Who Is Balian In Kingdom Of Heaven

In Ridley Scott’s Kingdom of Heaven the story’s protagonist, Balian, is the epitome of a true and perfect knight. Balian hasn’t always been a knight though. He used to be a simple blacksmith, but his life changes after his wife committed suicide after they lost their child. Then a knight named Godfrey came to him and told Balian that he was his illegitimate son and that started Balian’s journey to being a great knight just like his father. In order for Balian to be a true and perfect knight he has to be without fear in the face of his enemies, speak the truth always even if it leads to his death, and safeguard the helpless and do no wrong. Balian has suppressed his fears in the face of his enemies even when he has had plenty of opportunities
Before Balian had even become a knight, Balian killed the priest in his town once he saw that the priest was wearing his wife’s necklace and realized he had stolen the necklace from Balian’s deceased wife. Balian confessed to Godfrey when some men came from his town and demanded for Balian to come with them. He didn’t hesitate in telling the truth. Balian also stands up to the Bishop and Balian tells him that they are defending Jerusalem for the people in the city and not the city itself. Balian says to the people of Jerusalem, “It has fallen to us, to defend Jerusalem, and we have made our preparations as well as they can be made. None of us took this city from Muslims. No Muslim of the great army now coming against us was born when this city was lost. We fight over an offence we did not give, against those who were not alive to be offended. What is Jerusalem? Your holy places lie over the Jewish temple that the Romans pulled down The Muslim places of worship lie over yours. Which is more holy? The wall? The Mosque? The Sepulchre? Who has claim? No one has claim. All have claim.” Then the Bishop says in reply, “That is blasphemy!” and Balian of Ibelin says, “ We defend this city, not to protect these stones, but the people living within these walls.” Balian meant every single word he spoke and he was not going to lie to the people or anyone, ever. This all just shows that Balian was already living by the rules of knighthood before becoming a knight and continues to do so after Godfrey of Ibelin knights Balian on his