Saladin Begins Siege of Jerusalem

Context

By the late twelfth century the Kingdom of Jerusalem had been weakened by internal rivalries and the loss of key leaders. Saladin, who had consolidated power in Egypt and Syria under the Ayyubid dynasty, sought to reclaim Muslim holy sites and reverse the gains of the First Crusade. His victory at the Battle of Hattin on July 4, 1187, destroyed the kingdom’s main field army and left most of its strongholds vulnerable.

What Happened

After capturing Acre, Jaffa, Ascalon and other towns in the weeks following Hattin, Saladin moved against Jerusalem itself. The city’s defenders, commanded by Balian of Ibelin after he was released from an earlier oath, numbered fewer than a hundred trained knights despite an influx of refugees. Saladin’s forces established positions near the Tower of David and Damascus Gate on September 20, employing archers, siege engines and mining operations that created a breach in the northern wall by September 29.

Aftermath

Balian negotiated terms that allowed the majority of inhabitants to depart after paying ransom, with Saladin’s brother al-Adil and others freeing thousands more from the city treasury. The handover on October 2 was orderly; Muslim holy sites were restored and most Christian residents were permitted to leave with their goods under escort.

Legacy

The loss of Jerusalem prompted Pope Gregory VIII to call the Third Crusade, drawing Richard I of England, Philip II of France and Frederick Barbarossa to the Levant. Saladin’s comparatively restrained conduct enhanced his standing among both Muslim and Christian chroniclers, while the city’s administration shifted toward greater tolerance for Orthodox and Eastern Christian pilgrims.