Search for Treasure Worldwide Chapter 37: The Leper King’s Mask
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"Steven, whose helmet and mask are these? Compared with the previous helmets of the Templars, this helmet and mask look more refined, but also very weird!"
David asked, pointing to the helmet and mask on the stone platform in front of him, his eyes full of curiosity.
The same goes for Bishop Kent standing next to him. He was also confused when he looked at the helmet and mask in front of him.
At this time, the three of them were standing in front of a stone platform about 1.23 meters high in the center of the hall, looking at the things placed on the stone platform.
There are three things on the stone platform, a medieval-style knight's helmet, a metal mask, and a metal box about one meter long and one meter wide, lying across the stone platform.
The helmets and masks were placed on the left and right on the box. The moss and dust originally attached to the two antiques had been gently wiped away by Ye Tian with a soft cloth, revealing the true colors of the two antiques. .
As for the metal box below, it still maintains its previous appearance for the time being. It is covered with a thick layer of moss and dust, and its specific appearance cannot be clearly seen.
Unlike the previous helmets of the Templar Knights, although the helmet and mask in front of me have been sleeping here for more than seven hundred years, there is no trace of rust on them, but they are a little black and look black.
That is a unique phenomenon of metal oxidation, and it can be easily cleaned away to completely restore it to its original appearance and shine again.
On the top of the helmet, there is a base that protrudes upward. There is a round hole as thick as a thumb in the center of the base, which should be used to insert accessories, such as crosses, red tassels, golden pheasant feathers, etc.
In the center of the forehead of this helmet, there is a small cross engraved on it. It is different from the other crosses of the Knights Templar. It is the most orthodox cross.
This metal helmet does not have a protective mask, but the wrapping performance is very good, which can perfectly protect the user's head, and also provides excellent protection for the neck and ears.
Although this full-metal helmet does not have a visor, when combined with the metal visor placed next to it, it happens to be a complete set of medieval knight's helmet.
Like the helmet, the surface of the metal mask next to it is also somewhat blackened. This is also the result of metal oxidation and is not difficult to clean.
However, the shape of this mask looks quite strange, or weird. This is what makes David and Bishop Kent curious and puzzled.
There is not much decoration on the surface of the mask. There are two oval-shaped holes for the eyes, the nose is raised upward, exactly like a human nose, but there are only a few small holes for the mouth to allow the user to breathe!
I don’t know whether it is deliberate or due to limitations of the craftsmanship, but there are dense forging marks on this mask. At first glance, it looks like it is covered with pockmarks, which gives people a very strange feeling.
The same is true for the neck guard of the full-metal helmet, which is also covered with dots of forging marks, or pockmarks, which seems more appropriate.
Ye Tian did not respond immediately to David's inquiry.
He picked up the metal helmet and mask on the stone platform in turn, looked over them carefully, pondered for a moment, and then said excitedly:
"I know whose helmet and mask these are. Judging from the age and characteristics of the two antiques, they probably belong to the King of Jerusalem, the famous Leper King Baldwin IV.
Baldwin IV reigned for a short time because he was suffering from leprosy. He became the king of the Kingdom of Jerusalem at the age of thirteen. He was killed by leprosy at the age of only twenty-four and died young!
But in Western history, Baldwin IV is famous and can be called a famous hero. He is also one of the few legendary kings in the history of the Kingdom of Jerusalem, with outstanding military talents! ”
Before he finished speaking, David and Bishop Kent exclaimed in low voices.
"Wow! These are actually the helmet and mask of the Leper King Baldwin IV. They must be priceless top-notch antiques, and their value will certainly not be lower than Hugo de Paing's set of knight equipment.
We have heard countless legends about this leper king since childhood, and there are countless various movies and TV series. His name and image are almost household names in the entire Western world! ”
"Didn't Baldwin IV die in Jerusalem in 1185 due to the worsening of leprosy? With his status as king and the leprosy that everyone fears, how could his weapons and equipment appear here?"
Ye Tian looked at the two guys beside him, then smiled and explained:
"Of course I have my own reasons for making such a judgment. The first is the age determination of these two antique artifacts. They are from the mid-to-late twelfth century. I am very sure about this and there is no way I can be wrong.
Let’s talk about the famous leprosy king Baldwin IV. When he became the king of the Kingdom of Jerusalem at the age of thirteen, he was diagnosed with leprosy, and Baldwin IV never shied away from it.
Perhaps due to the rebellious psychology of young people, he not only did not shy away from leprosy, which was feared by everyone at the time, but even made all the masks he wore daily to look like leprosy patients.
Now it seems that this legend is not groundless. The full metal helmet and leprosy-style metal mask in front of you perfectly prove this legend. Baldwin IV did indeed do this.
Except for Baldwin IV, I have never heard of a king or knight in the Middle Ages who made his mask look like leprosy. Even if someone followed suit, their relics are not qualified to be placed here."
Hearing this, David and Bishop Kent couldn't help but nodded slightly.
"Yes! There is indeed such a legend, and there are also written records in relevant Vatican books. Baldwin IV did make his mask in the style of leprosy, and he is the only one to do so. There is no other semicolon!"
Bishop Kent continued, obviously agreeing with Ye Tian's analysis.
After a pause, Ye Tian continued:
“During the Middle Ages, due to the backwardness of medical treatment, coupled with long-term military campaigns and lack of attention to personal hygiene, there were many knights suffering from leprosy among the Crusader knights, and the Knights Templar were no exception.
In addition, we can also infer from the relationship between Baldwin IV and the Knights Templar. Although Baldwin IV suffered from leprosy and his reign was short, he enjoyed high prestige among the Crusaders.
As we all know, in the Battle of Mongissa in 1177, the 16-year-old Baldwin IV took the lead and led less than 500 knights and less than 3,000 infantry to defeat Saladin's army in one fell swoop. .
In that famous battle, Saladin's most elite Mamluk cavalry was almost wiped out, and the number of casualties reached 20,000. By the time Saladin fled back to Egypt in embarrassment, the remaining soldiers were no longer as strong as when they set out. one tenth.
At that time, most of the knights who followed Baldwin IV into battle were members of the Knights Templar stationed in the Holy Land. It was this battle that established Baldwin IV's high prestige among all Crusader knights.
According to legend, when a mass charge was ordered, the sixteen-year-old Leper King Baldwin IV took the lead and rushed to the front of the team. The 'True Cross' next to him radiated as brightly as the sun.
But this is just a legend, and its credibility needs to be discounted somewhat, but it can be seen from this that through this battle, the Knights Templar and the Leper King Baldwin IV forged a deep fighting friendship. There is no doubt about it!
In 1185, due to the worsening of leprosy, Baldwin IV died young in Jerusalem. Just two years after his death, in 1187, Saladin's army came back and conquered Jerusalem in one fell swoop.
Next, the Knights Templar, who suffered heavy losses, retreated to Cyprus for the first time. When retreating, out of respect and to avoid Saladin's revenge, it was entirely possible that they would take Baldwin IV's relics with them.
From this point of view, it is very reasonable for the helmet and leprosy mask in front of you to appear here. Only the relics of Baldwin IV can be placed in the center of this hall by the Knights Templar.
After analyzing the relationship between Baldwin IV and the Knights Templar, let’s take a look at the two antique artifacts themselves. Judging from the current preservation situation, they are likely to be made of silver alloy.
In the mid-to-late twelfth century, those who were qualified to use this alloy must have had extraordinary power and status. Even the successive Grand Masters and Inspectors General of the Knights Templar did not seem to have such qualifications"
David and Bishop Kent nodded again without any disagreement.
At this time, the two of them no longer had any doubts about the identification conclusion given by Ye Tian.
There is no doubt that this full-metal helmet and this rare leprosy-style mask are the relics of the Leper King Baldwin IV. They are undoubtedly top-notch antiques and are of immeasurable value!
After identifying the full metal helmet and leprosy mask, Ye Tian pointed to the metal box below.
"Since this full-metal helmet and mask are the relics of Baldwin IV, it is basically certain that the items in the metal box below must also be the relics of Baldwin IV.
Baldwin IV is the king of the Kingdom of Jerusalem, so let me boldly speculate that there may be Baldwin IV's sword or even the crown in it, which are truly priceless treasures! ”
Before he finished speaking, Bishop Kent exploded.
"What? The crown of Baldwin IV, which is one of the most famous treasures in the Knights Templar's treasures and one of the holy relics of Christianity. If there really is that crown in this box, it would be perfect! ”
Ye Tian turned to look at the Vatican bishop who was so excited that he lost his temper, and then said with a smile:
"Whether the crown of Baldwin IV is in this box or not, you can find out the result by opening this box. I believe that a miracle will happen!"
As he spoke, Ye Tian picked up the full metal helmet and handed it to David, then handed the leprosy mask to Bishop Kent, and was about to open the metal box!