The Latin Church of Antioch after 1187

After Saladin's decisive victory at Hattin in 1187, his campaign to conquer northern Crusader states revealed the resilience of certain fortresses and regions. Despite significant victories, Saladin failed to capture Tripoli, Tortosa, Antioch, Crac des Chevaliers, Qal’at Salah El-Din (Qusair), or other key strongholds. The treaty with King Richard I of England in 1192 secured the independence of these areas, which remained under Crusader control due to the fragmentation and internal strife among Saladin's Aiyubid successors. Post-Saladin, the Aiyubid princes largely maintained peaceful relations with their Frankish neighbors until new crusades disrupted this stability. This study highlights the strategic importance of these fortresses in preserving Crusader territories and the role of political dynamics in shaping regional power structures during the late 12th century.

(Ed.). (2016). The Latin Church of Antioch after 1187. The Latin Church in the Crusader States, 222–252. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315238777-14