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Historical & Fantasy Miniature Figure Painter
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Battles in the Kingdom of Heaven 1174-1192
There is little information on the battles during this period apart from Hattin and Arsouf and then it's a bit sketchy. I'm going to try and piece together what information there is and hopefully get a picture of what warfare during this period was like. This is a work in progress so please be patient. If you know of any primary sources in English I'd be happy to hear from you. I only speak English so any foreign sources would have to have been translated. I already have ''Historia Regini Hierosolymitani'' and the biography by Anna Comnena.
Hama 1175
Siege of Harim, Syria 1177
Mount Gisard 1177
Tell Jezer, Ramla 1177
Hims 1178
Hama 1178
Marj'Ayyun 1179
There are no numbers available for the troops involved on both sides. Saladin had invaded Sidon so King Baldwin IV and Count Raymond of Tripoli set out to intercept them. Saladin made camp in the low ground between some hills then sent out a force of skirmishers to raid and scout the surrounding area. Baldwin arrived on the hills overlooking Saladin's camp in the distance. Baldwin marched off the hills down to the plains below, still some distance from Saladin's camp. Baldwins infantry had struggled to keep up with the mounted troops and needed to rest on the plain when they finally arrived sometime after the cavalry. Saladin's scouting force now returned and were attacked by Baldwin's Knights and cavalry. The Ayyubids were routed with many killed, some Knights chased after the fleeing Muslims. The Christian army was now in disorder with the mounted troops scattered after their fight and the infantry exhausted and resting on the plains. Saladin's main army arrived, some of the fleeing skirmishes now rallied and the Ayyubids charged into the disordered ranks of Baldwin's army. The Christian forces had no time to re-group but managed to hold out until more Muslims arrived and overwhelmed them. The Muslim force was just too big and the Christians broke. Many Christians were killed during the battle but many more were slaughtered running away. The lucky ones including King Baldwin escaped to Beaufort castle. It's not known how many men Baldwin lost, but this defeat had a knock on effect as no offensive operations took place for a while afterwards.
Banias 1179
Latani River 1179
Siege at Jacobs Ford 1179
Quneitra 1179
Naval raid by Reynald de Chatillon to Red sea 1182
Siege of Christian Habis Jaldak in the Latin Principality of Galilee 1182
Conquest of Mesopotamian hinterland
1182
Ayyubids raid in force attacking Zir’in, Forbelet, Mount Tabor 1183
Al-Fule 1183
siege of Christian Kerak 1183
Reynald de Chattlion attacks several Muslim caravans 1185
Cresson
Springs May 1st 1187
Saladin had sent an army of 700 ahead of his main army to ravage the lands of Jerusalem (some sources claim 7000, but this seems too high a number for a raiding force). Raymond III of Tripoli was hoping to ally himself with Saladin against Guy De Lusignan, so allowed the Ayyubids to pass through Tiberius unmolested. Raymond did however get word out about the Ayyubid presence. Arrangements were made for the crusaders to gather a force and intercept the Ayyubids. Knights possibly from Qaqun, Al-Fulah and Nazareth were gathered by Gerard De Ridefort, Grand Master of the Templers. Not many Knights were available in the region and only 90 Templers a handful of Hospitallers plus 40 secular Knights were mustered. An unknown number of Turcopoles, possibly 100 and 400 foot soldiers both spearmen and crossbowmen. Also present was Roger de Moulins Grand Master of the Hospitallers. Word had also reached Balian d'Ibelin and Reginald of Sidon, both whom were on the way but never arrived. Balian had stopped at Sebastea for a celebration feast and was a day behind. When he finally arrived at the camp of Gerard De Ridefort it was too late and learned of the disaster from a few survivors returning to the camp.
The Muslim force was led by one of Saladin's 17 sons Al-Afdal. 700 cavalry; probably a mix of un-armoured horse archers and armoured lances. The Ayyubids were resting at the springs and watering their horses. The area was quite green and wooded with a fresh water spring. Gerard De Ridefort goaded his Knights wanting them to immediately charge. Roger de Moulins advised against such a rash action as it would take them away from their infantry support and put them at a great disadvantage. Gerard had the last word and the Knights charged, leaving their infantry behind they crashed into the Ayyubid force. The Ayyubids stood firm and fought back despite being surprised. Gokbori and Qaymaz al Najmi, two Ayyubid leaders gathered troops and led a counter attack. It's possible this is the point that Roger de Moulins, Grand Master of the Hospitallers was killed after being run through with a lance. The Knights were now surrounded in the woods and being attacked on all sides with spears and swords. It wasn't long before the Knights were overwhelmed and many killed. Just 2 Templers escaped along with Gerard De Ridefort himself, all the other Templers and Hospitallers were killed as they were rarely taken prisoner. It's thought most of the secular Knights were captured not killed. The Ayyubids then attacked the Christian infantry, killing and capturing some and scattering the rest. The Muslims went on to pillage the surrounding area before heading back through Tiberius to join Saladin and the main Ayyubid army.
Battle of the Horns of Hattin 1st July 1187:
Saladin with an army of 60,000 men crossed in to Jordan and met the army of Jerusalem at the hills of Hattin.
The army of Jerusalem was led by King Guy de Lusignan and contained about 20,000 men. The army included about 300 Templers, 250 Hospitallers and detachments from the Orders of Montjoie and St Lazarus.
The Crusader army was encircled and massacred with as few as 3000 escaping with their lives.
Siege of Christian Jerusalem
1187:
Saladin lays siege and captures all the remaining Christian land except Tyre 1187 :
Siege of Christian Tyre 1187
Siege of Muslim Acre 1189
Great battle of Acre 1189
Acre 1190
Sack of Massina 1190
Battle of Cyprus 1191
Siege of Muslim Acre
1189-1191
Arsouf 1191
Siege of Muslim Ascalon
1191
Skirmish at Muslim Darum
1192
Siege of Muslim Darum 1192
Skirmish near Jerusalem
1192
Battle for the caravans 1192
Siege of Christian Jaffa 1192
Jaffa 1192
Battles in the Kingdom of Heaven 1174-1192
There is little information on the battles during this period apart from Hattin and Arsouf and then it's a bit sketchy. I'm going to try and piece together what information there is and hopefully get a picture of what warfare during this period was like. This is a work in progress so please be patient. If you know of any primary sources in English I'd be happy to hear from you. I only speak English so any foreign sources would have to have been translated. I already have ''Historia Regini Hierosolymitani'' and the biography by Anna Comnena.
Hama 1175
Siege of Harim, Syria 1177
Mount Gisard 1177
Tell Jezer, Ramla 1177
Hims 1178
Hama 1178
Marj'Ayyun 1179
There are no numbers available for the troops involved on both sides. Saladin had invaded Sidon so King Baldwin IV and Count Raymond of Tripoli set out to intercept them. Saladin made camp in the low ground between some hills then sent out a force of skirmishers to raid and scout the surrounding area. Baldwin arrived on the hills overlooking Saladin's camp in the distance. Baldwin marched off the hills down to the plains below, still some distance from Saladin's camp. Baldwins infantry had struggled to keep up with the mounted troops and needed to rest on the plain when they finally arrived sometime after the cavalry. Saladin's scouting force now returned and were attacked by Baldwin's Knights and cavalry. The Ayyubids were routed with many killed, some Knights chased after the fleeing Muslims. The Christian army was now in disorder with the mounted troops scattered after their fight and the infantry exhausted and resting on the plains. Saladin's main army arrived, some of the fleeing skirmishes now rallied and the Ayyubids charged into the disordered ranks of Baldwin's army. The Christian forces had no time to re-group but managed to hold out until more Muslims arrived and overwhelmed them. The Muslim force was just too big and the Christians broke. Many Christians were killed during the battle but many more were slaughtered running away. The lucky ones including King Baldwin escaped to Beaufort castle. It's not known how many men Baldwin lost, but this defeat had a knock on effect as no offensive operations took place for a while afterwards.
Banias 1179
Latani River 1179
Siege at Jacobs Ford 1179
Quneitra 1179
Naval raid by Reynald de Chatillon to Red sea 1182
Siege of Christian Habis Jaldak in the Latin Principality of Galilee 1182
Conquest of Mesopotamian hinterland
Ayyubids raid in force attacking Zir’in, Forbelet, Mount Tabor 1183
Al-Fule 1183
siege of Christian Kerak 1183
Reynald de Chattlion attacks several Muslim caravans 1185
Saladin had sent an army of 700 ahead of his main army to ravage the lands of Jerusalem (some sources claim 7000, but this seems too high a number for a raiding force). Raymond III of Tripoli was hoping to ally himself with Saladin against Guy De Lusignan, so allowed the Ayyubids to pass through Tiberius unmolested. Raymond did however get word out about the Ayyubid presence. Arrangements were made for the crusaders to gather a force and intercept the Ayyubids. Knights possibly from Qaqun, Al-Fulah and Nazareth were gathered by Gerard De Ridefort, Grand Master of the Templers. Not many Knights were available in the region and only 90 Templers a handful of Hospitallers plus 40 secular Knights were mustered. An unknown number of Turcopoles, possibly 100 and 400 foot soldiers both spearmen and crossbowmen. Also present was Roger de Moulins Grand Master of the Hospitallers. Word had also reached Balian d'Ibelin and Reginald of Sidon, both whom were on the way but never arrived. Balian had stopped at Sebastea for a celebration feast and was a day behind. When he finally arrived at the camp of Gerard De Ridefort it was too late and learned of the disaster from a few survivors returning to the camp.
The Muslim force was led by one of Saladin's 17 sons Al-Afdal. 700 cavalry; probably a mix of un-armoured horse archers and armoured lances. The Ayyubids were resting at the springs and watering their horses. The area was quite green and wooded with a fresh water spring. Gerard De Ridefort goaded his Knights wanting them to immediately charge. Roger de Moulins advised against such a rash action as it would take them away from their infantry support and put them at a great disadvantage. Gerard had the last word and the Knights charged, leaving their infantry behind they crashed into the Ayyubid force. The Ayyubids stood firm and fought back despite being surprised. Gokbori and Qaymaz al Najmi, two Ayyubid leaders gathered troops and led a counter attack. It's possible this is the point that Roger de Moulins, Grand Master of the Hospitallers was killed after being run through with a lance. The Knights were now surrounded in the woods and being attacked on all sides with spears and swords. It wasn't long before the Knights were overwhelmed and many killed. Just 2 Templers escaped along with Gerard De Ridefort himself, all the other Templers and Hospitallers were killed as they were rarely taken prisoner. It's thought most of the secular Knights were captured not killed. The Ayyubids then attacked the Christian infantry, killing and capturing some and scattering the rest. The Muslims went on to pillage the surrounding area before heading back through Tiberius to join Saladin and the main Ayyubid army.
Battle of the Horns of Hattin 1st July 1187:
Saladin with an army of 60,000 men crossed in to Jordan and met the army of Jerusalem at the hills of Hattin.
The army of Jerusalem was led by King Guy de Lusignan and contained about 20,000 men. The army included about 300 Templers, 250 Hospitallers and detachments from the Orders of Montjoie and St Lazarus.
The Crusader army was encircled and massacred with as few as 3000 escaping with their lives.
Siege of Christian Jerusalem
Saladin lays siege and captures all the remaining Christian land except Tyre 1187
Siege of Christian Tyre 1187
Siege of Muslim Acre 1189
Great battle of Acre 1189
Acre 1190
Sack of Massina 1190
Battle of Cyprus 1191
Siege of Muslim Acre
Arsouf 1191
Siege of Muslim Ascalon
Skirmish at Muslim Darum
Siege of Muslim Darum 1192
Skirmish near Jerusalem
Battle for the caravans 1192
Siege of Christian Jaffa 1192
Jaffa 1192
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