Battle of the Horns of Hattin

The Christian army of Jerusalem has set out for Tiberius in the early morning hours of July 3rd, 1187 AD, leaving in their wake their well-watered camp for the dust and dryness of the desert air. They carried with them that Holy relic so many would die for in coming battles, the "True Cross."

As they made the trek in the hot desert sun they found no water to aid their thirst and in the heavy armor must have been near exhaustion. By evening of July 3rd, the crusading army arrived at a plateau below the Horns of Hattin, which jutted into the air 100 feet above them. Even at this resting spot the Templars and other crusading warriors found no water, as the well was dry and the only stream was blocked.

Fear was among the men and a foreboding sense of doom swept the Crusaders...

Above: Lyle, in the role of King Guy of Jerusalem, ponders the disposition of Crusader and Saracen forces at the start of the game.

Above: Rod, a Saracen cavalry commander, prepares his first move.

Above: Dismounted knights protect King Guy and the True Cross.

Above: Bill, a Crusader general, considers his options as the Saracen cavalry charges toward the Crusader camp between the Horns of Hattin.

Above: Saracen cavalry commander Rod sends his Saracen light horse on a flanking maneuver.

Above: Chris, in the role of Saladin, orders his archers to fire on Christian crossbowmen.

Above: Muslim cavalry and light horse duel with Christian knights

Above: Crusaders Lyle and Bill carefully check the legality of a Saracen move.

Above: General Rod prepares to move his Saracen light horse.

Above: Crusader commanders plan their next move while the Saracen cavalry general looks on.

Bill decides what to do with the knights that form the right wing of the Crusader defensive line while Saladin (Chris) looks on.

The final disposition of most of the forces. The Crusader camp and the True Cross (off the right side of the photo) are successfully defended against the Saracen onslaught. It was a close game, but ultimately Saracen losses were too dear and Saladin was forced to withdraw. Despite heavy losses of their own, including some of their best knights, the Crusaders are now free to continue their march to break the seige of Tiberias and slake their thirst in the Sea of Galilee.

Text and Images Copyright 2005 by David H. Allen

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