Saladin and the Franj Prisoners of Hattin: Ransom, Slavery, and Chivalry

Saladin's Treasury Crisis: How the Sultan Paid for His Jihad

In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the often-overlooked financial side of Saladin's campaigns. After the epic victory at Hattin and the recapture of Jerusalem, the sultan faced a daunting challenge: paying his armies, maintaining fortresses, and governing a sprawling empire without a steady income. Drawing from the chronicles of Baha ad-Din ibn Shaddad and Imad ad-Din al-Isfahani, they delve into Saladin's innovative use of war booty, the restructuring of the Diwan al-Mal (treasury), the controversial sale of captured Frankish nobles, and the role of the waqf system in funding religious institutions. The episode also examines the financial strain of the Third Crusade, the collapse of Saladin's treasury after the siege of Acre, and how he resorted to melting down palace silver and borrowing from merchants. A vivid picture emerges of a leader whose military genius was matched by his constant struggle for coin. #Saladin #Ayyubid #Crusades #MedievalFinance #DiwanAlMal #BahaAdDin #ImadAdDin #Hattin #Jerusalem1187 #ThirdCrusade #Acre #Waqf #WarBooty #Mamluks #MiddleEast #History #FexingoHistory #Sultan Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo [https://buymeacoffee.com/fexingo]

Saladin's Siege of Kerak 1183 The Battle That Never Happened

In this episode, we explore the dramatic showdown between Saladin and Raynald de Châtillon at the fortress of Kerak in 1183. Unlike the famous Battle of Hattin, this siege never reached a climax—Saladin withdrew after a series of failed assaults and a bold Crusader relief force led by Guy of Lusignan. We delve into the military tactics, the political stakes, and the personal rivalry that simmered for years. Discover how Kerak, once a symbol of Crusader defiance, became a flashpoint for war. We also examine the role of siege warfare, the challenges of supply lines, and the strategic importance of the Transjordan region. This episode sheds light on a lesser-known but pivotal moment in the lead-up to the Third Crusade. With references to Baha ad-Din ibn Shaddad, Imad ad-Din al-Isfahani, and Ibn al-Athir, we piece together a story of ambition, resilience, and missed opportunities. A must-listen for anyone fascinated by the Crusades and the complex dynamics of medieval Near Eastern politics. #Saladin #Kerak #RaynaldDeChatillon #SiegeOfKerak1183 #Crusades #Ayyubid #GuyOfLusignan #Transjordan #MedievalWarfare #BahaAdDin #IbnAlAthir #ImadAdDin #CrusaderCastles #ThirdCrusade #History #FexingoHistory #MiddleEast #SiegeWarfare Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo [https://buymeacoffee.com/fexingo]

Saladin's Forgotten Commander: The Battle of Arsuf 1191

When Saladin faced Richard the Lionheart at Arsuf in September 1191, he suffered his first major defeat in open battle. But the story is more complex than a simple Christian victory. This episode unpacks the tactical decisions, the role of Saladin's commanders like Taqi ad-Din and al-Adil, the devastating charge of the Crusader cavalry, and how the battle reshaped the Third Crusade. We explore why Saladin's carefully laid ambush failed, how Richard's discipline held, and what the aftermath meant for the struggle over Jerusalem. Drawing on Baha ad-Din ibn Shaddad, Imad ad-Din al-Isfahani, and Latin sources like the Itinerarium Regis Ricardi, we separate legend from evidence and reveal a pivotal moment that neither side could fully claim. #Arsuf1191 #Saladin #RichardLionheart #ThirdCrusade #TaqiAdDin #AlAdil #BahaAdDinIbnShaddad #ItinerariumRegisRicardi #CrusaderCavalry #MilitaryHistory #MedievalWarfare #BattleofArsuf #Ayyubid #Crusades #Levant #History #FexingoHistory #MiddleEastHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo [https://buymeacoffee.com/fexingo]

Saladin's Friday Prayer at the Dome of the Rock 1187

On October 2, 1187, Saladin entered Jerusalem and made history by reclaiming the city for Islam after 88 years of Crusader rule. But rather than a vengeful conqueror, he ordered restraint—sparing civilians, protecting churches, and personally leading Friday prayer at the Dome of the Rock. This episode dives into the careful planning behind that prayer: how Saladin's team restored the sacred site, cleansed it of Christian additions, and delivered a sermon that echoed across the Muslim world. We explore the logistics of converting the building back to a mosque, the symbolic choice of preacher, and the emotional aftermath for both Muslims and Franks. Drawing on Ibn al-Athir and Imad ad-Din al-Isfahani, we uncover a moment that was as political as it was spiritual—a pivot point in the Third Crusade. If you've ever wondered what it actually felt like to be in Jerusalem that day, this episode is for you. #Saladin #DomeOfTheRock #Jerusalem1187 #ThirdCrusade #Ayyubid #QubbatAlSakhra #AlAqsa #IbnAlAthir #ImadAdDin #Crusades #IslamicHistory #MedievalMiddleEast #BaytAlMaqdis #Hattin #FridayPrayer #History #FexingoHistory #MiddleEastHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo [https://buymeacoffee.com/fexingo]

Saladin's Forgotten Siege of Acre 1189-1191 The Turning Point

When the Third Crusade arrived in the Holy Land, the crusaders' first target was Acre — a city Saladin had captured two years earlier. But the siege that followed turned into one of the longest and bloodiest battles of the entire Crusades, lasting from August 1189 to July 1191. In this episode, we explore the opening moves of the siege: how Guy of Lusignan, recently released from captivity, gathered a small force and camped outside Acre, defying Saladin's superior army. Why did Saladin allow this to happen? What was the strategic calculus? We trace the first months of the siege, the arrival of European kings, and the naval stalemate that defined the conflict. Drawing on accounts from Baha ad-Din ibn Shaddad and Imad ad-Din al-Isfahani, we reveal the challenges both sides faced — disease, supply shortages, and the clash of wills that would reshuffle the map of the Latin East. #Saladin #Acre #ThirdCrusade #GuyOfLusignan #BahaAdDinIbnShaddad #ImadAdDinAlIsfahani #CrusaderSiege #Ayyubid #MedievalWarfare #SiegeOfAcre #RichardTheLionheart #PhilipAugustus #ConradOfMontferrat #NavalHistory #MiddleEastHistory #Crusades #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo [https://buymeacoffee.com/fexingo]