Saladin despised Raynald of Châtillon since he was involved in plundering raids against the Muslim caravans and imprisoning its members travelling near his domain -- Kerak & Montreal.
He planned attacks and threatened Islam's holiest sites (Macca and Madina)..
He planned attacks and threatened Islam's holiest sites (Macca and Madina)..
..built a fleet of 5 ships which plundered the coast of the Red Sea, threatening the route of the Muslim pilgrims.
Saladin took an oath that he would not forgive Raynald.
In Sep-1183, Saladin attempted to seize the Kingdom of Jerusalem which ended up in a statement..
Saladin took an oath that he would not forgive Raynald.
In Sep-1183, Saladin attempted to seize the Kingdom of Jerusalem which ended up in a statement..
..Saladin than focused on the piratical Raynald, immovably fixed in Kerak, and thus a constant menace to Muslim trades and pilgrims travelling to and from Egypt.
By the time Saladin invaded Kerak, coincidentally, Raynald step son marriage function was held in the Kerak castle..
By the time Saladin invaded Kerak, coincidentally, Raynald step son marriage function was held in the Kerak castle..
..Saladin bombarded Kerak castle with his catapults.
Raynald's wife, Stephanie, sent out dishes from the marriage feast to Saladin, who in his message of thanks asked which tower the newly-weds were in. On being told, he ordered his mangonels not to target it..
Raynald's wife, Stephanie, sent out dishes from the marriage feast to Saladin, who in his message of thanks asked which tower the newly-weds were in. On being told, he ordered his mangonels not to target it..
The advanving Frankish reinforcements, led by Baldwin IV (The Leper King), impelled Saladin to lift the siege of Kerak and to return to Damascus.
The Ramadan fast was approaching, his army was tired and undoubtedly didnt ve all the siege engines needed to take such a fortress.
The Ramadan fast was approaching, his army was tired and undoubtedly didnt ve all the siege engines needed to take such a fortress.
stalemate*
After the death of King Baldwin, Raynald played a kingmaker role & helped Guy of Lusignan to ascend to throne.
In 1187, Saladin invaded the kingdom and annihilated the crusader army in the *Battle of Hattin* and executed "Raynald of Chatillon".
In 1187, Saladin invaded the kingdom and annihilated the crusader army in the *Battle of Hattin* and executed "Raynald of Chatillon".
References:
"Saladin" by Anne-Marie Edde
"Saladin" by John Man
Video excerpts: "Kingdom of Heaven"
"Saladin" by Anne-Marie Edde
"Saladin" by John Man
Video excerpts: "Kingdom of Heaven"
