Baldwin III (1130, 1143-1163) The older brother of Amalric, Baldwin III was only thirteen when he came to the throne in 1143. His early reign was dominated by his mother, Queen Melisende, and in his youth Baldwin was fond of hunting, games, and carrying on affairs with women. However, once he came of age and asserted himself as King, Baldwin devoted himself totally to the serious business of ruling, and was a loyal husband to his Byzantine wife Theodora. William of Tyre tells us that Baldwin was unusually handsome: tall and blonde like his mother and grandfather.
Baldwin III, King of Jerusalem, reigned from 1143 to 1163.
The older brother of Amalric, Baldwin III was only 13 when he came to the throne in
1143.
His early reign was dominated by his mother, Queen Melisande, and in his youth, Baldwin
was fond of hunting, games, and carrying on affairs with women.
However, once he came of age and asserted himself as king, Baldwin devoted himself totally
to the serious business of ruling and was a loyal husband to his Byzantine wife, Theodora.
William of Tyre tells us that Baldwin was unusually handsome, tall, and blonde, like
his mother and grandfather.
Baldwin III ruled during one of the most challenging periods in the kingdom's history, with Nur ad-Din
on the rise.
In 1150, Baldwin and his knights successfully rescued the Christian civilians of Terbasel
In 1158, he defeated Nur ad-Din in battle and captured the fortress of Harem.
But the crowning achievement of Baldwin III's career was undoubtedly his conquest of the
great Fatimid city of Ascalon in 1153.
Highly intelligent, Baldwin III was an eager student of history and law who enjoyed conversing
with intellectuals.
On the death of Baldwin III in 1163, Nur ad-Din said that the Franks
of the world does not possess today.
