Salah-ud-din Ayubi and Richard lionheart

Society Religion & Philosophy
1

This was the third and last crusade… I am quite impressed by Salah-ud-din leadership and wisdom, but Richard was an good intelligent warrior…

This is from the fact that Salahuddin and Richard, both are praised by there opponent. I think Position of Richard was getting weaker and weaker with time but he kept his nerves.

Sallahuddin is mostly praised for his peaceful capture of Jerusalem, and sanctioning life and security to Christians and Jews

Salah-ud-din Ayubi Vs Richard Lionheart

Saladin and Richard the Lionheart are two names that tend to dominate the Crusades. Both have gone down in Medieval history as great military leaders though their impact was limited to the Third Crusade.

Saladin was a great Muslim leader. His real name was Salah al-Din Yusuf. He united and lead the Muslim world and in 1187, he recaptured Jerusalem for the Muslims after defeating the King of Jerusalem at the Battle of Hattin near the Lake of Galilee. When his soldiers entered the city of Jerusalem, they were not allowed to kill civilians, rob people or damage the city. The more successful Saladin was, the more he was seen by the Muslims as being their natural leader.
…

Richard, Philip and their men travelled by boat. They stopped their journey in modern day Sicily. In March 1191, Philip then sailed to the port of Acre which was controlled by the Muslims. This was an important port to capture for the Christians as it would allow them to easily land their ships and it was also the nearest big port to Jerusalem. Acre was besieged. Philip’s men were joined by Richard’s.

He had captured Cyprus first before moving on to Acre. The port could not cope against such a force and in July 1191, it fell to the Christians. However, the siege had had its impact on Philip - he was exhausted and left for France. Richard was left by himself. While in control of Acre, the Christians massacred 2000 Muslim soldiers who they had captured. Saladin had agreed to pay a ransom for them but somehow there was a breakdown in the process of payment and Richard ordered their execution.
…

Both sides fought at the Battle of Arsur in September 1191. Richard won but he delayed his attack on Jerusalem as he knew that his army needed to rest. He spent the winter of 1191 to 1192 in Jaffa where his army regained its strength. Richard marched on Jerusalem in June 1192.

*However, by now even Richard the Lionheart was suffering. He had a fever and appealed to his enemy Saladin to send him fresh water and fresh fruit. Saladin did just this - sending frozen snow to the Crusaders to be used as water and fresh fruit. Why would Saladin do this ?

There are two reasons. First, Saladin was a strict Muslim. One of the main beliefs of Islam (the name of the belief of Muslims) is that they should help those in need. Secondly, Saladin could send his men into Richard’s camp with the supplies and spy on what he had in terms of soldiers, equipment etc.*

…
What they found was that Richard only had 2,000 fit soldiers and 50 fit knights to use in battle. With such a small force, Richard could not hope to take Jerusalem even though he got near enough to see the Holy City. Richard organised a truce with Saladin - pilgrims from the west would once again be allowed to visit Jerusalem without being troubled by the Muslims. Neither Richard or Saladin particularly liked the truce but both sides were worn out and in October 1192, Richard sailed for western Europe never to return to the Holy Land.

However, for Richard the adventure was not over. On his journey back to England, his ship got wrecked in a storm. He found that he had to travel through Austria. This country was owned by a sworn enemy of Richard - Duke Leopold of Austria. Leopold had originally been a leading member of the Third Crusade but he had been ridiculed by Richard who did nothing to stop his men making fun out of Leopold. They called him “the sponge” because he drank so much and was drunk too often !! Leopold had lost a lot of prestige and now he had a chance to avenge himself. Richard was betrayed to Leopold who held him captive for two years until a ransom was paid for him. Richard arrived home in 1194.

Richard was known as the “Lionheart” by his people. Even the Muslims praised him. The Muslim writer Baha wrote about Richard while the Third Crusade was going on:

"......a very powerful man of great courage........a king of wisdom, courage and energy.....brave and clever."

source

2

Very good reading. Thanx for sharing.... Learned something about history...
-Salman

3

Thanks for sharing.

4

Good times when warriors had grace and generosity.. more respect for opponents that even cannot be found among comrades these days…

5

^ very rightly said.. :k:

But rarely the world has seen so intense series of wars.. (crusades) where hundreds of thousands of men women and children got killed.

If you read his biography, Sallah-ud-din Ayubi was a great leader, statesman, and a wise diplomat. He had to face intense internal threats, several assasination attempts and then long and nerve wrenching crusades.

Christians forces occupied Jerusalem during crusades, and did the massacare of Muslim population. Sallahuddin regained the city 88 years later and did the opposite…

** According to the French historian Michaud, on the conquest of Jerusalem by the Christians in 1099 …**

the Saracens(muslims) were massacred in the streets and in the houses. Jerusalem had no refuge for the vanquished. Some fled from death by precipitating themselves from the ramparts; others crowded for shelter into the palaces, the towers and above all, in the mosques where they could not conceal themselves from the Christians. The Crusaders, masters of the Mosque of Umar, where the Saracens defended themselves for sometime, renewed their deplorable scenes which disgraced the conquest of Titus. The infantry and the cavalry rushed pell-mell among the fugitives. Amid the most horrid tumult, nothing was heard but the groans and cries of death; the victors trod over heaps of corpses in pursuing those who vainly attempted to escape. **Raymond d'Agiles who was an eye-witness, says :that under the portico of the mosque, the blood was knee-deep, and reached the horses' bridles.'** There was a short lull in the act of slaughter when the Crusaders assembled to offer their thanksgiving prayer for the victory they had achieved. But soon it was renewed with great ferocity. All the captives’, says Michaud, `whom the lassitude of carnage had at first spared, all those who had been saved in the hope of rich ransom, were butchered in cold blood. The Saracens were forced to throw themselves from the tops of towers and houses; they were burnt alive; they were dragged from their subterranean retreats, they were hauled to the public places, and immolated on piles of the dead. Neither the tears of women nor the cries of little children— not even the sight of the place where Jesus Christ forgave his executioners, could mollify the victors’ passion… The carnage lasted for a week. The few who escaped were reduced to horrible servitude’.

On the contrary 88 years later Sallah-ud-din Ayubi’s :rehm: treatment of inhabitant christians was different…

On the other hand, when the Sultan captured Jerusalem in 1187, he gave free pardon to the Christians living in the city. Only the combatants were asked to leave the city on payment of a nominal ransom. In most of the cases, the Sultan provided the ransom money from his own pocket and even provided them transport. A number of weeping Christian women carrying their children in their arms approached the Sultan and said `You see us on foot, the wives, mothers and dauthers of the warriors who are your prisoners; we are quitting forever this country; they aided us in our lives, in losing them we lose our last hope; if you give them to us, they can alleviate our miseries and we shall not be without support on earth’. The Sultan was highly moved with their appeal and set free their men. Those who left the city were allowed to carry all their bag and baggage. The humane and benevolent behaviour of the Sultan with the defeated Christians of Jerusalem provides a striking contrast to the butchery of the Muslims in this city at the hands of the Crusaders ninety years before. The commanders under the Sultan vied with each other in showing mercy to the defeated Crusaders.

    The Christian refugees of Jerusalem were not given refuge by the cities ruled by the Christians. `Many of the Christians who left Jerusalem', says Mill, `went to Antioch but Bohemond not only denied them hospitality, but even stripped them. They marched into the Saracenian country, and were well received'. Michaud gives a long account of the Christian inhumanity to the Christian refugees of Jerusalem. Tripoli shut its gates on them and, according to Michaud, `one woman, urged by despair, cast her infant into the sea, cursing the Christians who refused them succour'. But the Sultan was very considerate towards the defeated Christians. Respecting their feelings, he did not enter the city of Jerusalem until the Crusaders had left.

Interestingly most of these accounts are written by non-muslims.

For further
reading …

6

Itna lamba article.Let me get something to eat, then I will read it.:D (Interesting).

7

Thanks Code Red. I was about to write regarding the difference in behaviour myself. Very well written wherever you got it from.

8

Re: Salah-ud-din Ayubi and Richard lionheart

[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Code_Red: *
What they found was that Richard only had 2,000 fit soldiers and 50 fit knights to use in battle. With such a small force, Richard could not hope to take Jerusalem even though he got near enough to see the Holy City. Richard organised a truce with Saladin - pilgrims from the west would once again be allowed to visit Jerusalem without being troubled by the Muslims. Neither Richard or Saladin particularly liked the truce but both sides were worn out and in October 1192, Richard sailed for western Europe never to return to the Holy Land.
[/QUOTE]

In a book ("Warriors of God", by James Reston, who continually praised Salahudin), I came across a different narration.

It stated that Salahudin found he had an insufficient force to defend Jerusalem and withdrew its garrison in the face of the incoming Crusader army, not being willing to throw away those mens' lives in vain.

King Richard march to within sight of Jerusalem, but was unware that it was not defended. Even though his men and commanders were in high spirits and eager to launch the attack, King Richard was mysteriously overtaken by fear and refused to attack, instead organising a truce with Salahudin and retreatiing his army.

When I read that, what I read into it was clearly a miracle by Allah SWT who struck Richard with fear and made him turn away...

9

There are lengthy details of crusades. Christians occupied some important cities and coastal areas whereas Muslim defended many cities and inflicted heavy losses on crusader, by Salah uddin's clever war manoeuvres ... I wrote just a few parts. here is more from the book 'The great Muslim generals and conquerors'...

Some more ...

    ...Peace talks having failed the crusaders, under Richard's command marched towards Jerusalem to besiege it. They had large army of cavalry and infantry, as well as military equipment. The crusaders encamped at Beit-Nuba. Salah uddin at that time was in Jerusalem......

           Salah uddin sent his scouts to Beit-Nuba to watch enemy and send information.... One day they sent a message that there was discord among crusaders. Richard wanted to return to Ramalah ,because spring water was polluted and there was no water to drink, But Frank disagreed. However after much dispute Richard's decision was accepted and they returned to Ramalah

             Richard again started peace negotiations with Salah uddin. His intentions were, however was not to arrive at peaceful settlement but merely to bide time whilst waiting for reinforcements to arrive from europe. But Salah uddin saw through his tricks.

After some intense battles for Jafa, crusaders ocupied the city. But the soldiers of both side were tired and wearied after so much fighting.

Peace Settlements :

Although the Eurpean countries had many differences among themselves, they had united their forces for the sake of Holy cause. But with the passing time, their dispute arose again. In the begining to 1192 there was much confusion and lawlessness in the crusader's army. Civil war had also started in the city of Arce. Richard hurried to Arce to take control.

Richard also got news of conspiracies against him in England. His brother Jhon had got hold of the royal treasury. Now Kingship of Richard himself was at stake. He wrote to Salah uddin....

"I request you, in the name of God to grant peace. We must put an end to this fruitless war. My own country, beyond the sea is being ruined. There is no advantage in such suffering for both of us"

At last in September 1192, after months long meetings and discussions, pease was attained. Main points were ..

-Both communities woulld rule their conquered areas
-free passage was allaowed for Muslims and Christian in all areas
-Hajj road was open from Syria
-Christains were free to go to pilgrimage to Jerusalem