Third Crusade

The Third Crusade (1189–1192) was an attempt by European leaders to reconquer the Holy Land from Saladin. It is sometimes referred to as the Kings' Crusade.

Background

After the failure of the Second Crusade, Nur ad-Din had control of Damascus and a unified Syria.

Related Topics:
Second Crusade - Nur ad-Din - Damascus - Syria

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Muslim unification

Eager to expand his power, Nur ad-Din set his sights on the Fatimid dynasty of Egypt. In 1163, Nur ad-Din's most trusted general, Shirkuh set out on a military expedition to the Nile. Accompanying the general was his young nephew, Saladin.

Related Topics:
Fatimid - Egypt - 1163 - Shirkuh - Nile

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With Shirkuh's troops camped outside of Cairo, Egypt's sultan, Shawar called on King Amalric I of Jerusalem for assistance. In response, Amalric sent an army into Egypt and attacked Shirkuh's troops at Bilbeis in 1164.

Related Topics:
Cairo - Shawar - Amalric I - Jerusalem - Bilbeis - 1164

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In an attempt to divert Crusader attention from Egypt, Nur ad-Din attacked Antioch, resulting in a massacre of Christian soldiers and the capture of several Crusader leaders, including Raynald of Châtillon, Prince of Antioch. Nur ad-Din sent the scalps of the Christian defenders to Egypt for Shirkuh to proudly display at Bilbeis for Amalric's soldiers to see. This action prompted both Amalric and Shirkuh to lead their armies out of Egypt.

Related Topics:
Crusader - Antioch - Christian - Raynald of Châtillon

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In 1167, Nur ad-Din once again sent Shirkuh to conquer the Fatimids in Egypt. Shawar also opted to once again call upon Amalric for the defense of his territory. The combined Egyptian-Christian forces pursued Shirkuh until he retreated to Alexandria.

Related Topics:
1167 - Alexandria

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Amalric then breached his alliance with Shawar by turning his forces on Egypt and besieging the city of Bilbeis. Shawar pleaded with his former enemy, Nur ad-Din to save him from Amalric's treachery. Lacking the resources to maintain a prolonged siege of Cairo against the combined forces of Nur ad-Din and Shawar, Amalric retreated. This new alliance gave Nur ad-Din rule over virtually the entire Muslim world, from Syria to Egypt.

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Saladin's conquests

Shawar was executed for his treacherous alliances with the Christian forces, and Shirkuh succeeded him as vizier of Egypt. In 1169, Shirkuh died unexpectedly after only weeks of rule. Shirkuh's successor was his nephew, Saladin. Nur ad-Din died in 1174, leaving the new empire to his 11-year old son, As-Salih. It was decided that the only man competent enough to uphold the jihad against the Crusaders was Saladin, who became sultan of both Egypt and Syria, and the founder of the Ayyubid dynasty.

Related Topics:
Vizier - 1169 - 1174 - As-Salih - Jihad - Ayyubid dynasty

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Amalric also died in 1174, leaving Jerusalem to his 13-year old son, Baldwin IV, who forged an agreement with Saladin to allow free trade between Muslim and Christian territories.

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In 1176, Raynald of Châtillon was released from prison, and began raiding caravans throughout the region. He expanded his piracy to the Dead Sea by sending galleys not only to raid ships, but to assault the city of Mecca itself. These acts enraged the Muslim world, giving Raynald a reputation as the most hated man in the Middle East.

Related Topics:
1176 - Dead Sea - Mecca - Middle East

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Baldwin IV died in 1185 and the kingdom was left to the five-year old Baldwin V, with Raymond III of Tripoli serving as regent. The following year, Baldwin V died suddenly, and Princess Sybilla - sister of Baldwin IV and mother of Baldwin V - crowned herself queen and her husband, Guy of Lusignan, king.

Related Topics:
1185 - Baldwin V - Raymond III of Tripoli - Sybilla - Guy of Lusignan

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It was at this time that Raynald, once again, raided a rich caravan and had its travellers thrown in his prison. Saladin demanded that the prisoners and their cargo be released. The newly crowned King Guy appealed to Raynald to give in to Saladin's demands, but Raynald refused to follow the king's orders.

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Fall of the Latin Kingdom

:Full article: Battle of Hattin; Siege of Jerusalem

Related Topics:
Battle of Hattin - Siege of Jerusalem

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It was this final act of outrage by Raynald that prompted Saladin to attack the city of Tiberias in 1187. Raymond advised patience, but King Guy, acting on advice from Raynald, marched his army to the Horns of Hattin outside of Tiberias.

Related Topics:
Tiberias - 1187 - Horns of Hattin

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The Crusader army, thirsty and demoralized, was slaughtered in the ensuing battle. King Guy and Raynald were brought to Saladin's tent, where Guy was offered a goblet of water. Guy took a drink but was forbidden to pass the goblet to Raynald, because the Muslim rule of hospitality states that one who receives food or drink is under the protection of the host. Saladin would not be forced to protect the treacherous Raynald by allowing him to drink. Raynald, who had not had a drop of water in days, grabbed the goblet out of Guy's hands. Upon seeing Raynald's disrespect for Arab custom, Saladin beheaded Raynald for past betrayals. Saladin honored tradition with King Guy; Guy was sent to Damascus and eventually ransomed to his people, one of the only captive crusaders to avoid execution.

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By the end of the year, Saladin had taken Acre and Jerusalem. Pope Urban III is said to have collapsed and later died upon hearing the news.

Related Topics:
Acre - Jerusalem - Urban III

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