Saladin's Siege of Montreal 1189: The Last Crusader Castle

In 1189, while Saladin was besieging Acre, a small Crusader fortress in the desert known as Montreal (Shawbak) held out against his forces. This episode dives into the dramatic story of that siege—the garrison's desperate defense, the role of the Transjordan region, and how this seemingly minor castle became a symbol of resistance. We explore the strategic importance of Montreal, the siege tactics used by Saladin's commander al-Malik al-Adil, and the eventual surrender that marked the end of Christian rule east of the Jordan. Drawing on accounts from Baha al-Din ibn Shaddad and Imad al-Din al-Isfahani, we reveal a lesser-known chapter of the Ayyubid-Crusader conflict that illuminates Saladin's broader campaign to isolate Jerusalem. We also touch on the castle's history, including its construction by the Crusaders in 1115 and its fate after the siege. This episode offers a fresh perspective on the Third Crusade by focusing on a frontier fortress rather than the famous battles of Hattin or Acre. #Saladin #MontrealCastle #Shawbak #CrusaderCastles #SiegeOfMontreal #AlAdil #BahaAlDin #ImadAlDin #Ayyubid #Crusades #Transjordan #Oultrejordain #ThirdCrusade #MedievalWarfare #CastleSiege #History #FexingoHistory #MiddleEast Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo