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The Leper King and his Heirs

Baldwin IV and the Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem

Bernard Hamilton author

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Cambridge University Press

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A vivid revisionary account of the reign of Baldwin IV of Jerusalem.

Baldwin IV of Jerusalem (1174–85) suffered from lepromatous leprosy, the most deadly form of the disease. This book challenges the traditional negative views of his reign and shows how, despite his illness, he gave his people good military leadership and presided over a vigorous and self-confident society.The reign of King Baldwin IV of Jerusalem (1174–85) has traditionally been seen as a period of decline when, because of the king's illness, power came to be held by unsuitable men who made the wrong policy decisions. Notably, they ignored the advice of Raymond of Tripoli and attacked Saladin, who was prepared to keep peace with the Franks while uniting the Islamic near east under his rule. This book challenges that view, arguing that peace with Saladin was not a viable option for the Franks; that the young king, despite suffering from lepromatous leprosy (the most deadly form of the disease) was an excellent battle leader who strove with some success to frustrate Saladin's imperial ambitions; that Baldwin had to remain king in order to hold factions in check; but that the society over which he presided was, contrary to what is often said, vigorous and self-confident.

' … compelling … the book stands as a gifted work and one of the best introductions to the world of the Latin East produced to date.' BBC History Magazine
' … judicious and learned book.' The Times Literary Supplement
' … Hamilton's evaluation of Baldwin is convincing and compelling.' Journal of Ecclesiastical History

ISBN: 9780521641876

Dimensions: 236mm x 160mm x 26mm

Weight: 645g

316 pages