Hattin 1187: Guy of Lusignan's Waterless March and the Fall of Jerusalem

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By 1187 the Kingdom of Jerusalem was split between King Guy of Lusignan, who had gained the throne through his marriage to Queen Sibylla, and the old guard led by Raymond III of Tripoli, the former regent. Across the border Saladin had joined Egypt and Syria and held his coalition together with truces and the promise of holy war. When Reynald of Châtillon raided a Muslim caravan in breach of a truce, Saladin vowed to kill him with his own hands and gathered about 40,000 men, including some 12,000 light cavalry. He besieged Tiberias, where Raymond's wife Eschiva was trapped. At the Crusader camp at Sephoria, with its springs, Raymond himself advised letting the town fall.

Templar grand master Gerard de Ridefort accused Raymond of cowardice, and on July 3, 1187, Guy marched about 20,000 men, carrying the True Cross, onto the dry plateau. Harassed by horse archers and short of the Sea of Galilee, they camped without water while Saladin's men beat drums, chanted, and lit grass fires. On July 4 the thirst-maddened infantry fled up the Horns of Hattin, leaving the knights exposed; Raymond cut his way out. Saladin's 17-year-old son al-Afdal watched beside his father, who said they had not won until the king's red tent fell. Moments later it did. Saladin spared Guy, saying kings do not kill kings, and executed Reynald himself.

• Saladin's men poured water from goatskins into the sand in sight of the parched Crusaders.
• Quilted gambesons worn under mail turned the July march into a heatstroke trap.
• Guy passed Saladin's cup of iced rose water to Reynald, but Saladin struck it away, since the custom of a drink promised safety.
• Saladin had 200 Templar and Hospitaller knights and the Turcopoles executed, and sold the common foot soldiers into slavery.
• Saladin took 52 towns and fortifications within weeks and Jerusalem by October 1187; Pope Urban III reportedly died of the shock.