The Land Beyond the Sea

Kingdom of Jerusalem, 1172–1187. Baldwin IV inherits the crusader kingdom while suffering from leprosy, forcing court factions to plan for a succession he may not live to control. Balian of Ibelin, Raymond of Tripoli, Agnes of Courtenay and others compete over alliances, marriages and the choice of a future ruler as Saladin consolidates power around them.

The struggle eventually centres on Baldwin’s sister Sibylla and her husband Guy of Lusignan. Internal divisions, Raynald of Châtillon’s attacks and disputed military decisions weaken the kingdom, culminating in the destruction of the crusader army at Hattin and the loss of Jerusalem.