Lecture 11: 1187 Hattin—Crusader Desert Disaster
desired end, but almost all major campaigns were fought by uneasy
coalitions with divided and often antagonistic leadership. This lack
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caused problems for the Crusaders and hampered the effectiveness
of their military initiatives.x This stalemate continued for nearly 100 years. Then, in the late
12 th century, a new Islamic leader emerged who would begin to tilt
the balance in favor of the Muslims. He is known in the West as
Saladin or, more correctly in Arabic, Salah-huddeen. The turning
point of the Crusades, and one of Saladin’s greatest victories, was
the Battle of Hattin in 1187.Leaders and Armies
x Saladin played an active role in the struggle for control over
Egypt and eventually became its de facto ruler. From this base, he
extended his power north, bypassing the Crusader kingdoms along
the coast but gaining control over Damascus and much of Syria
and Palestine.x Saladin’s armies were a mixture of Muslim Turks, Arabs, and
Kurds, most of whom were fairly professional soldiers, with a high
proportion of skilled horsemen. Standard equipment included bows,
lances, spears, and swords.x Many of Saladin’s warriors were well protected with metal helmets,
mail hauberks, substantial shields, and lamellar armor. At Hattin,
Saladin probably commanded a force roughly equal in size to that
of the Crusaders—around 30,000.x In 1186, the Crusaders faced a leadership crisis.
o Baldwin IV had appointed Raymond of Tripoli, an able
commander, to serve as regent and rule the kingdom after
his death. A captive for eight years in Aleppo, Raymond was
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willing to explore peaceful coexistence.