1 magg 1187 anni - Battle of Cresson

Descrizione:

The Battle of Cresson, fought on May 1, 1187, near Nazareth at the "Spring of the Cresson," was a crucial prelude to the significant defeat of the Kingdom of Jerusalem at the Battle of Hattin. Although the exact location of the spring remains disputed, it is believed to be near the springs of Sepphoris or possibly 'Ain ad-Daya, close to the Nazareth-Tiberias road.

In the years leading up to the battle, the Kingdom of Jerusalem was plagued by dynastic instability and internal divisions. After the death of Baldwin IV, who had suffered from leprosy, a succession crisis erupted following the death of his nephew Baldwin V in 1186. Sibylla crowned herself and her unpopular husband Guy of Lusignan, ignoring the kingdom's nobles who opposed Guy's leadership.

Saladin, having consolidated his control over Mosul, Aleppo, and Egypt, was recognized by the Abbasid caliphate and had his sights set on expanding his dominion. A tenuous truce with the Franks was broken when Reynald of Chatillon captured a Muslim caravan, provoking Saladin's wrath. In response, Saladin launched an offensive against Reynald's fortress at Kerak.

In an attempt to unify the Christian forces and address the looming threat from Saladin, King Guy assembled a delegation to negotiate peace with Raymond III of Tripoli, who had retreated to his fief and was considering aligning with Saladin against Guy. However, as the delegation, which included prominent figures from the Knights Templar and Knights Hospitaller, moved towards Tiberias, they were ambushed by Saladin's forces near the springs of Cresson.

The Christian force, significantly outnumbered and comprising about 130 knights and additional infantry, was quickly overwhelmed by Saladin's well-prepared troops. The battle resulted in a devastating loss for the Franks, with many knights killed, including figures such as the Hospitaller Master Roger de Moulins and Templar Marshal Robert Fraisnel.

This defeat further polarized the Christian nobility, with Raymond severing ties with Saladin and rejoining Guy. The Frankish forces, now united under Guy's command but weakened by the loss at Cresson, would face Saladin again at Hattin, leading to a more decisive and catastrophic defeat, ultimately culminating in Saladin's capture of Jerusalem in October 1187. The Battle of Cresson underscored the strategic and diplomatic missteps that plagued the Kingdom of Jerusalem, setting the stage for its eventual downfall.

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