Baldwin III was a king of Jerusalem who reigned from 1143 to 1163. He was the son of Baldwin II and became king at a young age after his father's death. His reign was marked by military campaigns against Muslim forces, particularly those led by Zengi and later Nur ad-Din, as well as efforts to strengthen the Crusader states. During his rule, Baldwin III successfully captured the important city of Ascalon in 1153, which bolstered the defenses of the kingdom. He also worked to improve relations with neighboring states and was known for his diplomatic skills. Baldwin III's reign is often seen as a time of relative stability for the Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem.