Saladin's Forgotten Fleet: Naval War Against the Crusaders

We often picture Saladin's campaigns as land battles across deserts and hills, but what about the sea? In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the little-known naval dimension of Saladin's war against the Crusader states. From the capture of pirate bases on the Red Sea to the failed attempt to break the Siege of Acre by sea in 1189–1191, we uncover how Saladin built a fleet from scratch, recruited sailors from the Maghreb and Egypt, and confronted the superior Frankish navies. Key figures include al-Malik al-Adil, who oversaw coastal defenses, and the forgotten admiral Lu'lu' al-Yamani. We also discuss the strategic importance of controlling ports like Tyre, Acre, and Jaffa, and how Saladin's naval limitations influenced his land strategy. This episode draws on accounts by Ibn al-Athir, Baha ad-Din ibn Shaddad, and Imad ad-Din al-Isfahani to reveal a side of the sultan seldom told. #Saladin #NavalWarfare #Crusades #Ayyubid #MedievalNavy #Acre #RedSea #Lu'lu'al-Yamani #Ibn al-Athir #Baha ad-Din ibn Shaddad #Imad ad-Din al-Isfahani #Al-Adil #Jaffa #Tyre #Maghreb #Franks #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo