saladin Archives

Al-Kerak – crusader jewel in Jordan

Tony McMahon13 years ago1 year ago04 mins

The castle of Al-Karak in modern day Jordan is a Templar jewel visited by TV historian Tony McMahon who is your guide.

Siege of Acre – disaster for the Knights Templar

Tony McMahon14 years ago1 year ago38 mins

The Siege of Acre in 1291 saw the Mamluks overrun the crusader fortress defeating the Knights Hospitaller and Knights Templar

Massacre of Christians in Jerusalem

Tony McMahon14 years ago1 year ago114 mins

In 1244, the holy city of Jerusalem fell to an alliance of Muslim forces led by a Khwarazmian army. The Christian and Jewish populations of the city were slaughtered and the bodies of the past crusader Kings of Jerusalem were dragged out of their tombs and thrown into the street.

The Fall of Jerusalem in 1187

Tony McMahon14 years ago1 year ago412 mins

During the Crusades, the holy city of Jerusalem was held for just under a century by Christian forces. It was taken at the start of the First Crusade in 1099 and then lost to the Muslim Saracens in 1187. One contemporary English chronicler, Roger of Hoveden (or Howden) described what happened. How was it that the crusaders lost control of Jerusalem?

Who was the REAL Saladin?

Tony McMahon14 years ago1 year ago514 mins

Saladin was a formidable Saracen leader but his image has gone through many changes down the centuries from villain to hero, Christian convert to Arab nationalist, as Tony McMahon discovers.