Against the Odds

The Battle of the Springs of Cresson was a devastating and perplexing battle in the history of the Crusader States. Its proximity to the Battle of Hattin, which occurred a month later with consequences that were more keenly felt both within the Holy Land and Europe more generally, has resulted in Cresson being overlooked. Nevertheless, the events of 1 May 1187 were born from the political challenges faced by the Kingdom of Jerusalem and served as a portent for the events that came to define the Crusader States in the late 12th century.