From Military Victories to Diplomacy: The Relations of the Ayyubid Ruler al-Malik al- ‘Ādil with the Franks
Abstract
This study comprehensively analyzes the relations of al-Malik al-‘Ādil (d. 1218), one of the prominent rulers of the Ayyūbid State, with the Franks. During the period he served as the deputy (nā’ib) of Egypt for his elder brother Ṣalāḥ al-Dīn al-Ayyūbī (1169–1193), al-Malik al-‘Ādil undertook military, logistical, and diplomatic roles in the struggle against the Franks by utilizing the resources of Egypt. He played an active role in critical operations such as the destruction of the fortress of Bayt al-Aḥzān, the siege of Beirut, the Red Sea victories, the Battle of Ḥaṭṭīn, and the conquest of Jerusalem. The negotiations he conducted with the King of England, Richard the Lionheart, during the Third Crusade demonstrate his diplomatic skills. As a ruler who experienced the devastation of wars during his deputyship, al-Malik al-‘Ādil prioritized the economic stability and strengthening of the state after ascending the throne and adopted a diplomacy-oriented policy in order not to trigger new Crusades. The Treaty of 1205 constitutes a concrete example of this approach. The primary objective of the study is to comprehensively analyze the evolution of the policies pursued by al-Malik al-‘Ādil against the Franks. In the study, the historical analysis method, in which data from primary sources of Ayyūbid history such as ‘Imād al-Dīn al-Iṣfahānī, Ibn Shaddād, and Ibn al-Athīr are compared with data obtained from Western sources, has been employed.
Keywords
Ethical Statement
References
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Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Medieval Age Archeology
Journal Section
Research Article
Authors
Publication Date
April 30, 2026
Submission Date
September 1, 2025
Acceptance Date
December 14, 2025
Published in Issue
Year 2026 Volume: 14 Number: 1