The Franks’ commander was Balian of Ibelin, one of the very
best of the Frankish knights. He fought bravely at Hattin, and
after he escaped from the battle, he went to Saladin. He asked
the Muslim commander, ‘Can I take my wife and children out
of Jerusalem to Tyre where they will be safe? I promise that I’ll
never carry my sword against you again, and that I’ll only stay
one night in the town.’
Saladin said, ‘I’m sure that you’re worried about your wife
in these difficult times.
Go at once and get her.
I know that you’ll keep
your promise not to fight
my men.’
But when Balian
arrived in Jerusalem, all
the people there said,
‘You must stay here and
be our commander. How
can we fight the Muslims
without someone to tell
us what to do?’
‘I can’t! I gave my word
to Saladin that I wouldn’t
fight against him. I can’t
break my promise,’ Balian replied.
The men of the church said that it wasn’t wrong to break a
promise to a Muslim, but Balian was a man of honour. He wrote
to Saladin and said:
The people of Jerusalem have asked for my
help as their commander. What shall I do?