Baldwin

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Baldwin
Alias(es)	Prince Baldwin; Baldwin IV; King of Jerusalem; Saint Baldwin; Baldwin of Jerusalem 105 114 620
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Kingdom of Jerusalem; Holy Cross Castle 5 105
Occupation/Role	Heir to Jerusalem, later King of Jerusalem; knight and military commander 5 123 126
Status	Deceased; later revered as Saint Baldwin in accounts of the Holy King's era 620 622
First Appearance	Chapter 4

Background / History

At nine years old, Baldwin is diagnosed with leprosy and becomes isolated at Holy Cross Castle. Servants fear physical contact with him, and he initially believes that he will be sent to a monastery. Despite this, he studies Greek, Latin, and Saracen, and chooses not to harshly punish servants who mistreat him. 4 5

King Amalric I refuses to disinherit him, affirming that Baldwin remains Jerusalem's heir. Amalric assigns Cesar as Baldwin's attendant; Baldwin initially resists because he fears the danger and stigma Cesar will face, but gradually accepts Cesar's companionship. 5

Baldwin and Cesar undergo the Selection Ceremony and are chosen after a plot involving drugged church lamps leaves them unconscious for an extended period. Baldwin survives the dangerous aftermath but continues to show symptoms of leprosy. 40 46

He follows the demanding hygiene, dietary, rest, and medicinal routines established by Cesar and Heraclius. These measures slow his illness's progression and improve his condition despite the stigma surrounding his disease. 51 94

After Amalric I's death, Baldwin is crowned King of Jerusalem in a solemn ceremony marked more by grief for his father than celebration for his accession. 105

Appearance

Baldwin is a refined-looking but chronically ill young man who often conceals his condition behind protective clothing. His illness affects his skin and hands, though careful treatment keeps visible symptoms under control for long periods. 5 51 342

• Wears a stiff face veil and gloves during his early isolation. 5 12
• Has gray-blue eyes described as hard as steel and wild as flame. 310
• Has a slender build compared with Cesar. 333
• Uses masks when necessary to conceal or manage the public perception of his leprosy. 341
• Maintains strict personal cleanliness, including specialized underclothes, medicinal baths, tooth powder, and a boar-bristle toothbrush. 51 256 341

Personality

Baldwin is compassionate even when suffering. As a child, he accepts mistreatment from frightened servants rather than punish them severely, reasoning that exile and loss of status are punishment enough. 5

His illness leaves him deeply sensitive to rejection and abandonment, especially after childhood companions withdraw from him. Yet he tries to remain magnanimous and understands that leadership requires him to look beyond personal resentment. 84 256

He is intensely protective of Cesar, often placing Cesar's safety above political advantage. This protectiveness repeatedly conflicts with Cesar's desire to take risks as an envoy, commander, and independent political figure. 133 310 333

Baldwin can be stubborn, impulsive, and willing to take dangerous action. Heraclius compares him to an unruly colt, while also recognizing that Baldwin's devotion to duty and faith makes him difficult to condemn. 255

“I do not need respect. Loyalty is enough.” 18

“There is also love—the love of friends and brothers.” 18

Abilities & Skills

Languages and Learning

Baldwin receives an extensive royal education from childhood and is notably perceptive in political situations.

• Studies Greek, Latin, and Saracen; he can understand most Bedouin-derived Saracen speech. 4
• Receives instruction in grammar, astronomy, riding, lance work, falconry, and archery. 11 46
• Quickly recognizes Alexios's humiliation and the Byzantine court's hostile political undercurrents. 192
• Values books and learning, showing particular interest in Constantinople's library. 192

Combat and Military Command

Baldwin is trained as a knight and develops into a capable battlefield commander despite his chronic illness.

• Learns more martial techniques than most children his age under Count Raymond of Tripoli. 11
• Becomes a knight alongside Cesar. 123
• Leads Jerusalem's forces against Nur ad-Din outside Makab Castle and helps bring the enemy army to collapse. 126
• Defeats and captures Sultan Arslan II in single combat, then chooses not to press his advantage for political reasons. 187
• Personally enters a dense forest to search for the missing Emperor Manuel I. 188
• Proves his physical capability publicly by defeating three knights in succession during a tournament while masked. 341

Kingship and Administration

As king, Baldwin takes an active role in Jerusalem's government rather than relying solely on ministers.

• Plans a progress through his realm to assess its cities, nobles, supplies, and military readiness firsthand. 119
• Appoints and dismisses officials during wartime, replacing ineffective officeholders with capable young men. 257
• Handles petitions, accusations, military supply coordination, and disputes among nobles. 256 257
• Understands the importance of raising Cesar's standing from valued companion to politically recognized commander and governor. 273

Chosen Grace

Baldwin is chosen during the Selection Ceremony, an event treated as a divine miracle by Jerusalem's court and clergy.

• Survives the ceremony's dangerous aftermath despite sabotage involving poppy paste. 40 46
• Grows rapidly after receiving Grace. 67
• Is regarded by later supporters as favored by Heaven because of his recovery and achievements. 407
• His physical limitations remain significant; leprosy continues to affect his public life and requires constant care. 46 94 341

Equipment / Mounts

• Spear of Saint George — manifests as a miraculous weapon associated with Baldwin; he later threatens a papal envoy with it in fury over Cesar's condemnation. 50 310
• Face veil, gloves, and mask — used to conceal his illness and reduce public fear of contagion. 5 12 341
• Pollux — one of Baldwin's horses; carries him during Cesar and Richard's reunion at Jaffa Gate. 333
• Castor and Pollux — beloved ponies from his youth, remembered in later accounts. 622

Relationships

• Amalric I — father and King of Jerusalem. Amalric refuses to abandon Baldwin after his diagnosis, preserves his succession, and entrusts Cesar to him. 5
• Cesar — attendant, squire, knight, confidant, and sworn brother without blood ties. They share an exceptionally close bond built on loyalty, protection, and mutual trust. 31 46 101 310
• Heraclius — teacher, advisor, physician, and paternal figure. He protects Baldwin's status, administers religious and medical support, and regularly rebukes Baldwin's recklessness. 10 255
• Sibylla — elder sister. Baldwin once trusts and loves her deeply, but their relationship deteriorates as he learns of her schemes against Cesar and her obsession with him. 18 403 622
• Isabella — younger sister. Baldwin is delighted by her birth and gradually forms an affectionate bond with her. 67 105
• Countess of Jaffa — Baldwin's mother. Their reunion is affectionate, and she recognizes the sincerity of Cesar's care for Baldwin. 47 51
• Queen Mother Mary — stepmother and political advisor. She supports Baldwin's reign while warning him of the political danger posed by Cesar's emerging family ties and influence. 133 134
• Richard I — close friend and fellow ruler. Richard openly risks contact with Baldwin despite his leprosy and treats him with intense affection. 87 333
• David — former attendant and the heir of Tripoli. David's departure after Baldwin's diagnosis becomes one source of Baldwin's feelings of abandonment, though David later redeems himself. 12 183 622
• Abigail — former attendant and Sibylla's husband. Baldwin loses respect for Abigail because of his manipulation, cowardice, and repeated attempts to evade duty. 12 255 257
• Bohemond of Antioch — Amalric's former companion and a powerful noble whose counsel and loyalty become increasingly suspect to Baldwin. 46 304 379

Story Role / Major Arcs

Isolation at Holy Cross Castle

Baldwin's diagnosis leaves him cut off from servants, companions, and much of ordinary court life. Amalric's decision to retain him as heir and introduce Cesar becomes the foundation of Baldwin's recovery from despair. 4 5

The Selection Ceremony

Baldwin is chosen alongside Cesar, but enemies exploit the ceremony by poisoning the church lamps with poppy paste. The event strengthens Baldwin's status while making his condition a matter of religious and political significance. 40 46

Coronation and Early Rule

Following Amalric I's death, Baldwin becomes king under immense pressure. He must abandon his attachment to the life of a prince and assume the responsibilities of rulership, court administration, succession, and war. 105 114 119

Campaigns Against Jerusalem's Enemies

Baldwin proves his military ability against Nur ad-Din and Arslan II. His victories establish him as more than a symbolic king, even as his illness remains a source of concern to allies and rivals. 126 187

Cesar's Excommunication Crisis

When Cesar is threatened by conspiracy and papal excommunication, Baldwin's loyalty becomes openly confrontational. He considers abdication to protect Cesar, though Cesar refuses to take Jerusalem's throne. 304 310

Later Reign and Egypt

Baldwin continues to rule and campaign despite chronic illness, eventually conquering Egypt—an achievement that surprises contemporaries who expected his condition to prevent a long and successful reign. 342 399

Legacy

• Later generations remember Baldwin as Saint Baldwin, the beloved friend and kin of Cesar, the Holy King. 620
• His armor is buried with him alongside Cesar's armor. 620 622
• Later accounts describe Baldwin and Cesar as having shared “a tent, a horse, a room, a kingdom.” 619
• A film seen in the extra chapters depicts Baldwin's death, Cesar's refusal of Jerusalem's throne, and Isabella's succession with Cesar remaining at her side. 622