In 1183 Raynald de Chatillion organized an expedition around the Red Sea. He captured the town of Aqaba, giving him a base of operations against Islam's holiest city, Mecca. Saladin, the leader of the Muslim forces, could not tolerate this and moved against Raynald's stronghold laying siege while Isabella and Humphrey IV de Toron celebrated their marriage...
Baldwin immediately marched with a relief force, accompanied by his regent, Raymond III of Tripoli. The young King was so crippled by leprosy, an affliction he had battled since childhood, he could barely see or stand. Still, so determined was he to continue fighting his nemesis Saladin, he was carried with the troops on a stretcher. The Christian forces arrived while Saladin was still struggling against the heavy fortifications. Knowing he risked being crushed between the Royal army and the walls of Kerak, he fled.
WI Saladin insisted on fighting Baldwin IV and Raynald while his army became trapped between them annihilated and himself was killed? How is that changing History? Could Kingdom of Jerusalem had survived after that? Any thoughts?
Baldwin immediately marched with a relief force, accompanied by his regent, Raymond III of Tripoli. The young King was so crippled by leprosy, an affliction he had battled since childhood, he could barely see or stand. Still, so determined was he to continue fighting his nemesis Saladin, he was carried with the troops on a stretcher. The Christian forces arrived while Saladin was still struggling against the heavy fortifications. Knowing he risked being crushed between the Royal army and the walls of Kerak, he fled.
WI Saladin insisted on fighting Baldwin IV and Raynald while his army became trapped between them annihilated and himself was killed? How is that changing History? Could Kingdom of Jerusalem had survived after that? Any thoughts?
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