EPISODE · May 17, 2026 · 6 MIN
Saladin's Spies: The Intelligence Network That Won Jerusalem
from Saladin: The Muslim Leader Who Defeated Crusaders — Fexingo History · host Fexingo
How did Saladin know where and when to strike during the Crusades? This episode of Fexingo History peels back the curtain on the Ayyubid intelligence network that gave Saladin a decisive edge against the Frankish states. Drawing on the chronicles of Baha ad-Din ibn Shaddad and Ibn al-Athir, Lucas and Luna explore the role of the barid (postal-intelligence system), the use of carrier pigeons, the network of spies planted in Crusader cities like Acre and Tyre, and the critical intelligence that led to the victory at Hattin. They discuss specific agents like the spy who warned Saladin of Reynald de Châtillon's caravan raid, and the double agents who fed misinformation to the Franks. The episode also covers the controversial execution of Templar and Hospitaller prisoners at Hattin, framed as a security measure to prevent future espionage. No rehashing of the siege of Jerusalem or the Battle of Arsuf — this is a fresh look at the unseen war of information that shaped the Third Crusade. #Saladin #IntelligenceNetwork #Barid #CarrierPigeons #Hattin #Espionage #Spies #BahaAdDin #IbnAlAthir #Templars #Hospitallers #ReynaldDeChatillon #ThirdCrusade #Ayyubid #Frankish #History #FexingoHistory #MedievalWarfare Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo
What this episode covers
How did Saladin know where and when to strike during the Crusades? This episode of Fexingo History peels back the curtain on the Ayyubid intelligence network that gave Saladin a decisive edge against the Frankish states. Drawing on the chronicles of Baha ad-Din ibn Shaddad and Ibn al-Athir, Lucas and Luna explore the role of the barid (postal-intelligence system), the use of carrier pigeons, the network of spies planted in Crusader cities like Acre and Tyre, and the critical intelligence that led to the victory at Hattin. They discuss specific agents like the spy who warned Saladin of Reynald de Châtillon's caravan raid, and the double agents who fed misinformation to the Franks. The episode also covers the controversial execution of Templar and Hospitaller prisoners at Hattin, framed as a security measure to prevent future espionage. No rehashing of the siege of Jerusalem or the Battle of Arsuf — this is a fresh look at the unseen war of information that shaped the Third Crusade. #Saladin #IntelligenceNetwork #Barid #CarrierPigeons #Hattin #Espionage #Spies #BahaAdDin #IbnAlAthir #Templars #Hospitallers #ReynaldDeChatillon #ThirdCrusade #Ayyubid #Frankish #History #FexingoHistory #MedievalWarfare Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo
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Saladin's Spies: The Intelligence Network That Won Jerusalem
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