"Steven, what kind of helmet and mask is this? Compared to the previous Templar helmets, this helmet and mask look more elaborate, but also very weird!"

David asked, pointing to the helmet and mask on the stone platform in front of him, his eyes full of curiosity.

The Bishop of Kent, who was standing next to him, was also confused when he looked at the helmet and mask in front of him.

At this time, the three of them were standing in front of a stone platform about one meter high in the center of the hall, watching what was placed on this stone platform.

There are three things on the stone platform, a medieval-style knight's helmet, a metal mask, and a metal box about 1.5 meters long and about 1 meter wide, which is horizontal on the stone platform.

The helmet and mask were placed on the box one on the left and the other right, and the moss and dust that were originally attached to the two antiques had been gently wiped off by Ye Tian with a soft cloth, revealing the original face of the two antique cultural relics.

As for the metal box below, it is still in its previous appearance for the time being, covered with a thick layer of moss and dust, and it is impossible to see the exact appearance.

Unlike the helmets of the Templars before them, the helmets and masks in front of them had been sleeping here for more than seven hundred years, but they had not shown a trace of rust, only a little blackened and looked black.

It is a unique phenomenon of metal oxidation, and it can be easily washed off to completely restore its original appearance and shine brightly.

At the top of the helmet, there is a pedestal that protrudes upwards, and in the center of the pedestal there is a thumb-thick hole, which should be used to insert ornaments, such as crosses, red tassels, brood feathers, etc.

In the center of the forehead of this helmet is engraved a small cross, which is the most orthodox cross, unlike the other crosses of the Knights Templar's horses.

This metal helmet does not come with a protective mask, but it wraps very well and perfectly protects the user's head, as well as the neck and ears.

Although this all-metal helmet does not have a mask, it is a complete set of medieval knight's helmets when combined with the metal mask placed next to it.

Like the helmet, the surface of the metal mask next to it is also a little blackened, which is also the result of metal oxidation, and it is not difficult to clean.

However, the shape of the mask looks rather strange, or rather strange, which is what intrigues David and Bishop Kent.

The surface of the mask is not overdecorated, the eyes are two oval holes, the nose is raised upward, exactly like a human nose, and the mouth is only a few small holes for the user to breathe!

I don't know whether it is deliberate or limited by craftsmanship, this mask has left dense forging marks, at first glance, it looks like it is covered with pockmarks, which makes people feel very weird.

The same is true of the neck guard of the all-metal helmet, which is also densely covered with dotted forging marks, or pockmarks, which seems to be a little more appropriate.

Regarding David's inquiry, Ye Tian did not respond immediately.

He picked up the metal helmet and mask on the stone platform in turn, looked at them carefully over and over again, and pondered for a moment before he said excitedly:

"I know whose helmet and mask they were, and from the age and features of the two antiques, they probably belonged to the king of Jerusalem, the famous leper King Baldwin IV.

Baldwin IV had a short reign because of leprosy, becoming king of the Kingdom of Jerusalem at the age of thirteen, and dying at the age of twenty-four!

But in the history of the West, Baldwin IV is famous, a famous heroic figure, and one of the few legendary kings in the history of the Kingdom of Jerusalem, with outstanding military talents!"

Before the words could be finished, David and the Bishop of Kent exclaimed in low voices.

"Wow! These are the helmets and masks of the leper King Baldwin IV, and they must be priceless antiques, no less valuable than Hugo de Pain's knightly outfit.

There are countless legends about this leper king, we have heard countless stories from childhood to adulthood, and there are countless various film and television dramas, and his name and image are almost household names in the entire Western world!"

"Didn't Baldwin IV die in Jerusalem in 1185 because of the worsening of leprosy, and how could his weapons and equipment be here in his position as king, and with the leprosy that everyone feared?"

Ye Tian looked at the two guys beside him, and then explained with a smile:

"I certainly have my own reasons for making this judgment, first of all, the dating of these two antique artifacts, which are from the mid-to-late twelfth century, which I am very sure of, and I could not be mistaken.

Let's talk about the famous leper King Baldwin IV, who was diagnosed with leprosy when he became king of the Kingdom of Jerusalem at the age of thirteen, and Baldwin IV never shied away from it.

Perhaps because of the rebellious psychology of young people, he not only did not shy away from leprosy, which everyone feared at that time, but even made all the masks he wore every day look like leprosy patients.

Now it seems that this legend is not unfounded, and the all-metal helmet and leprosy-style metal mask in front of you are aptly proof that Baldwin IV did just that.

With the exception of Baldwin IV, I have never heard of a king or knight in the Middle Ages who made his mask in the style of leprosy, and even if anyone followed suit, their relics would not be eligible to be placed here."

Hearing this, David and Bishop Kent couldn't help but nod slightly.

"Yes, there is such a legend, and there is also a written record in the relevant Vatican texts, that Baldwin IV did make his mask in the style of leprosy, and there is no other semicolon!"

Bishop Kent continued, obviously agreeing with Ye Tian's analysis.

After a pause, Ye Tian continued:

"In the Middle Ages, due to the backwardness of medical methods, coupled with the long period of warfare and lack of personal hygiene, there were many knights of the Crusader who suffered from leprosy, and the Knights Templar were no exception.

In addition, we can infer from Baldwin IV's relationship with the Templar Order, although Baldwin IV suffered from leprosy and had a short reign, but he enjoyed great prestige among the Crusaders.

It is known that at the Battle of Mongisa in 1177, Baldwin IV, who was only sixteen years old, led less than 500 knights and less than 3,000 infantry to defeat Saladin's army in one fell swoop.

In that famous battle, Saladin's most elite Mamluk cavalry was almost completely annihilated, with 20,000 casualties, and by the time Saladin fled back to Egypt in disarray, the remnants of his soldiers were less than a tenth of what they had set out.

Most of the knights who charged with Baldwin IV were members of the Knights Templar stationed in the Holy Land, and it was during this battle that Baldwin IV established high prestige among all the Crusader Knights.

Legend has it that when the order was given for a swarm charge, the sixteen-year-old leper King Baldwin IV was at the front of the line, the 'True Cross' beside him radiating the sun's brightness.

This is only a legend, and its credibility is somewhat diminished, but it can be seen that through this battle, the Knights Templar and the leper King Baldwin IV forged a deep fighting friendship. There is no doubt about it!

In 1185, Baldwin IV died in Jerusalem due to worsening leprosy, and in 1187, just two years after his death, Saladin's army made a comeback and conquered Jerusalem.

The Knights Templar, who had suffered heavy losses, retreated to Cyprus for the first time, and in doing so, out of respect and to avoid Saladin's retribution, they probably took with them Baldwin IV's relics.

From this point of view, it is very reasonable for the helmet and leper mask to appear here, and only the relics of Baldwin IV could be placed in the center of this hall by the Knights Templar.

After analyzing the relationship between Baldwin IV and the Knights Templar, let's take a look at the two antique artifacts themselves, which are likely to be made of silver alloy, judging by the current state of preservation.

In the mid-to-late twelfth century, those who were qualified to use this alloy must have had extraordinary power and status, and even the successive Commanders and Inspectors of the Templar Order did not seem to have such qualifications."

David and the Bishop of Kent nodded again in unison, without any disagreement.

At this time, the two of them no longer had the slightest doubt about the appraisal conclusion given by Ye Tian.

There is no doubt that this all-metal helmet, as well as this rare leprosy-style mask, are the relics of the leper king Baldwin IV, and they are undoubtedly the top antique relics, and their value is immeasurable!

After identifying the all-metal helmet and leprosy mask, Ye Tian stretched out his hand and pointed to the metal box below.

"Since this all-metal helmet and mask are the relics of Baldwin IV, then it is almost certain that the contents of the metal box below must also be the relics of Baldwin IV.

Baldwin IV is the king of the Kingdom of Jerusalem, so I would venture to speculate that there may be Baldwin IV's sword and even the crown in it, which are truly priceless!"

Before the words fell, the Bishop of Kent had already blown up.

"What? Baldwin IV's Crown, one of the most famous treasures in the Knights Templar's treasures, and one of the sacred relics of Christianity, would be perfect if there was that crown in this chest!"

Ye Tian turned his head to look at the Vatican bishop who was a little excited and a little out of shape, and then said with a smile:

"Baldwin IV's crown is not in this box, open this box and you will know the result, I believe, a miracle will happen!"

As he spoke, Ye Tian had already picked up the all-metal helmet and handed it to David, and then handed the leprosy mask to the Bishop of Kent, ready to open the metal box!