Walter Scott, The Talisman, the Crusades, Richard I of England and Saladin: Myths, Legends and History
by Ibn Warraq
Part 17
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The real incident is even more disagreeable, an unpleasant piece of casuistry. The scene takes place soon after Saladin’s victory over the Crusaders, when he took many prisoners, including King Guy and Prince Reynald of Chatillon. BahÄ” al-DÄ«n Ibn ShaddÄd continues the story: “Then [Saladin] summoned King Guy, his brother and Prince Reynald. He handed the king a drink of iced julep, from which he drank, being dreadfully thirsty, and he then passed some of it to Prince Reynald. The sultan [Saladin] said to the interpreter, “˜Tell the King, “˜You are the one giving him a drink. I have not given him any drink.– According to the fine custom of the Arabs and their noble ways, if a prisoner took food or drink from whoever had captured him, his life was safe. His intention was to follow these noble ways”¦. [Saladin] said to [Reynald], “˜Here I am having asked for victory through Muhammad, and God has given me victory over you.” He offered him Islam but he refused. The sultan then drew his scimitar and struck him, severing his arm at the shoulder. Those present finished him off and God speedily sent his soul to Hell-fire. His body was taken and thrown down at the door of the tent.” [1]
Far from showing each other respect, Saladin and Richard in reality accused each other of bad faith, which led to bloody reprisals on both sides. Here is the historical outcome of the Fall of Acre. After a long siege, a deal was struck on 12 July, 1191 whereby the Muslims surrendered to the Franks the city and its contents, though the lives of the Muslims within were to be spared. Furthermore, “the captive garrison would then be held hostage as guarantors against the fulfillment of further punitive terms: the payment of 200,000 gold dinars; the return of the relic of the True Cross captured at Hattin; and the release of some 1,500 Frankish prisoners “˜of common, unremarkable background”, as well as 100 to 200 named captives of rank.” [2]
[1] BahÄ” al-DÄ«n Ibn ShaddÄd, The Rare and Excellent History of Saladin, Trans. By D. S. Richards, Burlington, VT: 2002, p. 75.
[2] Thomas Asbridge, The Crusades, New York, 2010, p. 443.
To be continued.
Ibn Warraq is the author of numerous books, including Why the West Is Best and Why I Am Not A Muslim.