Yusuf ibn-Ayyub Salah-al-Din, Saladin, was born in Tikrit, Mesopotamia in 1138. Of Kurdish descent, Saladin lived in an era of political disunity in the Muslim world. In 1157, Sultan Nureddin declared Holy War, in particular against the Kingdom of Jerusalem. Saladin's uncle, Shiguh, directed Sultan Nureddin's conquest in Eqypt. Sultan Nureddin, elevated Shiguh to the position of vizier to al-Adid,a Fatimid caliph.
Saladin's Military Career As a Muslim Warrior
Saladin succeeded his uncle as vizier. When al-Adid died in 1171, he was the last Fatimid caliph. Saladin then became Sultan of Egypt. He endeavored to restore allegiance to the orthodox caliph in Baghdad, once pledge by Egyptians.
The Sunnite Form of Islam
Saladin is chiefly responsible for the Sunnite form of Islam which he favored, taking precedence over the Shiite form. When Sultan Nureddin died in 1174. Saladin, gaining recognition, was then declared Sultan of Syria and Egypt by the caliph a year later.
Saladin's Progressive Advancements
By 1186, Saladin had spent 13 years advancing the Muslim kingdom and uniting Muslims against the Christian Crusaders. He annexed Syrian territories that surrounded the Latin Kingdom which included Jerusalem. For 5 years he focused on destroying the Kingdom of Jerusalem and led campaigns against the Crusaders. By the year 1187, he accomplished his mission and captured the city of Jerusalem. One year later, he claimed all of the Kingdom of Jerusalem but Antioch, Tyre and Tripoli, wresting it from the Christians. He commanded a siege on Acre, lifted only by the onset of the Third Crusade. In addition to Acre, the Crusaders regained Jaffa and Caesarea. But, they failed to recover Jerusalem.
Saladin The Chivalrous
Saladin a man of great reknown among Muslims was also honored by Christians for his chivalrous conduct while in battle. Though unable to completely drive the Crusaders from the Holy Land, Saladin left the Crusaders a small strip of coastal land. The Crusaders held this for 100 years. He allowed the Crusaders free passage to Jerusalem.
Saladin and King Richard I, The Lionheart
King Richard I of England was 16 years old when he led his first battle against the Saracens earning him the iconic title Richard the Lionheart. King Richard I would meet his counterpart, Saladin, when he entered the Third Crusade, upon hearing of the fall of Jerusalem to the Muslims. Viewed as a pious hero who spoke very little English, owing to his royal French descent, Richard the Lionheart took up the cross of his father and King Philip II. He began to amass an army supported, ironically, by tithing paid by Saladin to Richard's father. Richard I aided in the battle at Acre, despite suffering from scurvy. He defeated Saladin's men at the battle of Arsuf and later tried to negotiate with him.
The Kingdom of Jerusalem
Realizing that hope of recapturing Jerusalem was impossible, Richard I ordered his troops to retreat. Richard I, disguised as one of the Knights Templar escaped to Corfu, a base Richard had granted the Knights Templar.
The Legend of Saladin and Richard the Lionheart
Saladin and Richard the Lionheart are the subject of a legend in which Saladin seeing Richard I fatally injured in battle, orders Richard to be allowed to die with the honors accorded a military hero. Saladin died in Damascus in 1193 and Richard died in his mother's arms as a result of a vengence killing in 1199. Yet, the legend of Saladin and Richard the Lionheart inextricably links these two men of chivalry.
Source:
Colliers Encyclopedia, The Sultans, Author Noel Barber
Eleanore Whitaker - Staff writer for RITRO.com, former newsletter contributor to League of Women Voters, Editor of "Timepiece Magazine for Thomas Warne Museum ...
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