Talk:Baldwin IV of Jerusalem

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[edit] Marriage?

so BAldwin married his mother? yes or no?

What are you referring to? Adam Bishop 06:14, 24 May 2005 (UTC)

No, Baldwin IV, the Leper King, never married. During his lifetime, the prevailing view was that physical contact of any kind would cause the transfer of the disease. We now know this is not true. It would take considerable exposure over time. Presently, a course of antibitoics easily handles the disease but in some parts of the world such as India, the stigma is still so strong that people showing symptoms avoid treatment rather than reveal their status as infected. This is unfortunate since the longer it goes untreated, the more damage a person suffers. During King Baldwin's lifetime, there was no effective treatment of the disease, only treatments to try and relieve the discomfort of the symptoms. Baldwin IV was succeeded by his sister's son Baldwin V.LiPollis 23:40, 12 October 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Mask?

Did baldwin wear a metal mask?

I don't know of any source that says he did. I suppose it was cheaper than leper makeup, though. Adam Bishop 01:07, 28 January 2006 (UTC)

There's no reference in any contemporary source to how he concealed some of his affliction, or if he did. A metal mask is unlikely, though, for reasons of heat and weight. Silverwhistle 19:35, 18 March 2006 (UTC)

The metal mask seen in the film The Kingdom is an invention of the screenwriter. In the last years of his life, Baldwin IV was blind and crippled from his affliction and not riding out to battle in armor and a pretty silver mask. He may well have covered his face, but there is no historical description of him doing so. I would assume that by the time his disease had progressed to the point of facial disfigurement, he would have been blind and crippled and therefore secluded and in no need of a disguise. LiPollis 23:40, 12 October 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Question about the Templars

were the templar knights mere mercenaries,compared to todays thought that they were trusted knights,of some importance.and there to protect the royal house of baldwin

No, the Templars were a military monastic order, essentially the armed offshoot of the Cistercian order. They took monastic vows and were sworn to defend the holy places and protect pilgrims. Where did you get the idea they were mercenaries? Silverwhistle 19:05, 2 July 2006 (UTC)