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Saladin's taking of Jerusalem, three months after the fighting forces of the Kingdom of Jerusalem were wiped out in the Battle of Hattin, precipitated the Third Crusade.  Eyewitness accounts are rare for the Early and High Middle Ages.  The siege of Jerusalem in 1187 is exceptional in having three.  Two of these were by men with inside knowledge of the surrender negotiations, Saldadin's personal secretary Imad al-Din al-Isfahani, and Ernoul, the squire of Balian of Ibelin, the commander of Jerusalem's defense. The surrender and the events leading up to it are also the subject of a Hollywood movie "The Kingdom of Heaven."  In this episode Ellen and I discuss how the two primary sources and the movie present the surrender--and why. Please join us.

Listen on Podurama https://podurama.com

Intro and exit music are by Alexander Nakarada

If you have questions, feel free to contact me at [email protected]