History Specials — Season 1, Episode 17: The Crusades: Crescent & The Cross, Part 2
Documentary • 30 min • 1 season, 32 episodes • ★ 8.0/10
Episode synopsis
In 1099 the Crusaders took Jerusalem in the bloodiest of battles, wrenching it back from the Muslims for the first time in 400 years. But, over the decades that followed, the Islamic world dreamed of fighting back. In 1144 the Muslims seized the city of Edessa from the Christians. The news reverberated back to Europe, and the Pope called for a Second Crusade. But this Crusade was a disaster. It failed to expand the Christian empire, and strengthened the resolve of the Muslims. Under their great leader, Saladin, the Muslim swept through the Christian Kingdom taking town after town. In 1187 he took Jerusalem. This shocked the west into responding, with a Third Crusade. Led by Richard the Lionheart they defeated Saladin and marched on Jerusalem. Richard failed to take the city and the Third Crusade failed.
About History Specials
From the 4.5 billion-year epic of planet Earth, to the centuries-old prophecies of Nostradamus, to the hunt for the man who killed Abraham Lincoln, History Specials brings together the channel's most watched and acclaimed historical programs. History captures the grand sweep of our past with wit, intelligence, and enthusiasm, in programs covering critical turning points and fascinating cultural phenomena from the Dark Ages to Sherman's March, the comets to Columbus. Cutting-edge CGI recreates ancient battle scenes, and expert interviews shed light on some of history's greatest mysteries. See the past and present wonders of the world come together in this captivating collection — the source for all the fascinating history you want to know.