Lions Led By Donkeys Podcast Episode 253: The Battle of Hattin
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Mar 26, 2023 In a dramatic retelling, the hosts explore the disastrous Battle of Hattin, highlighting the Crusaders’ critical error of neglecting their water needs. They unravel the political intrigue within Jerusalem's leadership and the strategic miscalculations of King Amalric. Saladin's cunning tactics, including psychological warfare and horse archer harassment, prove decisive. The harrowing march into the desert leads to a catastrophic rout for the Crusaders, altering the course of history and setting the stage for the fall of Jerusalem.
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Structural Fragility Of Crusader States
- Crusader states depended entirely on Europe for money and manpower and could not sustain prolonged war locally.
- Centralized European states later diverted resources away, strangling the crusader lifeline and weakening frontier realms.
Ideology Fueled Strategic Overreach
- Crusader kingdoms relied on constant warfare by ideology and conquest, making long-term stability impossible.
- Shifting crusading priorities (Reconquista, Teutonic expansion) drained manpower from the Levant.
Coronation Snub Sparks Civil Fracture
- A coronation stunt led Sybilla to publicly reject Guy and crown someone else, sparking civil infighting.
- Raymond III then rebelled, splitting Christian leadership at a critical moment.
