The Battle of Hattin (July 4, 1187) was the utmost disaster that the crusader states had ever seen. The campaign that, ultimately, led to the Battle, was not the worst invasion that the crusaders had ever faced, but it came at a time they were particularly divided and demoralized.

Since 1183, the Kingdom of Jerusalem was under Saladin’s rule, surrounded by Muslim territories. After Saladin’s defeat at the Battle of Montgisard in 1177, a nervous armistice existed between the two sides. However, with Raynald’s attacks on Muslim caravans in Oultrejordain, the truce was broken.

In 1186, after King Baldwin V’s death, Guy of Lusignan became King of Jerusalem. However, Guy received the throne due to the support of his wife, Sibylla. Otherwise, the new King of Jerusalem was highly unpopular because, in 1184, he had attacked a tribe of Bedouin shepherds massacring them for grazing their flock on Christian territory.

Under these conditions, the Kingdom of Jerusalem was divided between the supporters of Guy of Lusignan and his enemies, who were the Knights Templar and other noblemen, all led by Raymond III of Tripoli.

When Guy of Lusignan became King of Jerusalem, Raymond agreed on a new ceasefire with Saladin. In 1187, he allowed Saladin to send mercenaries into the northern side of the Kingdom. Meanwhile, the tension between Raymond and Guy had grown to a great extent, particularly after Guy’s wish to besiege the fortress Tiberias in the Jordan River Valley that was owned by Raymond. Hence, while Saladin was sending his army to Jerusalem, an embassy was sent to settle the situation between Guy and Raymond. Yet, the embassy was defeated at the Battle of Cresson and Raymond, filled with guilt, decided to make amends with Guy, assembled his armed forces and headed north to meet Saladin.

On July 4, 1187, Saladin attacked Tiberias. The crusaders made an attempt to aid the captured city, but the roads were blocked, so they had to wait on a highland near Hattin. Because of its geographic feature that resembled a double hill, the Battle of Hattin is also known as the ‘The Horns of Hattin’. Saladin's forces, acting quickly, surrounded the Christian forces, cut off the water supplies of the crusaders and attacked.

In the Battle of Hattin, the crusader army was shattered. Most of the crusaders were killed, while it is estimated that nearly 3,000 Christians escaped death. Raymond III was the only leader that escaped, while King Guy of Lusignan was captured. Saladin’s forces captured Guy’s royal tent and the True Cross.

On July 5, Saladin journeyed to Tiberias and took over the fortress from Raymond III’s wife, Countess Eschiva, who was allowed to leave for Tripoli with all her possessions and family. Raymond III died later in 1187 of pleurisy.

On July 6, Knights Templar and Knights Hospitaller were granted the opportunity to be converted to Islam. Those who accepted honored Islam and became religious Muslims.

Guy of Lusignan was transferred to Damascus as a prisoner.

After such a disastrous battle, the crusader states could not survive. As a direct result of their defeat at Hattin, Muslim forces had become the dominant military power in the Holy Land. The Christian forces had lost so many soldiers and Saladin had captured more territories, including Acre, Jaffa, Beirut, and Jerusalem (October 2, 1187). The news of the devastating defeat was brought to Pope Gregory VIII by Archbishop of Tyre, Joscius.

Upon learning the news, Pope Gregory VIII preached the Third Crusade (1189–1192), which however was another failure. Apparently, the defeat at the Battle of Hattin had lastingly turned the momentum against the crusaders.

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