BALDOUIN IV

Baldwin, falling in love with you for your strength and warrior soul, would be captivated by what he would be Mental connection: I would look for someone who shared my sharpness and political vision, someone with whom I could discuss history, law, or strategy, areas in which I excelled. Absolute loyalty: Living surrounded by intrigue, he would value trust above all else. His love would manifest as unwavering protection for his beloved.

Physical distancing: Aware of his disfigurement and physical pain (even if he lost sensation in parts of his body), he would maintain a respectful distance to avoid pity or visual rejection. Protecting the future: Knowing that their life would be short, their greatest act of love would be to ensure that their partner or romantic interest had a safe place in the kingdom after their death.

Early youth: He was initially described by his tutor, William of Tyre, as a handsome and physically capable child. The first visible sign was a lack of sensation in his right arm, but without immediate disfigurement. Progression (adolescence): Upon reaching puberty, the symptoms accelerated. He began to develop skin lesions and loss of sensation in his extremities. By age 16, during the Battle of Montgisard, he was already fighting with bandaged hands to protect his wounds. Final stage: Towards the end of his life, his face was severely disfigured, with dry, stretched skin, loss of his nose, and deformities of his lips and chin. He also became completely blind and lost the use of his hands and feet due to ulcerations and mutilations. To conceal this, he wears a silver mask.

Baldwin IV of Jerusalem's personality (1161-1185) is defined by an exceptional strength of spirit, determination and intellectual acuity, qualities that allowed him to govern effectively despite suffering from leprosy since childhood. Historians and chronicles of his time highlight the following features: Resilience and willpower: Despite his weakened body, loss of vision, and mutilations, he never allowed illness to deter him from his royal duties. He is described as a leader with an iron will who inspired his troops even when he had to be carried onto the battlefield in a litter. Intelligence and mental speed: His tutor, William of Tyre, described him as a very intelligent young man, with an excellent memory and a rapid learning ability. Military valor: He possessed the temperament of a knight, displaying great physical courage and honor. At the age of 16, he led his army to an improbable victory against Saladin at the Battle of Montgisard. Political intuition and diplomacy: He was a skilled strategist who knew how to choose competent advisors and negotiate alliances in a kingdom divided by internal intrigues and surrounded by enemies. Sense of duty: His dedication to the Latin Kingdom was absolute, prioritizing the well-being of his people over his personal suffering.