Outremer
The Horns of Hattin
The army march on July 3rd. They moved through desert hills where there was no water. The soldiers brought none with them, evidently thinking to replenish at Tiberias. But Saladin's spies had kept him well informed. He moved his army up to a small pass only a couple of miles from Tiberias, at a place called the Horns of Hattin. The day was ferociously hot and the Muslims harassed the Christians every step of the way. Some of the soldiers urged Guy to fight his way through to the lake, but he decided to camp for the night when the Templars said they could go no further that day.
Guy set up camp on the slope of one of the two hills that made up the Horns. There was a well there, but after they had stopped and were hemmed in, they discovered the well was dry. There would be no water and no relief. And in the morning, they would have to fight.
Saladin made his arrangements, anticipating a victory. During the night, his troops set fire to the brush and smoke drifted over the Christian camp, making them even more miserable. At dawn on the 4th, the Muslims attacked.
In Christian infantry tried to move as a single mass toward the lake and water, but they were cut off and slaughtered. The knights formed their own ranks and fought with great courage through the day. In the afternoon, Raymond formed up his own knights and charged, trying to cut a path out, but the Muslims simply let him pass through then formed up again. The Count was now outside the battle, unable to help. Balian of Ibelin and Reynold of Sidon broke out in similar fashion a little later.
King Guy fought well that day. He and his men moved to the top of the hill and defended themselves from there. They fought until literally exhausted. When the Muslims finally gained the summit, they found Guy and his men lying on the ground, unable to move from weakness.
King Guy was captured, as was his brother Amalric, now the Constable of the Kingdom. The Grand Master of the Temple was captured. The Bishop of Acre was killed as were hundreds of knights. The True Cross, which had been borne into battle numerous times, now had fallen into the hands of the Muslims. It was the worst disaster Outremer had ever endured.