The film Kingdom of Heaven made Saladin and Baldwin the Leper King famous to the moviegoing public. But what's the true history behind the movie? We'll find out today! In 1176, Baldwin IV, the Leper King of Jerusalem, turned fifteen, and fully assumed power as king. His first act was to launch a military campaign against his powerful neighbor, Saladin, who ruled the vast Ayyubid Empire stretching from Egypt to Syria. The timing wasn't good for Saladin, who wanted to focus on reducing his Zengid rivals in Syria. Baldwin's ascension forced Saladin to focus on the Kingdom of Jerusalem. Both of these great rulers would meet in combat in 1177 at the Battle of Montigsard, one of the greatest clashes of the Crusades. Here, Baldwin the Leper King was assisted by the Knights Templar, and Raynald of Chatillon. The crusader forces were vastly outnumbered, but they were determined. This wouldn't be the last time Saladin and Baldwin would meet. in 1179, while the Templars were attempting to raise a castle at Jacob's Ford, the Sultan and the Leper would exchange blows again at the Battle of Marj Ayun. In this documentary, we continue looking at the life of Baldwin IV, the Leper King of Jerusalem.

Watch the NEXT video in this series:    • Baldwin the Leper vs. Saladin - CRUSA...  

Watch the first video in this series:    • Baldwin IV, Leper King of Jerusalem: ...  

Special thanks to the outstanding Nedim Can Incebay, who allowed me to showcase some of his brilliant video game editing in this documentary. Please visit his original video on the Battle of Montgisard:
   • BATTLE OF MONTGISARD 1177 I KING BALD...  

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http://www.amazon.com/Why-Does-Heathe...

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Narrated by: Tom Wylde
Animated maps by: Denys Rodionov
Written and edited by: J Stephen Roberts

Voice actors:
Carl Hughes as William of Tyre
Ahmed Al-Bardweel as Ibn al-Athir
Emma Stace Darling as the pilgrim witness to Montgisard

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)

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