Robert of St. Albans
Robert of St. Albans | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1150s/60s England |
| Died | c. 1187 Jerusalem, Ayyubid Sultanate |
| Allegiance |
|
| Service | Saladin's Army |
| Years of service | c. 1180 – 1187 |
| Rank | Knights Templar, later Army officer of Saladin |
| Known for | English crusader who, in 1185, converted to Islam and led an army against the Crusaders |
Robert of St. Albans (died 1187) was an English templar knight who converted to Islam from Christianity in 1185. In 1187, he led an army for Saladin against the Crusaders during the Battle of Hattin as well as the reconquest of Jerusalem, which was at the time under the control of the Franks.
Robert eventually married the niece of Saladin, but was killed shortly after outside Jerusalem.
Robert's conversion to Islam caused significant dismay among the Christians and sparked ill-will toward the Knights Templar in general.