Baldwin IV Fought Through Leprosy

Crusader king Baldwin IV of Jerusalem repeatedly checked Saladin's forces despite suffering from leprosy, which gradually robbed him of movement. Diagnosed around age nine, he became king at 13 and led from the front during his decisive victory over Saladin at Montgisard in 1177, when he was 16. Baldwin continued resisting invasions after losing the use of one hand and later commanded his forces from a litter when he could no longer ride. He died in the spring of 1185 at age 24.

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