Saladin on the wireless

Now Saladin is one of those figures who always had a walk on part in the stories I was told about the Third Crusade, so here is an interesting profile, from the series You're Dead To Me on Radio 4

The army of Saladin from a manuscript, 1337

The programmes combine scholary research with an element of humour.

"You might have learned about Richard the Lionheart in school (or from Disney’s Robin Hood), but how much do you know about his opponent, the legendary Saladin?

Why does Saladin have such an enduring reputation as a good guy? 

Host Greg Jenner is joined by comedian Maria Shehata and historian Professor Jonathan Phillips. It’s history for people who don’t like history!

Produced by Dan Morelle

Scripted and researched by Emma Nagouse, assisted by Emily Greenwell.

A Muddy Knees Media production for BBC Radio 4"

Picture; Français l'armée de Saladin - Guillaume de Tyr, Histoire d'Outremer, Manuscrit enluminé sur parchemin,Paris, 1337, from Saladin, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saladin

*Saladin, Your Dead To Me, https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p07r6hjz

Melisende, Queen of Jerusalem ........one to listen to on the wireless

Now, In Our Time, on Radio 4 is one of my favourite programmes to listen on the wireless, and today's was fascinating.

"Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the most powerful woman in the Crusader states in the century after the First Crusade. Melisende (1105-61) was born and raised after the mainly Frankish crusaders had taken Jerusalem from the Fatimids, and her father was King of Jerusalem. She was married to Fulk from Anjou, on the understanding they would rule together, and for 30 years she vied with him and then their son as they struggled to consolidate their Frankish state in the Holy Land.

With, Natasha Hodgson, Senior Lecturer in Medieval History and Director of the Centre for the Study of Religion and Conflict at Nottingham Trent University, Katherine Lewis, Senior Lecturer in History at the University of Huddersfield, and, Danielle Park, Visiting Lecturer at Royal Holloway, University of London

Producer: Simon Tillotson"

Picture; the coronation of Fulk with Melisende, from Livre d'Eracles, Guillaume de Tyr (1130?-1186)
Source: Bibliothèque nationale de France, from the sleeve notes

*Melisende, Queen of Jerusalem, In Our Time, BBC Radio 4, https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000bg2y