“Third Crusade” 820th Anniversary Series: Saladin Learns of the Death of his Nephew Taqi al-Din November 1, 2011
Posted by rwf1954 in crusades, history, medieval period, Middle Ages, Saladin, Taqi al-Din, the crusades, third crusade.Tags: Crusades, medieval history, Middle Ages, Saladin, Taqi al-Din, Third Crusade
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(This post is the 40th of what will be approximately 70 posts following 820th anniversary highlights of what history now calls the “Third Crusade.” My novel, The Swords of Faith, tells the story of this legendary clash between Richard the Lionheart and Saladin.)
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820 years ago today, Saladin asked that all but a few close associates leave his tent. With his brother and a few others with him, Saladin produced a letter that made him weep. Taqi al-Din, his talented nephew, a man instrumental in many of Saladin’s successes over the recent years, including his decisive victory at the Battle of Hattin and his recapture of Jerusalem, had died. True, Saladin was angry at his nephew for leaving Acre earlier in the year to establish his own position at his own fiefs. Saladin would always wonder if Taqi al-Din’s presence could have even helped him avert the defeats he has suffered since then. But he had always hoped Taqi al-Din would return, they would be reconciled, and his assistance would help Saladin achieve new triumphs. Now there would be no reconciliation, and for Taqi al-Din, no redemption. The memory of his achievements would be forever tainted by his departure before the job was done. For all these reasons, Saladin wept. In fact, Saladin had to be reminded not to weep too deeply, as this might be construed as a failure to except God’s will.
Previous 820th Anniversary Posts:
July 4th – The 820th Anniversary of the Launch of the “Third Crusade”
October 4th – Richard the Lionheart Sacks Messina
November 3rd – Queen Sibylla Dies
November 11th – Richard the Lionheart Signs a Treaty with King Tancred of Sicily
November 15th – Queen Isabella’s Marriage to Humphrey of Toron is Annulled
November 19th – Archbishop of Canterbury Dies
November 24th – Conrad of Montferrat Marries Queen Isabella
December 25th – Richard the Lionheart Feasts at Christmas
December 31st – Shipwreck at Acre; Muslim Defenders Lose Resupply
January 5th – A Wall Comes Down, Presenting an Opportunity
February 2nd – A Playful “Joust” Gets Out of Hand in Sicily
February 13th – Saladin’s Forces Relieve the Garrison at Acre
March 3rd – Richard the Lionheart Settles the Alice Marriage Controversy—Sort Of
March 30th – Philip II Leaves Sicily; Berengeria Arrives
April 10th – Richard the Lionheart Leaves Sicily for “Outremer”
April 20th – Philip II of France Lands at Acre
April 22nd – Richard the Lionheart Lands at Rhodes After His Fleet Scatters
May 1st – Richard the Lionheart Leaves Rhodes to Rescue His Sister and Fiancée
May 8th – Richard the Lionheart and His Troops Storm Limassol
May 11th – Crusaders Opposed to Conrad Visit Richard the Lionheart on Cyprus
May 12th – Richard the Lionheart Marries Princess Berengeria
May 30th – Fighting Intensifies at Acre
June 5th – Richard Leaves Famagusta for the Eastern Mediterranean Coast/Saladin Moves his Camp
June 6th – Richard the Lionheart Refused Admittance to Tyre
June 8th – Richard the Lionheart Arrives at Acre
June 11th – Saladin’s Relief Ship Sinks
June 25th – Conrad of Montferrat Leaves Acre; Saladin’s Receives Reinforcements
July 31st – Philip II of France Makes a Promise and Leaves for Home
August 2nd – Envoys Discuss Acre Surrender Terms
August 11th – Date for the First Installment of the Acre Ransom Ends in Stalemate
August 20th – Richard the Lionheart Orders the Executions of the Acre Hostages
August 22nd – Richard the Lionheart Leaves Acre to Move South Toward Jerusalem
September 5th – Richard the Lionheart Meets with Saladin’s Brother al-Adil
September 7th – Christian Forces Win the Battle of Arsuf
September 11th – Saladin Gives the Command to Dismantle Ascalon
Sepember 29th – Saladin’s Troops Nearly Take Richard the Lionheart Prisoner
October 20th – Richard the Lionheart Proposes that His Sister Marry Saladin’s Brother al-Adil
To review a comprehensive catalog of historical fiction set during the medieval time period, go to http://www.medieval-novels.com:80/.
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