History of the Crusades

the Crusades Episode 52, the Fall of Jerusalem.

Hello again.

Last week we saw Saladin's army score a decisive victory at the Battle of Hatine.

This week we will examine the fallout from that battle.

We've already seen what happened to the leaders of the Christian army.

Reynold of Tripoli was able to escape the fighting along with Balian of Iblen.

Reynol of Chateon was beheaded while the other leaders including King Gee were taken to Damascus as prisoners.

The revered True Cross was also taken to Damascus, symbolically inverted and tied to a lance.

The rank and file members of the Christian army who had survived the battle were rounded up to be sold at the slave markets.

There were so many of them that prices fell dramatically. One Muslim fighter was able to exchange one of the

Christians he had escorted to the slave markets for a pair of sandals. The dead were left on the battlefield. A Muslim

traveler who passed by the village of Hatine a year later recorded that the land was covered with piles of bones which could be seen even from a distance.

Most commanders would have let their soldiers rest for a few days after such a major victory.

Not Saladin.

Most commanders would have allowed their soldiers to go on a pillaging and destructive rampage after such a victory.

Not Saladin.

Saladin had his eye on the main prize, the kingdom of Jerusalem. He knew the kingdom was vulnerable

as most of its able-bodied men had been killed or captured at Hatin. He wanted to work quickly to secure it before the remaining

Christian citizens could regroup. Importantly he wanted to conquer a functioning kingdom.

As much as possible, he wanted the tradesmen and merchants to remain in place, and he gave his

men strict instructions not to plunder, kill or rape the conquered people.

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