Balian of Ibelin is best remembered today through the lens of Ridley Scott’s 2005 film Kingdom of Heaven, where he was portrayed by Orlando Bloom as a blacksmith from France who rises to defend Jerusalem in 1187. While the film’s version is compelling and visually striking, it departs significantly from the historical record. The real Balian was not a humble outsider who stumbled into greatness, but a high-ranking nobleman and experienced political figure deeply embedded in the life of the Crusader states.
Origins and Family Connections
In Kingdom of Heaven, Balian begins as a grieving widower working at a forge in rural France. In reality, he was born in the Kingdom of Jerusalem as the youngest son of Barisan of Ibelin, a knight who rose to prominence under King Fulk. The Ibelin family controlled a strategic castle near the coast, and Balian was firmly part of the noble elite. His marriage to Maria Komnene, the widow of King Amalric I, made him stepfather to Queen Isabella of Jerusalem, securing him a place among the kingdom’s most influential figures.
A Political Power, Not an Accidental Hero
The film frames Balian as an idealistic man reluctantly drawn into politics, yet history shows him as an established lord who actively engaged in the governance and defence of the realm. He mediated between factions within the crusader nobility and was respected for his diplomatic skill. When the political situation became desperate after Saladin’s victory at Hattin, Balian was already a trusted leader, not an untested outsider.
Journey to Jerusalem in 1187
One of the film’s most memorable sequences shows Balian riding alone through the desert to reach Jerusalem. Historically, he did indeed travel there after Hattin, but under a negotiated safe-conduct from Saladin, granted so he could escort his family to safety. Upon his arrival, Patriarch Heraclius and the citizens urged him to stay and take command of the city’s defence. Saladin is said to have released him from his oath not to fight, recognising the exceptional circumstances.
The Siege and Surrender
In Kingdom of Heaven, Balian rallies a vastly outnumbered militia, leading a heroic defence against Saladin’s siege engines before negotiating the city’s surrender to spare its inhabitants. This part is broadly true, though the film condenses events and enhances the drama. The real Balian commanded a small force that included newly knighted youths and older men pressed into service. Knowing the city could not hold, he negotiated directly with Saladin, securing terms that allowed many to leave after paying ransom, avoiding the bloodshed that had marked the city’s capture in 1099.
Arms and Armour – Film vs Reality
In the film, Balian wears a mix of historically inspired but stylised equipment: a mail hauberk, surcoat, and later, plate reinforcements that were not common in 1187. The historical Balian would have worn:
- Mail armour covering the torso, arms, and legs, with a coif for head protection.
- Helmet of conical or flat-topped design with a nasal guard.
- Kite-shaped shield likely bearing the Ibelin arms.
- Knightly sword designed for both mounted and dismounted combat.
After Jerusalem
Kingdom of Heaven ends with Balian returning to France, turning down political power. Historically, he remained a key player in the Crusader states, helping to negotiate the truce between Richard the Lionheart and Saladin during the Third Crusade. He died in the early 1190s, still a prominent figure in the reduced Kingdom of Jerusalem.
Legacy and Popular Memory
The film helped reintroduce Balian of Ibelin to a global audience, though at the cost of historical accuracy. It presented him as an everyman hero, a narrative that resonated with modern viewers but overlooked his true standing as a noble deeply involved in crusader politics. The real Balian’s legacy rests on his ability to balance military defence with diplomacy, ensuring the survival of thousands during the fall of Jerusalem.
Where to See Related Artefacts
While no personal relics of Balian survive, arms and armour from the period can be found in collections such as:
- The Armoury of the Tower of London
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
- The Musée de l’Armée, Paris
- The Israel Museum, Jerusalem
The Seven Swords Takeaway
The historical Balian of Ibelin was not the blacksmith-turned-knight of Kingdom of Heaven, but a seasoned noble and statesman who played a crucial role in one of the most dramatic episodes of the Crusades. The film’s liberties gave audiences a rousing story, yet the real man’s achievements – holding Jerusalem together long enough to secure safe terms – are no less remarkable for their grounding in political skill and pragmatic leadership.
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