The siege of Jerusalem lasted from 20 September to 2 October 1187, when Balian of Ibelin surrendered the city to Saladin. Earlier that summer, Saladin had defeated the kingdom's army and conquered several cities. Balian was charged with organizing a defense. The city was full of refugees but had few soldiers. Despite this fact the defenders managed to repulse several attempts by Saladin's army to take the city by storm. Balian bargained with Saladin to buy safe passage for many, and the city was peacefully surrendered with limited bloodshed. Though Jerusalem fell, it was not the end of the Kingdom of Jerusalem, as the capital shifted first to Tyre and later to Acre after the Third Crusade.
Sultan of Egypt Saladin captures Jerusalem from the Crusaders
The siege of Jerusalem lasted from 20 September to 2 October 1187, when Balian of Ibelin surrendered the city to Saladin.
Historical Significance
The siege of Jerusalem lasted from 20 September to 2 October 1187, when Balian of Ibelin surrendered the city to Saladin.
Key People
Events Before
Battle at Danoura: Yoshitsune Minamoto's fleet beats the Taira during Japan's Genpei War
Battle at Danoura: Yoshitsune Minamoto's fleet beats the Taira during Japan's Genpei War
Battle at Dan-no-ura: Major sea battle in Japan's Genpei War, Minamoto clan led by Minamoto no Yoshitsune defeats the Ta
Battle at Dan-no-ura: Major sea battle in Japan's Genpei War, Minamoto clan led by Minamoto no Yoshitsune defeats the Taira clan
The cave city of Vardzia is consecrated by Queen Tamar of Georgia
The cave city of Vardzia is consecrated by Queen Tamar of Georgia
Byzantine nobleman Isaac II Angelos kills courtier Stephanus Hagiochristophorites, triggering a revolt and the overthrow
Byzantine nobleman Isaac II Angelos kills courtier Stephanus Hagiochristophorites, triggering a revolt and the overthrow of Emperor Andronikos I Komnenos, placing Isaac on the throne
Henry VI, the son and heir of the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa, weds Constance of Sicily
Henry VI, the son and heir of the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa, weds Constance of Sicily
Events After
Antoku ascends the throne as the 81st Emperor of Japan
Antoku ascends the throne as the 81st Emperor of Japan
Holy Roman Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa and 100,000 crusaders depart Regensburg for the Third Crusade
The Third Crusade (1189–1192) was an attempt led by King Philip II of France, King Richard I of England, and Emperor Frederick Barbarossa to reconquer the Holy Land following the capture of Jerusalem...
Third Crusade: Crusaders begin the Siege of Acre under Guy of Lusignan
Guy of Lusignan (1150 – 1194) was king of Jerusalem, first as the husband and co-ruler of Queen Sibylla from 1186 to 1190, then as disputed ruler from 1190 to 1192.
Riots in Lynn, Norfolk (England) spread to Norwich
In England, the High Middle Ages spanned the period from the Norman Conquest in 1066 to the death of King John, considered by some historians to be the last Angevin king of England, in 1216. The...
Gerard de Ridefort, grandmaster of the Knights Templar since 1184, is killed in the Siege of Acre
Gerard de Ridefort, grandmaster of the Knights Templar since 1184, is killed in the Siege of Acre
More from the 1180s
Henry VI, the son and heir of the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa, weds Constance of Sicily
Henry VI, the son and heir of the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa, weds Constance of Sicily
BC The Greeks enter Troy using the Trojan Horse (traditional date)
The Trojan War was a legendary conflict in Greek mythology that took place around the twelfth or thirteenth century BC.
Philip II of France (14) marries first wife Isabella of Hainault (10) at Bapaume
Philip II (21 August 1165 – 14 July 1223), also known as Philip Augustus (French: Philippe Auguste), was King of France from 1180 to 1223.
Holy Roman Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa and 100,000 crusaders depart Regensburg for the Third Crusade
The Third Crusade (1189–1192) was an attempt led by King Philip II of France, King Richard I of England, and Emperor Frederick Barbarossa to reconquer the Holy Land following the capture of Jerusalem...
Frequently Asked Questions
- What happened on October 2, 1187?
- The siege of Jerusalem lasted from 20 September to 2 October 1187, when Balian of Ibelin surrendered the city to Saladin. Earlier that summer, Saladin had defeated the kingdom's army and conquered several cities. Balian was charged with organizing a defense.
- Why is Sultan of Egypt Saladin captures Jerusalem from the Crusaders significant?
- The siege of Jerusalem lasted from 20 September to 2 October 1187, when Balian of Ibelin surrendered the city to Saladin.
- Who was involved in Sultan of Egypt Saladin captures Jerusalem from the Crusaders?
- Key figures include Saladin (Founder of the Ayyubid dynasty).