Baldwin was born in Exeter to a poor family and did not have a noble background. He became a monk and joined Forde Abbey 30 miles to the east. He quickly impressed and within a year of taking the habit was made abbot. When Roger, bishop of Worcester died in August of 1179, Baldwin was elevated to the post and became bishop of Worcester in August of 1180. When, in February of 1184, Richard, Archbishop of Canterbury died a dispute arose as to who should replace him. The monks chose Peter de Leia, the bishop of St. David's in Wales, while others chose Baldwin. It took the intervention of King Henry II to put an end to the dispute and he chose Baldwin. Baldwin became Archbishop of Canterbury in May of 1185. During this period Jerusalem had been taken back by the Muslems and Saladin had started a jihad, or Holy War. In England Baldwin travelled around the country preaching for a crusade. In 1188, Baldwin himself took the cross and travelled to the Holy Land. When he arrived at the siege of Acre he found many of the Christian army sick and dispirited. He tried to comfort those in need but caught the pestilence that the soldiers were suffering from and he died in Novermber of 1190.

 Baldwin (of Forde, Archbishop of Canterbury) (b.1125? - d.1190)