Siege of Jerusalem (1187)

Lore & Background

The Kingdom of Jerusalem, weakened by internal disputes, was defeated at the Battle of Hattin on 4 July 1187. Most of the nobility were taken prisoner, including King Guy. By mid-September, Saladin had taken Acre, Nablus, Jaffa, Toron, Sidon, Beirut, and Ascalon. Balian of Ibelin had asked Saladin for safe passage to Jerusalem to retrieve his wife Maria Komnene, Queen of Jerusalem and their family. Saladin granted his request, provided that Balian not take up arms against him and not remain in Jerusalem for more than one day; however, upon arrival, Patriarch Heraclius of Jerusalem, Queen Sibylla, and the rest of the inhabitants begged him to take charge of the defense. Balian found the situation dire: the city was filled with refugees and had fewer than fourteen knights. He created sixty new knights from squires and burgesses. The armies of Syria and Egypt assembled under Saladin, and after conquering Acre, Jaffa, and Caesarea, the sultan arrived outside Jerusalem on September 20. For six days, skirmishes were fought with little result. On September 26, Saladin moved his camp to the Mount of Olives. A portion of the wall collapsed on September 29, but the Muslims could not gain entrance. At the end of September, Balian rode out to meet Saladin, offering surrender. After negotiations, Balian proposed that 7,000 of those unable to pay would be freed for 30,000 dinars, and Saladin agreed. On Balian's orders, the Crusaders surrendered the city on October 2. The take-over was relatively peaceful. Balian paid 30,000 dinars for freeing 7,000 of those unable to pay. The large golden Christian cross over the Dome of the Rock was pulled down, and all Muslim prisoners of war taken by the Crusaders were released by Saladin, numbering close to 3,000. Saladin allowed many noblewomen to leave without paying ransom, including Queen Dowager Maria and Queen Sibylla. The native Christians were allowed to remain, and Jews were permitted to resettle. Those Christians of Crusader origin were allowed to leave by paying a ransom of 10 dinars. 15,000 of those who could not pay the ransom were sold into slavery.

Reader's Guide

The siege demonstrates the strategic importance of Jerusalem and the resilience of its defenders despite overwhelming odds. Balian's negotiation secured safe passage for many, while Saladin's tolerance allowed Christian pilgrims to visit holy sites, with Frankish pilgrims required to pay a fee. The fall of Jerusalem did not end the Kingdom of Jerusalem, as the capital shifted to Tyre and later to Acre after the Third Crusade.

Did You Know?

• Balian created 60 new knights from squires and burgesses to bolster the city's defense.
• Saladin allowed Queen Dowager Maria and Queen Sibylla to leave without paying ransom.
• The clergy organized a barefoot procession around the walls, similar to the First Crusade in 1099.
• Saladin restored Muslim holy sites and showed tolerance towards Christians, allowing Orthodox and Eastern Christian pilgrims to visit freely.