Kingdom of Heaven

It made little sense for the Kingdom’s army to march from Saffuriyah to Tiberias, a distance of 16 miles (26 kilometers), on a hot summer day. Exposing men to extreme thirst, in an arid land, was tantamount to suicide. Saladin must have smiled as he watched the opposition walk into his trap.

From Tiberias, pictured as it appears today, Guy’s thirsty army marched to the springs of Turan. Thereafter, the left flank was encircled by Saladin. The rearguard was ferociously attacked. Struggling uphill to Maskana, the Christians (according to an account by Matthew Paris, written in the 13th century), halted on Raymond’s advice. Short of water, and surrounded, they would spend the night. For many, it would be their last.

The following morning, July 4th, Saladin held back his attack until the heat of the day was most intense. It was difficult for dehydrated men - who could see but not reach the nearby lake - to think straight or fight wisely. Foot soldiers rushed ahead, with their axes and maces, but were crushed by Muslim swords and lances. Infused with a courage born of despair, they fought on, but their efforts were futile.

Succumbing to thirst, some of Guy’s infantry took refuge on nearby hills known as the Horns of Hattin. His unprotected cavalry, although they fought bravely, were mostly at the mercy of Saladin’s mounted archers. Superior numbers of Muslims prevented the Franks from effectively breaking out of the encirclement. The Christian forces appeared doomed.

Raymond of Tripoli led a charge, breaking through the Muslim line, but could not rejoin his fellow Kingdom fighters when Saladin’s men closed ranks. Raymond escaped when one of Saladin’s lieutenants recognized him. He rode back to Tripoli “but died of rage and grief soon afterward.” (Karen Armstrong, Holy War, page 253.)

Ibn al-Athir takes us to the scene immediately after Raymond’s exit:

After the count’s departure, the Franj were on the point of capitulating. The Muslims had set fire to the dry grass, and the wind was blowing the smoke into the eyes of the knights. Assailed by thirst, flames, and smoke, by the summer heat and the fires of combat, the Franj were unable to go on. But they believed they could avoid death only by confronting it. They launched attacks so violent that the Muslims were about to give way. Nevertheless, with each assault the Franj suffered heavy losses and their numbers diminished. The Muslims gained possession of the True Cross. For the Franj, this was the heaviest of losses, for it was on this cross, they claim, that the Messiah, peace be upon him, was crucified. (Quoted in The Crusades Through Arab Eyes, page 192.)