Ind 07/01/2025
Bad news travels fast. The battle of Hattin had hardly been fought and lost before messengers hurried westward to inform the princes of Europe; and they were soon followed by others telling of the fall of Jerusalem. Western Christendom learned of the disasters with consternation. In spite of all the appeals that had come from the kingdom of Jerusalem in recent years, no one in the West, except …
When the Frankish armies entered Jerusalem, the First Crusade attained its goal. But if the Holy City were to remain in Christian hands and if the way thither were to be made easy for pilgrims, a stable government must be set up there, with reliable defences and sure communications with Europe. The Crusaders that planned to settle in the East were well aware of their needs. The brief reign of D…
On a February day in the year A.D. 638 the Caliph Omar entered Jerusalem, riding upon a white camel. He was dressed in worn, filthy robes, and the army that followed him was rough and unkempt; but its discipline was perfect. At his side was the Patriarch Sophronius, as chief magistrate of the surrendered city. Omar rode straight to the site of the Temple of Solomon, whence his friend Mahomet ha…