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 of St. Albans | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1150s/60s England |
| Died | c. 1187 Jerusalem, Ayyubid Sultanate |
| Allegiance | |
| Service/ | 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 eventually married the niece of Saladin,[6] but was killed shortly after outside Jerusalem.[7]
Robert's conversion to Islam caused significant dismay among the Christians and sparked ill-will toward the Knights Templar in general.[8]
See also edit
References edit
- ^ The experience of crusading, Volume 1 By Jonathan Simon Christopher Riley-Smith, Peter W. Edbury, Jonathan P. Phillips, pg.195
- ^ English participation in the crusades, 1150-1220, by Beatrice Nina Siedschlag, pg.49
- ^ The reign of William Rufus and the accession of Henry the First, Volume 2 By Edward Augustus Freeman, pg. 123
- ^ Pirates and the Lost Templar Fleet, By David Hatcher Childress pg. 94
- ^ A history of secret societies By Arkon Daraul, pg. 46
- ^ The experience of crusading, Volume 1 By Jonathan Simon Christopher Riley-Smith, Peter W. Edbury, Jonathan P. Phillips, pg.195
- ^ Edbury, Peter. The Experience of Crusading, Volume 2. Cambridge University Press. p. 195.
- ^ Secret Societies of the Middle Ages, pg. 153-154, by Thomas Keightley
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