### DNA Testing Just Revealed What Was Really Wrong With King Baldwin IV — Historians Are Stunned
The story of Baldwin IV, the boy-king of Jerusalem, has long been steeped in tragedy. Ascending to the throne as a child who felt no pain, he faced a life marked by suffering, eventually succumbing to blindness and paralysis.
For generations, historians believed his demise was solely due to leprosy. However, recent medical analyses have uncovered a more complex truth, suggesting that Baldwin IV was afflicted by a combination of diseases that medieval healers could not have recognized. This revelation raises critical questions about the nature of his illness and how it went unnoticed for centuries.
In 1161, while playing in the courtyard, a sharp fingernail cut Baldwin’s forearm, and blood flowed, but he felt no pain. His tutor, William of Tyre, observed this alarming lack of sensation, prompting him to conduct private tests. Baldwin’s inability to feel pain became evident, and soon numbness spread through his hands.
Despite the chaos of his upbringing, with Jerusalem caught in the crossfire of the Crusades, Baldwin was expected to embody strength and divine promise. However, as his condition worsened, medieval physicians struggled to diagnose his ailment. They applied various treatments, consulting experts, but nothing restored his feeling.
The numbness progressed rapidly, affecting his hands and feet, leading to whispers of leprosy. Yet, Baldwin’s symptoms did not align perfectly with the expected patterns of the disease. The contradictions baffled physicians, who were left with no alternative diagnosis. By age ten, Baldwin’s condition deteriorated, and by thirteen, he was crowned king, fully aware of his failing health. He fought valiantly against Saladin’s forces, demonstrating remarkable courage despite his physical limitations.
As Baldwin’s reign continued, his health declined further. By the age of twenty, he was nearly blind and could barely walk. Despite his debilitating condition, he maintained a sharp mind and continued to lead his kingdom. However, the public spectacle of his illness became unavoidable. Chroniclers documented his struggle, noting the stark contrast between his physical decay and his unwavering determination.
In March 1185, Baldwin IV passed away at the young age of twenty-three. His death marked not just the loss of a king but the end of an era for the Kingdom of Jerusalem.
Historians debated the true nature of his illness for centuries, with many attributing it solely to leprosy. Yet, the recent analysis suggests a dual diagnosis: Baldwin likely suffered from Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, a hereditary neuropathy, alongside leprosy. This combination of conditions explains the rapid progression of his symptoms and the unique challenges he faced.
Modern medical historians believe that Baldwin’s case reveals the complexities of his illness, which went unrecognized in medieval times. The interplay between hereditary neuropathy and leprosy created a situation where Baldwin could function remarkably well despite his deteriorating body. This new understanding not only sheds light on Baldwin IV’s tragic life but also challenges long-held assumptions about health and disease in the medieval period. The legacy of Baldwin IV now stands as a testament to human resilience in the face of overwhelming adversity, prompting a reevaluation of historical narratives surrounding one of the most tragic figures of the Crusades.
