The siege of Shobek
In response to the provocation from Raynald de Chatillon, Saladin invaded the kingdom of Jerusalem in 1187. After capturing Jerusalem itself, he laid siege to Shobak Castle and the other Crusader castles in Jordan.
It is said that because of the steep sided hill on which the castle stands, Saladin was unable to use his siege engines, and resorted to starving out the inhabitants. Water supply was not a problem, as deep shafts (which still exist), with long flights of (350) steps, had been dug deep down below the castle to provide it with a permanent water supply. But food was another matter.
Most of the Crusader castles held huge supplies of food, however it could not last for ever. It is said that eventually the defenders sold their wives and children in exchange for food, and that some of them eventually went blind from lack of salt. Finally, after almost two years the castle finally fell to Saladin's troops, in May of 1189.
(The defenders' families were returned to them.)
The siege of Shobek
In response to the provocation from Raynald de Chatillon, Saladin invaded the kingdom of Jerusalem in 1187. After capturing Jerusalem itself, he laid siege to Shobak Castle and the other Crusader castles in Jordan.
It is said that because of the steep sided hill on which the castle stands, Saladin was unable to use his siege engines, and resorted to starving out the inhabitants. Water supply was not a problem, as deep shafts (which still exist), with long flights of (350) steps, had been dug deep down below the castle to provide it with a permanent water supply. But food was another matter.
Most of the Crusader castles held huge supplies of food, however it could not last for ever. It is said that eventually the defenders sold their wives and children in exchange for food, and that some of them eventually went blind from lack of salt. Finally, after almost two years the castle finally fell to Saladin's troops, in May of 1189.
(The defenders' families were returned to them.)