The King of Jerusalem - the terrifying hero in history

Despite being blind, paralyzing his limbs, "Bald King IV" Baldwin IV, the king of the Kingdom of Jerusalem remained resilient in battle. He was the terror of Muslims in the 12th century.

Portrait of King Baldwin.

World history has recorded how many examples of extraordinary and brave kings. If Pharaoh Ramesses II alone repelled tens of thousands of ambushed Hittites, then Alexander the Great dared to lead a few dozen cavalry to attack the ranks of hundreds of thousands of Persian troops.

There is one thing in common between these two wars, which are healthy people, good at fighting and the enemy is . the farmer - not possessing many combat skills. However, for someone who is sick enough to be unable to hold a sword by hand, it is hard to believe that doing such a hero is hard to believe. However, there was one person who did that. It was King Baldwin IV - the leprous king of the Kingdom of Jerusalem.

Baldwin IV - the great leper king of Jerusalem (scene in the movie Kingdom of Heaven).

The question is how can a leper king become the guardian of the faith, the Christian world savior or the hero of the temple knights? Based on the sources of motivation or the kind of willpower that a person seemed to be disabled, knowing himself 'could not see the 30s' (in fact he only lived for 24 years) could protect Jerusalem from Saladin - who was dubbed the immortal Warrior of Islam during that period of reign?

By the end of his life, when he was completely blind and paralyzed, Baldwin still made his enemies dare not attack the Kingdom of Heaven even though their forces were much stronger and stronger. It is indeed an attempt to exceed human limits.

Childhood has no knowledge of physical pain

In 1161, Prince Baldwin (the son of King Amalric and Queen Agnes) was born in Jerusalem - the Kingdom of the Crusader Cross, the Holy Land for both Christianity and Islam.

From a very young age, Baldwin revealed the qualities of an envoy. The boy is extremely intelligent, studious. The king's personal teacher, William of Tire, described this Prince: 'He learns everything very fast and handsome. As time went on, he was full of hope and developed his natural abilities skillfully. In controlling horses, he proved to be even better than older men, in addition, Baldwin had a great memory of the same interest to hear old stories'.

William of Tire realized that the prince did not know how to hurt

One day, William of Tire discovered that the future king had no knowledge of pain, the boy did not cry even though he was pinched by other children. At first, William just thought, the 9-year-old prince was just showing himself to be sturdy and brave, but when examined more closely, he found out, Baldwin had completely lost his sense of arm - a symptom of leprosy .

At that time, people were terrified of this disease by the horrific complications of shape that occurred to the sick. The Saracens (the word that Europeans used to call Muslims) affirmed that the disease was the punishment of Allah on the heads of the pagans - daring to take over their Jerusalem.

Even Christians think that they are punished by God. And when the head of Jerusalem suffers from the disease, they know that the Kingdom of Heaven is about to collapse.

Many historians believe that the king actually wore a protective mask like this, not just on film

4 years after William of Tire discovered the disease of the young prince, King Amalric died and Baldwin officially became king of Jerusalem at the age of 13. Because the king was too young, Miles of Plancy - closest relative of the king became regent.

Soon after, Miles was killed and Raymond of Tripoli became a replacement. In 1175, Raymond of Tripoli signed a peace treaty with Saladin - Ayyubid dynasty leader and also the leader of the Muslim world then to keep Jerusalem peaceful, at least for a few years.

Wisdom and genius vision of a military brother

But Baldwin was well aware of his role. At the age of 15, when other children were still like to hang on, going out, he became a powerful king.

In 1176, the young king officially retained the full power of the Kingdom of Jerusalem. 2 years have passed since the day when the boy did not know how to become a king, the leprosy had really become much worse. It tortured Baldwin's body wherever he was, causing him to gradually become disabled.

Baldwin IV and Saladin (scenes from the movie Kingdom of Heaven)

Despite the difficult conditions, not accepting and surrendering to the grim fate and being more uneasy to receive the unlawful distribution of peace from Saladin the king immediately abolished the treaty with Saladin. He knew that, if he accepted the postponement, to let Saladin's army comfortably throw the surrounding lands, sooner or later Jerusalem would collapse.

Baldwin took the lead in conquering lands around Damascus, which left Saladin to abandon his attack on Aleppo and retreat to defense. Also in 1176, Baldwin defeated the army of Saladin's nephew in Lebanon and Syria.

In the first few months alone, Baldwin proved to everyone that he had a very clever tactical mind. Instead of defending Aleppo, Baldwin and his troops to attack Damascus, Saladin had to abandon his campaign. In the Sun Dynasty , this is the famous 'Wei Rescue Zhao' .

Image of Byzantine empire

Shortly thereafter, Baldwin planned to strike straight into the Egyptian fortress, where all the forces of Saladin gathered, located in Cairo, Giza, Luxor . Realizing that Jerusalem was weak on naval warfare, the young king alliance with the Byzantine Empire.

The plan seemed to be going smoothly, William of Montferrat - the king's brother-in-law and at the same time the most important factor of the sick campaign and died. After that, it was the king's turn that caused the campaign to stall.

The Byzantine court was worried and decided not to agree to support this military campaign. The campaign to destroy Saladin collapsed and it caused the Crusaders to never be able to harm Saladin's place any more later. Unfortunately, the only person who saw the importance of this campaign, King Baldwin could not fulfill his wish.

Saladin - one of the most famous conquerors in the world must also be afraid of Baldwin IV

Later historians believe that if Baldwin succeeds, the kingdom of Jerusalem will last a long time, not collapse so quickly. World history will change a lot if that day Saladin lost.

Unbelievable victory at Montgisard - the birth of the Faith Guardian

Not only has wisdom and genius vision, what makes Baldwin IV a great king is an unbelievable courage at the famous battle of Montgisard - where the 16-year-old king defeated the team elite soldiers are tens of times larger.

After the Egyptian campaign was canceled, Philip of Flanders brought his army to the border in northern Jerusalem and Raymond of Tripoli also joined. This makes Jerusalem extremely dangerous.

The king was seriously ill and the soldiers had left. Saladin, of course, could not miss the chance that Saint Allah had given him, bringing 26,000 elite soldiers and Egyptian guards Khassaki head to Jerusalem.

26,000 mighty Saracen soldiers head to Jerusalem .

On his deathbed, Baldwin transmitted 600 temple knights and several thousand local soldiers to resist Saladin. The condition of his health was so bad that people thought he was about to die.

Bernard Hamilton, author of "Baldwin IV - the leper and heirs " described the king as " half dead" . The king's army compares to 26,000 Muslim warriors just like a candle before the storm. Realizing that, Saladin ignored King Baldwin and headed towards Jerusalem.

On the way to Jerusalem, Saladin attacked Ramla, Lydda, Arsuf and sent the troops to a very wide area, looting because of the king's assumption that nothing could be done with the disabled army.

. and clash with King Baldwin IV and the temple knights at Mons Gisardi

The army of God encountered Saladin at Mons Gisardi, near Ramla. This made Saladin very surprised. He hurriedly gathered his army, arrayed in front of the enemy.

From afar, the army led by Baldwin IV remained silent, and the king ordered the huge Cross before the front line. And the king himself, despite carrying a terrible illness, still struggled to get off his horse, kneel before the Cross, praying God for victory and standing up and exhorting soldiers.

While Saladin is still gathering his team, the army of God has flooded like a flood. The king, his right hand wrapped in bandages, could not grasp, his left hand swung straight into the middle of Saladin's center.

Baldwin is determined to join the battle

Historian Stephen Howarth recounted: '26,000 Saracen warriors were there, confronting a few hundred cavalry Gods but the Saracens were mostly killed, others fled. Saladin escaped because he rode a camel. The young king with his bandaged hand always leads the ranks of the Gods, with St. George by his side . "

It is said: "The Cross lit up like the Sun. It was an incredible, resonant victory of the first Crusade. But it was the last time a Muslim army was defeated by forces so small '.

Knight Templar

The immortal Muslim warrior was terrified and if not for the best camel, Saladin was arrested in the middle of the battlefield. 26,000 of his elite soldiers were destroyed without armor, the famous Khassaki guard was killed almost, Saladin's grandson was also killed in the battle.

Baldwin continued to chase Saladin until the night came down to Ascalon. 10 days later, there were 10 heavy rainy days, Saladin's defeated army left only 2,000 people, struggling with hunger and thirst as well as stealing new roads to Egypt.

By owning the strongest camel, Saladin ran away from the battlefield

Years later, Saladin recalled this defeat as a terrible disaster. However, after returning to Egypt, Saladin ordered no one to talk about this defeat and must consider it a victory, he only retreated.

The battle of Montgisard that made Baldwin IV a legend. Throughout the Christian kingdoms, people confess to the young king the Savior of the Lord, who protects the faith .

24 years - a legend

The glory of victory does not ease the rapidly increasing spread of leprosy. Meanwhile, Baldwin IV's successor has no one. In 1183, the king was officially blind, his limbs were so destroyed that nothing could be done.

Baldwin IV appointed Guy de Lusignan as a consul . However, soon after, Guy de Lusignan proved too weak in unifying the classes and did not dare to confront Saladin despite holding the strongest army ever on the holy land - the army due Main Baldwin IV built. Therefore, the burden of an entire kingdom was once again placed on Baldwin IV's shoulders.

Portrait of Guy de Lusignan

At the end of 1183, the wedding of the king's sister, Isabel, was held in Kerak, and noticed Saladin. Immediately, the Muslim leader brought his army to surround the castle while everyone was celebrating.

Baldwin IV, though he was completely a disabled man, ordered his entourage to put himself on a stretcher to bring relief to Kerak. Frightened by this extraordinary effort, at the same time knowing the excellent military command of the young king, Saladin ordered the withdrawal. In 1184, Saladin once again besieged Kerak and soon withdrew his troops because Baldwin IV appeared on the battlefield, even on a stretcher.

Until the final years of life, the name Baldwin IV was still the terror of Muslims

On May 16, 1185, Baldwin IV's soul was met by God. He was cremated at the Church of the Rock Tomb in Jerusalem. Two years after the king's death, Guy de Lusignan fell under the hands of Saladin and the Kingdom of Jerusalem fell into the hands of Muslims.

Twenty-five years of Baldwin IV's life was an epic poem like what was written on the roof of the Church of the Tomb: Per Crucem and Lucem (From the cross to light). The belief of the young king helped Jerusalem peacefully for as long as he reigned.

Later historians argue that what killed Baldwin IV was actually not leprosy. He could live much longer than that, but the relentless battles made his wound too severe. Anyway, it can be said that what he did in 9 years of reign was worth more than 90 years of peaceful life.

The Kingdom of Jerusalem collapsed forever and the name Saladin became the terror of Christianity until King Richard I (or Richard the Lion) appeared. The complex relationship between Saladin and Richard made the setting of the Crusades much more interesting. And that's another story .

1. The king is proud to conquer more than 5 million km2 on 3 continents