Balian of Ibelin | Perfect Knight (Kingdom of Heaven)

“Do you know what lies in the holy land? A new world. And there at the end of the world, you are not what you are born, but what you have within yourself to be“ One of my all-time favourite films and periods of history! I love to study the Crusader period, such a fascinating, horrendous, and emotionally invested time in history. I think this film captures it brilliantly. The real Balian of Ibelin was born in the holy land rather than France. He did fight in the battle of Hattin and managed to survive the disastrous defeat of the Crusader armies. After being granted permission to return to Jerusalem to rescue his family and thereafter leave with them, the people begged him to stay and fight for them. In doing so, he went back on his word to Saladin and led the defence of the city, repelling Saladin and his vast army for a few days. In October AD 1187, the city was surrendered, before further bloodshed. Those who could pay the ransom to Saladin would be set free to the coast,