Discover how a dying teenager achieved the impossible in this documentary about Leper King Baldwin IV. Facing a massive invasion force, this 16 year old monarch strapped himself to a warhorse and rode out to defend his people when the rest of the world had already counted him as dead.

The geopolitical landscape of the Middle East was forever changed by the epic clash of Saladin vs Baldwin. While the Sultan of Egypt commanded 26,000 highly trained veterans, the Kingdom of Jerusalem was left completely undefended. We explore Crusader States history to uncover the shocking truth behind the Battle of Montgisard 1177. You will see the devastating physical toll of leprosy on the young king and the incredibly reckless asymmetric tactics used to secure survival. Witness the fanatical Knights Templar charge led by the ruthless Odo de Saint Amand, and understand how a tiny band of 500 knights shattered an unstoppable military machine. The legacy of Leper King Baldwin IV stands as a brutal, beautiful story of human resilience against impossible odds.

If you are fascinated by forgotten medieval warfare and tales of unyielding willpower, make sure to subscribe to the channel. Thank you for joining us on this deep exploration of Leper King Baldwin IV, and let us know in the comments what historical event or figure we should cover next.

HISTORICAL SOURCES:

William of Tyre, "Historia Rerum in Partibus Transmarinis Gestarum"

Baha ad-Din ibn Shaddad, "The Rare and Excellent History of Saladin"

Bernard Hamilton, "The Leper King and His Heirs"

Thomas Asbridge, "The Crusades: The Authoritative History"

#BaldwinIV #KnightsTemplar #Crusades #History #Documentary