Robert of St. Albans
Robert of St. Albans | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1150s/60s England |
| Died | c. 1187 Jerusalem, Ayyubid Sultanate |
| Allegiance |
|
| Branch | Saladin's Army |
| Years of service | c. 1180 – 1187 |
| Rank | Knights Templar, later Army officer of Saladin |
| Known for | English crusader who, in 1185, converted to Islam and led an army against the Crusaders |
Robert of St. Albans (died 1187)[1] was an English templar knight who converted to Islam from Christianity in 1185.[2] In 1187, he led an army for Saladin[3] against the Crusaders during the Battle of Hattin as well as the reconquest of Jerusalem,[4] which was at the time under the control of the Franks.[5]
Robert eventually married the niece of Saladin,[1] but was killed shortly after outside Jerusalem. It stated that: “He devastated the country around Nablus and was killed outside Jerusalem in 1187.”[6]
Robert's conversion to Islam caused significant dismay among the Christians and sparked ill-will toward the Knights Templar in general.[7]
See also
References
- ^ a b Edbury, Peter W. M; Phillips, Jonathan P.; Riley-Smith, Jonathan Simon Christopher. The Experience of Crusading. Vol. 1. p. 195.
- ^ Siedschlag, Beatrice Nina. English Participation in the Crusades, 1150-1220. p. 49.
- ^ Freeman, Edward Augustus. The Reign of William Rufus and the Accession of Henry the First. Vol. 2. p. 123.
- ^ Childress, David Hatcher. Pirates and the Lost Templar Fleet. p. 94.
- ^ Daraul, Arkon. A History of Secret Societies. p. 46.
- ^ Edbury, Peter. The Experience of Crusading. Vol. 2. Cambridge University Press. p. 195.
- ^ Keightley, Thomas. Secret Societies of the Middle Ages. pp. 153–154.