Editing Baldwin V of Jerusalem (section)

==Background==
Baldwin of Montferrat was born in December 1177 or January 1178 to [[Sibylla, Queen of Jerusalem|Sibylla]], sister of King [[Baldwin IV of Jerusalem]], after whom he was named.{{sfn|Hamilton|2000|p=139}} His father, [[William Longsword of Montferrat|William of Montferrat]], had died in June 1177.{{sfn|Hamilton|2000|p=139}} Though only 16, the king was not expected to live long, nor could he marry and have children, because he had contracted [[leprosy]] and was growing weaker.{{sfn|Hamilton|2000|p=109}}{{sfn|Runciman|1952|p=411}} Baldwin had thus been expected to succeed his uncle. By July 1178, the king recognized his sister as his new [[heir presumptive]].{{sfn|Hamilton|2000|p=139}} Her son, Baldwin of Montferrat, followed her in the line of succession.{{sfn|Hamilton|2000|p=148}}

The [[Kingdom of Jerusalem]], a [[Crusader state]] in [[the Levant]] ruled by [[Catholic]] [[Franks]],{{sfn|Hamilton|2000|pp=57-58}} was often threatened by the neighbouring [[Muslim]] powers.{{sfn|Hamilton|2000|p=54}}
Because of the king's illness, it was imperative that the young Baldwin's mother, Sibylla, remarry soon;{{sfn|Hamilton|2000|p=140}} she married [[Guy of Lusignan]] in early 1180{{sfn|Hamilton|2000|pp=150-158}} and had four daughters with him.{{sfn|Hamilton|1978|p=172}} Baldwin IV initially intended Guy to become the next king,{{sfn|Hamilton|2000|p=188}} but soon realized that Guy was a poor candidate because of his unpopularity with the [[barons of the Kingdom of Jerusalem]] and rulers of the neighbouring [[Crusader states]], Prince [[Bohemond III of Antioch]] and Count [[Raymond III of Tripoli]].{{sfn|Hamilton|2000|pp=158, 194}}