Once, hundreds of years ago,
in the midst of war and toil,
came a boy to the throne to rule
the Kingdom of Jerusalem.
His name was King Baldwin the Fourth,
and he was dying.
At age thirteen, the crown was set upon his brow,
and he ruled for eleven years.
Jerusalem did not grow during his reign
but nor did it falter or weaken
despite his own ailing physical state.
The leprosy stole more than one should sacrifice.
A living corpse was all his people ever saw.
Yet, not given to his own vast grievances,
he ruled the kingdom wise and well,
and frustrated all his enemies.
He held out hope for a savior—
not for himself but for his dying kingdom
where evils lurked within,
and divisions, which could tear the land asunder,
snaked just below the surface—
waiting for death to snuff away his fading life.
He made them wait.
He would have been a noble knight.
He would have been an honored saint.
Yet he was the leper king,
and Time saw it fit that he should be
forgotten by History.
Here is the tale of the bravest king who ever lived.
This is the tale of King Baldwin the Fourth,
so listen well.
YOU ARE READING
King Baldwin IV
Historical FictionYear 1174, a boy at age thirteen is suddenly thrust into power upon the death of his father, King Amalric. He inherits a kingdom at war--the Kingdom of Jerusalem. However, he possesses a secret. He is dying of leprosy. Knowing he could be cast out o...
