Saladin and the fall of Jerusalem (1169-1189) Flashcards
what happened at the battle of Montisgard November 1177
📜 Context:
Saladin launched a major invasion of the Kingdom of Jerusalem, aiming to capture Ascalon, a vital coastal city.
The Crusaders were caught unprepared, with most of their forces elsewhere.
Baldwin IV of Jerusalem, despite suffering from leprosy, quickly gathered a small force, including Templars and local knights, to confront Saladin.
⚔️ Participants:
Kingdom of Jerusalem (led by Baldwin IV, supported by Templar knights and Crusader forces).
Ayyubid Sultanate (led by Saladin, commanding a large Muslim army).
🔥 Outcome:
Baldwin IV’s forces launched a surprise attack on Saladin’s army, which was fatigued and unprepared after marching deep into Crusader territory.
The Crusaders inflicted heavy casualties, forcing Saladin to retreat in a humiliating defeat.
Saladin barely escaped with his life and returned to Egypt with only a fraction of his army.
The battle was a huge morale boost for the Crusaders and temporarily halted Saladin’s expansion.
However, Saladin rebuilt his forces, leading to his decisive victory at Hattin (1187) and the fall of Jerusalem.
What happened at Jacob’s Ford 1179
Context:
Jacob’s Ford was a strategically located fortress on the River Jordan, built by Baldwin IV of Jerusalem.
Its purpose was to block Saladin’s expansion and defend the Crusader states.
Saladin saw it as a major threat to his control of Syria and Palestine.
⚔️ Participants:
Kingdom of Jerusalem (led by Baldwin IV, with Templar knights defending the castle).
Ayyubid Sultanate (led by Saladin, commanding a large Muslim army).
🔥 Outcome:
Saladin launched a surprise siege, overwhelming the Crusader defenders.
The fortress was destroyed, and most defenders were killed or captured.
The defeat weakened Baldwin IV’s position and highlighted the vulnerability of the Crusader states.
This was a stepping stone to Saladin’s later victory at the Battle of Hattin (1187) and the fall of Jerusalem.
what happened at the pool of Goliath 1183
📜 Context:
The battle was part of the ongoing conflict between the Kingdom of Jerusalem and Saladin’s Ayyubid forces.
Baldwin IV of Jerusalem, despite suffering from leprosy, sought to challenge Saladin’s increasing power in the region.
The Pools of Goliath (north of Lake Tiberias) were a key water source, making the area strategically significant.
⚔️ Participants:
Kingdom of Jerusalem (led by Baldwin IV, supported by the Templars and other Crusader forces).
Ayyubid Sultanate (led by Saladin, commanding a strong Muslim army).
🔥 Outcome:
Baldwin IV launched a surprise attack on Saladin’s forces while they were raiding the region.
The Crusaders initially gained the upper hand, causing heavy Ayyubid casualties.
However, due to their disorganized pursuit of the retreating enemy, some Crusader forces were ambushed.
Despite this, Baldwin IV successfully repelled Saladin’s advance, marking a temporary victory for the Kingdom of Jerusalem.
The battle showcased Baldwin IV’s military leadership despite his illness, but tensions between the Crusaders and Saladin continued to escalate.
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what happened at the siege of Kerak November 1183
Context:
Kerak was a heavily fortified Crusader castle in Oultrejordain, controlled by Reynald de Châtillon.
It was a key stronghold protecting Crusader territories and trade routes.
Reynald frequently raided Muslim caravans, breaking truces with Saladin, provoking the siege.
The siege coincided with a royal wedding inside the castle, adding to its dramatic nature.
⚔️ Participants:
Kingdom of Jerusalem (led by Baldwin IV and Reynald de Châtillon, defending the castle).
Ayyubid Sultanate (led by Saladin, commanding a large besieging force).
🔥 Outcome:
Saladin’s forces surrounded Kerak and bombarded it with siege weapons.
Defenders, including Reynald, held out within the fortress, while Baldwin IV sent a relief army.
As the Crusader reinforcements approached, Saladin lifted the siege, retreating temporarily.
Though Kerak survived in 1183, Saladin besieged and captured it in 1188, after the defeat of the Crusaders at Hattin (1187).
The siege demonstrated Saladin’s determination to weaken Crusader strongholds and set the stage for the fall of Jerusalem.
what happened at the battle was the battle of Hattin July 1187
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📜 Context:
The Kingdom of Jerusalem was weakened by internal divisions and aggressive raids by Reynald de Châtillon on Muslim caravans, violating truces with Saladin.
Saladin united Muslim forces across Syria and Egypt, aiming to destroy the Crusader army.
The battle occurred near the Horns of Hattin, a volcanic plateau near the Sea of Galilee.
The Crusader army, led by Guy of Lusignan, marched across the arid landscape in the summer heat, suffering from lack of water.
⚔️ Participants:
Kingdom of Jerusalem (led by Guy of Lusignan, supported by Templars, Hospitallers, and other Crusader forces).
Ayyubid Sultanate (led by Saladin, commanding a large, well-organized Muslim army).
🔥 Outcome:
Saladin’s forces cut off the Crusaders from water sources, exhausting them.
The Muslim army set fire to dry grass, choking the Crusaders with smoke and heat.
The Crusaders were decisively defeated, with most of their army killed or captured.
Guy of Lusignan was taken prisoner, along with many nobles and knights.
Reynald de Châtillon was executed by Saladin for his raids on Muslim caravans.
The loss crippled Crusader defenses, leading to the fall of Jerusalem in October 1187.
The defeat prompted the Third Crusade (1189–1192), led by Richard the Lionheart, Philip II of France, and Frederick Barbarossa.
