In partnership with
By bananaking
What Really Went Down: The Siege of 1187
On October 2, 1187, Sultan Saladin, the medieval king you’d want in your D&D party, captured Jerusalem from the Crusaders—ending nearly 90 years of Christian rule. Picture the scene: Balian of Ibelin, a noble-turned-reluctant-hero, stood in charge with barely enough knights for a field hockey team and thousands of panicked civilians crowding the city walls. Despite desperate attempts, the defense faltered. After some dramatic negotiations, Saladin granted a peaceful surrender—with many Crusaders ransoming themselves and even more destitute residents released by Saladin’s own generosity and that of his commanders.
But first a word from today’s sponsor:
Are you taking advantage of your Amazon Prime perks? Whether you’re already a Prime member or considering signing up, here are 9 Prime member benefits you should be using!
For many of us, free shipping and access to exclusive shows and movies is enough reason to fork over the $14.99 per month to get Prime. But if that hasn't been enough to entice you to join Prime, maybe some lesser-known incentives like free music/podcasts, access to lightning deals, and Whole Foods discounts will tempt you to sign up.
Make sure you're not missing out, and get the most out of your Prime membership!
Hollywood, Video Games & Meme Culture—Saladin’s Big Comeback
Fast forward a few centuries: Saladin becomes a history icon—sometimes a chivalrous hero, sometimes that final-level boss you don’t want to fight.
Ridley Scott’s Kingdom of Heaven turned the siege into an epic cinematic stare-down, reimagining both Saladin and the Crusaders for a blockbuster audience.
Games like Assassin’s Creed and Crusader Kings let players decide if they want to be a medieval legend or just really good at awkward diplomacy.
Online debates? Get ready for some spicy Crusader-vs-Saladin memes.
“Jerusalem is Nothing, Jerusalem is Everything”—The Paradox
Jerusalem is tiny by today’s standards, but as far as symbols go, it’s kind of the galaxy’s gravitational center for Jews, Christians, and Muslims. Everyone wanted it, fought for it, and wrote long letters home about it. Losing Jerusalem was a total “Game Over” for the Crusaders, but for others it was a restoration, a reunion with holy lands, or a PR masterstroke. Saladin’s reputation for mercy—even when he could have “gone full medieval”—became legendary. Spoiler: mercy is always better for a ruler’s Yelp reviews.
Why Historians and Banana Geeks Still Obsess
Saladin wasn’t just swinging swords—he was playing psychological chess, showing mercy when threatened and securing loyalty where he could.
What happened in 1187 still shapes political and spiritual arguments today. That’s how you know it was a big deal.
Modern historians point to this episode as proof that medieval diplomacy could be clever (and just a little bit messy).
Call to Action: Help HistoryGoneBananas Go Bananas-er
Loved this parade of medieval drama and silly punchlines? Want to see more historical memes and deep (banana) peels?
Subscribe to the HistoryGoneBananas newsletter for exclusive content, memes, and wild takes.
Follow us on socials—drop a banana emoji in the comments if you made it this far!
Share this article and help us slip banana peels under history’s feet, one outrageous story at a time.
Peeling back the past…
—bananaking
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Saladin spare so many citizens of Jerusalem?
Saladin realized that mercy was both the wise choice politically and a savvy PR move. Showing restraint avoided destruction of holy sites and won him respect—even among future Christian chroniclers.
Was the surrender really peaceful?
By medieval standards, it was downright wholesome. While ransoms were required, most residents were spared death or enslavement, with many freed by Saladin’s officers and even other Crusader leaders pitching in to pay for the poorest.
What was the downside for the Crusaders?
Uh, pretty much everything—loss of their holy city, mass displacement, and the launch of the Third Crusade by angry kings back in Europe. For historians, though, this sparks a whole new chapter of shifting alliances and game-of-thrones antics.
Does popular media get it right?
Not always! Movies, games, and memes like to spice up the drama, but the basic facts remain: Saladin’s combination of force and mercy left a legacy that’s still debated (and dramatized) today.
Why does Jerusalem matter so much?
It’s considered sacred by Jews, Christians, and Muslims. Control of Jerusalem has been both a spiritual and political prize for millennia—making every conquest or loss a world-shaker.
Ready for more?
Subscribe, follow, and banana-ify your inbox with HistoryGoneBananas!