The Battle of Hattin

Abstract

Abstract : The study reviews the Battle of Hattin to determine why the army of the Crusaders was decisively defeated. The Battle of Hattin was one of the most critical battles of the Middle Ages. The battle resulted in the virtual destruction of the Crusader States and directly led to the Third Crusade. The study begins with a brief overview of the political economic and religious motivations behind the Crusades. A brief chronological history of significant events is provided to bridge the roughly ninety years from the foundation of the Crusader States until the Battle of Hattin. A description of the Crusader and Moslem military organizations equipment, strategy, and tactics is provided to give a framework to examine the actions of both parties prior to and during the Battle of Hattin. The study concludes with an examination of the Crusader decision to fight and whether that decision was in accordance with the strategic objectives of the Crusader States. The study presents the battle as an example of poor strategic and tactical decision making.