About the title
A new enemy, Saladin, has appeared for the kingdom in Judea. He is wise, cunning, and commands a huge Muslim army. The nobility of King Baldwin of Jerusalem allows peace to be maintained. But he is terminally ill and understands that after his death the Saracens will attack his country and it will be impossible to defeat them. The blacksmith Balian gives Baldwin hope that the kingdom will be preserved, but Balian himself refuses the honor of becoming heir to the throne. Meanwhile, the blacksmith, dreaming of glory and heroic deeds, joins a detachment of crusaders and learns that his father, who leads the detachment, is a noble lord. Before departing, he knights his son. From now on, all of Godfrey's possessions in the Holy Land belong to him.