The Crusades were wars fought between Christians and Muslims in the Middle Ages. They began when the great Christian city of Constantinople was threatened by a Muslim invasion in the 11th century. Pope Urban II, the leader of the Christian Church, called upon Christians to protect the city and to recapture Palestine. Known as the “Holy Land” because it was where Jesus Christ had lived, Palestine had been captured by the Muslims.

Fighting monks

The Knights Templar and the St John’s Hospitallers were Crusader knights dedicated to defending the Christian Holy City of Jerusalem. They were known as fighting monks. The Hospitallers also tended the wounded. The Knights Templar protected Christian pilgrims when they visited the Holy Land.

Saracens

Saladin, the Sultan of Egypt, united many Muslim states in the Middle East and raised a huge army. The Crusaders called them Saracens. They were fine horsemen and brave fighters. In 1187 the Saracens took back Jerusalem from the Crusaders. Saladin agreed a truce with King Richard I (Richard the Lionheart) of England.

Possession of the Levant (the area of modern Israel, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria) changed hands several times, but the Crusaders never succeeded in taking back Jerusalem. They were finally driven out by around 1300.

​​​​​​​Saladin was a deeply religious and honourable man. He was also a great military leader and won many battles against the Crusaders.