultimately protect the Kingdom from falling. They also had the experience of defeating large scale invasions from Saladin, and so they had a sense that they could continue to do this. Also, Saladin's own position was somewhat precarious, his empire fragile. They knew well that he had many enemies in the Muslim world who wanted him gone, and there was a sense that very quickly the powers that Saladin had brought together could be divided once again.

[@magatism]

He defeated Saladin when he was sixteen, Saladin fled on a racing camel. Truly Baldwin was among the greatest of Christian kings.

[@TyranyFighterPatriot]

I would say Baldwin is maybe 3 or 4 kings below the king of kings himself. Definitely top 5 ever to exist, no question.

[@magatism]

@@TyranyFighterPatriot His faith was tested, i am sure he pased, that makes him a job among kungs, a special man.certainly at number 3 on that list.

[@mghandsom7778]

Still saladin your dad

[@magatism]

@@mghandsom7778 No he was not, he died 6 months after Richard left and his empite was torm down , his family eliminated and control passed back to egypt.

[@rechannel864]

lionheart is second

[@neinsager3236]

I could watch the movie "Kingdom of Heaven" forever. I fell in love with medieval history then. The scene where Saladins army is at Kerak castle and king Baldwin arrives, the line "Jerusalem has come" gives me goosebumps.

[@ahmarelvirgio823]

I'm goosebumps where king Baldwin said "Assalamualaikum" then Saladin replied with "Waalaikumsalam" idk if that's happened in real history, but that detail Ridley Scott gave was amazing

[@roddxpiera82]

I am Jerusalem assemble the army (GOD WILLS IT)

[@Urdadmymom]

My favorite king of all time. I could not comprehend the great man he was to inherit such a kingdom while in such distress. Especially in his condition it’s just remarkable how men respected and followed him into battle.

[@loganw1232]

One of the best kings in history, sad his kingdom diminished after him.

[@declankrebs4073]

He did what he could, but his successors messed it all up.

[@ahmarelvirgio823]

Sad he's diagnose with the leper :(

[@rechannel864]

he is the kingdom

[@nerdlingeeksly5192]

Most great leaders often have their kingdoms fall apart after their death

[@aguythatlovesmilk2611]

Just like Alexander the great

[@deem7478]

Baldwin was an Angevin (Plantagenet), a line of royalty not known to be faint of heart. He was first cousin to England's King Henry II, and cousin once removed to Richard Lionheart.

[@mmsizzlak3726]

The one king who had a bigger dose of reality than most others as far as rulers went... Evidently he went from physically beautiful to literally a leper, perhaps it gave him a sense of humanity that those born with power never experienced before...power corrupts and even the most scarring experiences can eventually fade... Had it not happened, chances are that he may have been a terrible king when you compare him to his contemporaries... Humility was not a common theme

[@publiusventidiusbassus1232]

Seems like a rather fatalist way to put it.

[@chrisqw5272]

I just excited to hear one my favorite king story in such a good quality

[@ashukumar-ks4il]

King Baldwin 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 Egyptian ruler Saladin. Baldwin's death marred the king's legacy, with historians tracing fatal discord to Baldwin's reign. Yet, while Baldwin was on the throne, the kingdom lost no territory and flourished economically and spiritually.

[@RealCrusadesHistory]

I believe Bernard Hamilton disagrees with the idea that there was fatal discord in the Kingdom during Baldwin's reign.

[@ashukumar-ks4il]

@@RealCrusadesHistory thanks brother for giving me knowledge on this thing 🙏☺️

[@mpan7376]

This guy is incredible. I had no idea who he was until a week ago when I watched kingdom of heaven. This video came at the perfect time for me. Awesome video! I don’t know much about the crusades so I’m definitely subscribing :)

[@RealCrusadesHistory]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@pointly]

God bless King Baldwin IV! A true King of Christiandom!

[@1992zorro]

This guy really stepped up his game, these documentaries are amazing and top notch quality

[@Democratic_Idiocracy9833]

Richard the Lionheart and Baldwin the 4th of the Holy Land combination will be unstoppable

[@David_is_devil]

Im georgian from caucasus (land of virgin mery), i deeply respect baldvin as true leader with wisdom, rip great king - you was big friend to georgian/iberian kingdom. Respect for honor of french knights (warriors of God)

[@TearsofaLunarian]

I do like the music choices, they really enhance the storytelling.

[@mkosmala1309]

One of my favorite kings of history. I look forward to this.

[@MithradatesVIEupator]

Glad you've posted this 🙏

[@your_local_commun1655]

I struggled to find documentaries for my school project and this comes out a week and a half later..... Damit

[@declankrebs4073]

An excellent part 1. Nice to see that you put Bernard Hamilton´s book to good use.

[@Morton90]

This is a fantastic video I really love the updated video series and animations keep up the great work!

[@-RONNIE]

Nice 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 I always look forward to your videos keep up the great work 👍🏻

[@TOMASGUN4]

Would be awesome to get a game of thrones like tv show based on this period.

[@thebigone6071]

You’re the greatest Christian historian in world history!!!! Thank you!!!

[@robertlukacs4954]

That’s a bold statement. However he is clearly a fantastic historian.

[@thebigone6071]

Robert Lukacs thank you! God bless!

[@andreykuzmin4355]

"Spare the others. I am ready" - Baldwin IV of Jerusalem, probably.

[@BanksterSlayer]

Thank you for this video. The maps and the digital animations add so much educational value to the content. I am very impressed and look forward to watching many more of your titles. (a historyphile from central Arizona) 😀

[@RealCrusadesHistory]

Glad you like them!

[@violatorut2003]

The animations are from Medieval 2 Total War. Definitely one of the best strategy games ever.

[@RebelNair92]

King Baldwin Silver-Mask An amazing character to play on Crusader Kings 2

[@eraser695]

Thank you Brother

[@risinglogosbear1208]

Great video!

[@itachi-kun7736]

Baldwin IV only lived at 23-24 but reigned longer than Richard the Lionheart

[@brianshawkey2910]

Baldwin had balls, ya gotta admit.

[@Omestredamoeda]

Great work my friend can ypu tellme where you find historical txt to do that primary?

[@Low-liife999]

Rest in peace noble king

[@kingbaldwiniv5409]

I endorse this video!

[@bunkersketches1238]

Well. This channel certainly got an upgrade.

[@mariongranbruheim4090]

Great shøw as usual!

[@mino18d]

What is the music playing at around 14:30? Great documentary work btw!!! Highly interested in the topic since Kingdom of Heaven and very happy for you making this content!! 🙏

[@nathanielus5296]

Cool artwork in the thumbnail, who made it?

[@abdurrahmanqureshi3030]

One of the greatest generals of all time

[@sallowhermit]

i'd love a kingdom of heaven quality first crusade...imagine bohemund!

[@sallowhermit]

A like from these people actually means something

[@AJPlanet74]

Very impressive

[@GB17691]

WHAT A KNIGHT, WHAT A MAN!

[@pinchevulpes]

“Were you not close enough to a great king, to learn by his example?”

[@vininicius27836]

Você vai falar sobre as vitorias e derrotas posteriores a batalha de monte gisardo? O Cerco de Kerak em 1183 é o mais fascinante.

[@ahmarelvirgio823]

I'm a muslim and I really have great admire to King Baldwin IV 🙌

[@RealCrusadesHistory]

I think we can all agree that Saladin and Baldwin IV were both rulers to be admired.

[@ahmarelvirgio823]

@@RealCrusadesHistory oh yes they were. I mean also they're both really lucky to meet each others as king and sultan, the way they respect each others were just amazing to me. And it's not easy to trust 1 king to another

[@obiwankenobi6871]

Is he recognized as a saint? He should be

[@TyranyFighterPatriot]

I was literally just asking myself this. Baldwin's leprosy was his saving grace because it pretty much garrintees his holiness.

[@RealCrusadesHistory]

Next video: Baldwin's great battle with Saladin: kzbin.info/www/bejne/j5Onf5Zsmbp8j68 Support me on Patreon: www.patreon.com/RealCrusadesHistory

[@vininicius27836]

I'm Brazilian, and I would love to watch your videos with Portuguese subtitles.

[@miltondiaz7580]

Lpppl

[@NaniFatimana]

Subscribed

[@susanpower9265]

i suspect foul play at sudden death of baldwin iii in his youth and uncle of tremendous champion the saint leper king/anyone know more on reasons for sudden death of baldwin iii?qui bono?

[@RealCrusadesHistory]

There's no evidence of foul play. Sudden death from illness like that was quite common, especially in the Holy Land. There is absolutely no reason to think that Amalric had anything to do with it, he never expected to be king and he and his brother had a good relationship.

[@user-yh4vq8nu7l]

No matter how many times I heard BALDWIN IV story never stop surprising me he's totally the greatest king history!👑

[@RealCrusadesHistory]

Well said!

[@nostradame60]

4:17 anyone know what song played in the background?

[@SigmaAlpha3295]

Dei filius. Homo fidei. Christi bellator. Bellatores Catholic! 💪🏻⚔️🛡

[@njb1126]

Kingdom of heaven has done much to immortalize him in the hearts of crusader history students but it is so skewed. I’ve seen J. Stephen comment before that Baldwin was a “tough young warrior king.” Furthermore KOH portrays all the sympathetic characters as being heavily biased against religion. So when Baldwin said something like “spare me your sermon and get my nephew ready for his coronation” to the priest it seems unusual and ahistorical. Also I know the mask looks really cool but I doubt he wore a metal mask. In the hot Judean summer that metal would’ve burned his already scared face and let more bacteria fester, in the winter it would’ve frozen on, even though leprosy can destroy the pain sensation I can’t imagine wearing that mask to be advantageous. Maybe a veil or a cloth wrapped and dampened with a little wine or olive oil I think he might’ve worn. It is just a movie though. J. Stephen has got the facts, Ridley Scott does not.

[@susanpower9265]

ridley scott is antichristian/fact/full stop

[@deusvult7750]

The metal was made of silver, his armor was tained with silversteel, silver doesn't heat that much in hot conditions .

[@CompelledUsername]

Truly religious men can often see the total falsity in people like that.

[@KeanuPitt]

None of that matters because none of us can confirm how he even really looked

[@WestAbbey]

what mod for Total war did u use for the army videos?

[@RealCrusadesHistory]

Atilla 1212 medieval kingdoms

[@markcana2917]

EDWARD NORTON

[@SeanHiruki]

The Sun Ce of the West. An exceptional ruler and general at a young age who died far too young

[@m.j.vazquez4720]

do you have a vid on how many people died in the crusades ? google says 2-6 million but that doesn't sound right to me

[@stefanvella9807]

thats bullcrap

[@crossbearer6453]

It’s not that the Crusades started out as people indiscriminately butchering others. Just watch more of the channel and take into account that the number of soldiers involved ( and if possible civilian casualties) over all population is said to have been around 860 million at the time Fun fact: atheist regimes killed more people than religious wars did in a decade alone

[@crossbearer6453]

@@stefanvella9807 that’s feasible. Just watch more of the channel

[@m.j.vazquez4720]

@@crossbearer6453 i have watched the channel for a while and as far as i can tell most armies were no more 10,000 often less

[@stefanvella9807]

@@crossbearer6453 yes, stalin and lenin alone killed 10s of millions

[@aarondemiri486]

a great man

[@jacksongordan3176]

God was with him praise be the lord.

[@24kelito]

It would be good is you can put English subtitles, for people how's first language isn't English

[@thebuddhaofknowledgemichae2486]

Is he Norman or Frankish descent?

[@lambert4116]

Frankish. Descended from Fulk of Anjou and Melisende of Jerusalem.

[@deem7478]

Baldwin IV was an Angevin, first cousin to Henry II of England, first cousin once removed to Richard Lionheart.

[@grtwhtbnr]

"Why would you do such a foolish thing? Did you not have a good teacher?" - Saladin ... maybe

[@RealCrusadesHistory]

He never said that. That's from Kingdom of Heaven.

[@grtwhtbnr]

@@RealCrusadesHistory "...maybe"

[@RealCrusadesHistory]

No maybe. He didn't say it.

[@grtwhtbnr]

@@RealCrusadesHistory maybe I should have put it all in quotes and added "jk"?

[@okdude8215]

@@RealCrusadesHistory its hard to say he didnt say that more like there is no evidence of that cuz you werent there you know?

[@doulk2476]

Baldwin the 40's ages Novel Commander.

[@officialkodhark1075]

I just watch the kingdom of heavens and this pop up, I’m stoned.

[@stefanvella9807]

The battle of Montgisard 1177 is 10 x more glorious than the battle of Hattin 1187

[@yasinemir9924]

Turkish subtitles please😀

[@miguelramirez644]

😎👍🏽

[@xtasy6291]

What do you mean,had he faced Baldwin? Actually he didn't rather they had a very respectful and friendly relationship

[@RealCrusadesHistory]

They were bitter enemies and fought many fierce battles. You've been watching too much Kingdom of Heaven.

[@miaamorlarracas]

@@RealCrusadesHistory haha roast… I hate Kingdom of Heaven, too many history alterations. 🫡

[@KeanuPitt]

@@miaamorlarracas prove it

[@predict0518]

Why dont we learn this in school

[@travelguide727]

Really like the medieval times

[@daniele.tbarrett1630]

Should be made a saint

[@bruhmoment6986]

God save King Baldwin!

[@deewesthill1213]

God didn't save him though....

[@misaelfraga8196]

"Jerusalem has come."

[@curingyou]

wish he actually did have the mask but it’s whatever

[@redmercy1012]

I am Jerusalem - baldwin IV

[@madsdahlc]

Yes he was the last great king of the kingdom of Jerusalem. But newer used a mask as shown in movies.

[@KeanuPitt]

Prove it

[@madsdahlc]

@@KeanuPitt because the mask was invented for the movie

[@abraham.j]

No way saladin would have won if Baldwin was alive.

[@adan3956]

Baldwin, no Chadwin, yea

[@KINGKONG-jc7xh]

were the christian prisoners treated well by the Muslims? surprised they would of lived over 2 years ?

[@KristinkaAranova]

Depends on how valuable they were, if they could be ransomed for a large sum of money they’d be treated nicely

[@power279]

@@KristinkaAranova means..they have to pay jizyah for their life..if not .DEATH ARRIVED.

[@Bunyourdesires]

@@power279nothing wrong with Jizya 😂😂😂 your kings were taxing more

[@davidbarton1806]

King bladwin is a true Christian leader ✝️