During the Crusades 16-year-old King Baldwin IV led his about 400 Templars and few thousands of infantry against army of Saladin, who was on his way to attack Jerusalem. According to some sources Saladin was leading over 25,000 warriors and didn’t expect Baldwin (who was suffering from leprosy) to take any offensive actions and thus let his army to pillage surrounding villages. The attack of Cru...

Siege of stronghold Kerak was Saladin’s answer to capture of Aqaba by the Crusaders, which would put the holy place of Mecca in danger. The stronghold was well prepared and Saladin couldn’t break the walls of Kerak even though he used several catapults and kept the defenders under constant strain. Siege was lifted on arrival of relief force under King Baldwin IV of Jerusalem. Saladin returned ...

Battle between Saladin army and the Crusaders near town of Hattin. Crusaders left their stronghold of Sephoria and moved towards the besieged fortress of Tiberias. Saladin used only part of his forces for the siege, keeping the rest ready to intercept the forces that would come to the rescue. Crusaders were attacked from two sides and most of the 20,000 men were killed. That battle later triggered...

Siege of the city of Jerusalem that took place soon after disastrous for Crusaders battle of Hattin in which they have lost almost 20,000 men. After two weeks Balian of Ibelin, in charge of defence, has surrendered the city, which ended the first Kingdom of Jerusalem and triggered the Third Crusade two years later....