Why was Saladin able to retake Jerusalem in 1187? (part 2)

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Why was Saladin able to retake Jerusalem in 1187? 

The main reasons that Saladin was able to take Jerusalem were:

  • Poor leadership & succession problems in Outremer
  • Lack of man power 
  • Growing unity of the Muslims & Saladin's rise to power
  • Lack of support from Byzantium & Europe
  • Factions and infighting in Outremer 
  • Muslim tactics at the battle of Hattin 

  

Poor leadership & succession problems in Outremer

Raymond of Tripoli and Raymond of Antioch both died in 1149 so Baldwin III had to rule both provinces. 

Baldwin III and his mother (Melisende) had a mini civil war, 1150-1152.

Baldwin died in 1163 at the age of 33.

Amalric died aged 38 in 1174 leaving only a leper son.

Baldwin IV was a leper, so very weak, nearly blind and partially paralysed in his early twenties. His rule created factions that plagued the Crusader States. 

Baldwin III, Amalric and Baldwin IV were all good military leaders as demonstrated by: Tripoli 1149, Antioch 1152, Ascalon 1153, Harim 1158, the four attempted invasions of Egypt, Montgisard 1177, Beirut 1182 and Kerak 1183

Marriage alliances between Europe and the Byzantine Empire. 

Baldwin V was a sickly child, who ruled with Baldwin IV from 1183 to 1185, then with Raymond of Triploi 1185-1186. He died aged 10 in 1186

Guy was an unpopular outsider ruling from 1186-1187

 

 
Lack of man power 

Only 2 knights left in Jerusalem- becasue Guy decided to use the tactic whereby he couldn't defend the cities. 

Constance's marriage to Reynauld of Chatillon in 1153 brought fighting men.

The lack of man power was seen at Hattin when Saladin's forces were significantly greater than the Frank's. 

   

 
Growing unity of the Muslims & Saladin's rise to power

After Saladin took

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