History of the Crusades. Episode 49 tensions rise and a king dies.

Hello again.

Last week we saw the decline of the Byzantine Empire following the death of Emperor Manuel in the year

1180.

This week we are back in the Kingdom of Jerusalem. Now you might remember from a few episodes ago that in the year

1180 a two-year truce was called between the Latin Christians and Saladin.

Yet, despite the existence of the truce,

tensions rose between the Latin Christians and the Muslims

over the next few years.

Why do tensions rise?

Well, to find the cause, we need to look at the actions of one man,

Reynol of Chateon.

Before we take a look at what Raynol has been doing,

it's probably worth reminding ourselves of his background

so as to better understand his motives and character.

Reynol came to the Holy Land as part of the French contingent of the Second Crusade.

Being a brave and competent soldier, he survived the ill-fated Crusade.

After the campaign was finished, he decided to stay in the Middle East to try and make his fortune.

He was the younger son of a minor nobleman back in France, and returning to Europe held no attractions for him.

His fortunes rose indeed when he caught the eye of Constance, Princess of Antioch. They eventually married and he used his new power to plunder and raid nearby territory,

extending the boundaries of the Principality of Antioch and committing a number of years. the which suffered greatly following an invasion by Raynold's forces.

In the year 1160,

...