meet them with the Egyptian army, and fought the fierce battle of Ascalon, which proved to be disastrous to himself, his army being totally defeated and his life endangered.  After this, however, he was fortunate enough to gain certain minor advantages, and continued to hold his own until a famine broke out in Palestine which compelled him to come to terms with the Crusaders, and two years later a truce was concluded with the King of Jerusalem, and Saladin returned to Egypt.

In the year 576 a.h., he again entered Syria and made war on Kilidj-Arslan, the Seljukide Sultan of Anatolia, and on Leon, King of Armenia, both of whom he forced to come to terms.  Soon after his return, Saladin again left Egypt to prosecute a war with the Crusaders, since it was plain that neither side was desirous of remaining at peace.  Through an incident which had just occurred, the wrath of the Crusaders had been kindled.  A vessel bearing fifteen hundred pilgrims had been wrecked near Damietta, and its passengers captured.  When the King of Jerusalem remonstrated, Saladin replied by complaining of the constant inroads made by Renaud de Chatillon.  This restless warrior undertook an expedition against Eyleh, and for this purpose constructed boats at Kerak and conveyed them on camels to the sea.  But this flotilla was repulsed, and the siege was raised by a fleet sent thither by El-Adil, the brother of Saladin, and his viceroy.  A second expedition against Eyleh was still more unfortunate to the Franks, who were defeated and taken prisoners.  On this occasion the captives were slain in the valley of Mina.  Saladin then threatened Kerak, encamped at Tiberias, and ravaged the territory of the Franks.  He next made a futile attempt to take Beirut.  He was more successful in a campaign against Mesopotamia, which he reduced to submission, with the exception of Mosul.  While absent here, the Crusaders did little except undertake several forays, and Saladin at length returned towards Palestine, winning many victories and conquering Aleppo on the way.  He next ravaged Samaria, and at last received the fealty of the lord of Mosul, though he did not succeed in actually conquering the city.

In the year 1186 war broke out again between Saladin and the Christian hosts.  The sultan had respected a truce which he had made with Baldwin the Leper, King of Jerusalem, but the restless Renaud, who had previously attacked Eyleh, had broken through its stipulations.  His plunder of a rich caravan enraged Saladin, who forthwith sent out orders to all his vassals and lieutenants to prepare for a Holy War.  In the year 1187 he marched from Damascus to Kerak, where he laid close siege to Renaud.  At the same time a large body of cavalry was sent on towards Nazareth under his son El-Afdhal.  They were met by 730 Knights Hospitallers and Templars, aided by a few hundred foot-soldiers.  Inspired by the heroic Jacques de Maille, marshal of the Temple, they defied the large Saracen army.  In the conflict which ensued, the Crusaders immortalised themselves by fighting until only three of their number were left alive, who, after the conflict was over, managed to escape.