Outremer
War With Saladin
Now once again the pot was stirred by Reynald of Châtillon. During these years of truce, trade had flourished. Unable to resist the temptation, Reynald plundered a caravan in December 1186, netting an enormous haul. Saladin demanded he return the goods, but Reynald refused. The Sultan's ambassadors then went to King Guy to remind him of the treaty. The new King ordered Reynald to make satisfaction, but the lord of Oultrejourdain simply ignored him. The ambassadors returned to Damascus and Saladin decided to punish the Franks himself. Once again, Guy was shown to be too weak to order his own house.
With war brewing, Antioch settled for a truce. Raymond of Tripoli did likewise, both for himself and on behalf of his wife's lands in Galilee. Guy's advisors finally persuaded him to make up with Raymond, and the Count at last agreed. The Kingdom had no outside friends, but at least it was united internally for the battle that would certainly come the next year.
Guy stripped the Kingdom to make ready for Saladin. Bohemond sent troops down from the north. By June, Guy had twelve hundred knights at his command, one of the largest forces the Latins ever fielded. Saladin assembled his army at the border and set out on June 26, 1187. He crossed the Jordan River on July 1st. On July 2nd, he attacked Tiberias. The city fell immediately, but the garrison, led by Count Raymond's wife Eschiva, held out in the citadel. Raymond, of course, was with the army.
Raymond counselled caution from the beginning, using much the same arguments he had four years previously. The Franks should avoid battle, keep their army in the field in well-defended positions. Reynald of Châtillon called Raymond a coward and accused him of being a friend to the Muslims. Grand Master of the Temple, Gerard, echoed him. Guy gave the order to march.