Baldwin had taken the cross, or vowed…
October 1188 CE
Baldwin had taken the cross, or vowed to go on crusade, along with King Henry and many others in January 1188, or when he began his preaching campaign on February 11, 1188, to drum up support for the Third Crusade.
Baldwin in April 1188 is in Wales on a tour attempting to secure support for the king's crusade, and is forcing his servants and followers to exercise on foot up and down hills in preparation for the journey to the Holy Land.
He spends most of the year in Wales, preaching the crusade, accompanied by the chronicler Gerald of Wales.
Gerald claims about three thousand recruits for the crusade from his and Baldwin's efforts in Wales, although he also suggests that Baldwin mainly embarked on the tour to avoid his dispute with the Canterbury monks.
A side effect of Baldwin's tour of Wales is the implied assertion of royal authority in a section of Henry's domains that had always been somewhat fractious.
Baldwin is also asserting his ecclesiastical authority over the Welsh bishops, especially when he makes a point of celebrating mass at every Welsh cathedral; he is the first Archbishop of Canterbury to celebrate mass at St Asaph's Cathedral.
Baldwin excommunicates the only Welsh prince who refuses to appear before him and take the cross, Owain Cyfeiliog.