William of Tyre's Discovery of Baldwin IV's Leprosy

William of Tyre, tutor to Prince Baldwin of Jerusalem, discovered the prince had leprosy during a childhood game. Baldwin showed no pain when pinched by peers, leading William to investigate. Despite medieval Western views of leprosy as contagious and a divine punishment, Eastern attitudes were more tolerant. Baldwin was diagnosed after his father King Amalric's death in 1174, becoming king at 13. He refused to let the disease hinder his rule, learning to ride with only his knees and leading troops to victory at the Battle of Montgisard in 1177 at age 16. His leprosy worsened, causing blindness and loss of use of extremities, yet he remained king until his death in 1185 at age 24. His illness contributed to succession crises and the eventual fall of Jerusalem in 1187.