Raynald of Châtillon

Timeline

1. 1176Kerak · OutremerRaynald was released in 1176 after 17 years of imprisonment in Aleppo, married Stephanie, the wealthy heiress of Outremer, gained the two fortresses of Kerak and Montreal, and received Hebron from Baldwin IV, becoming one of the wealthiest barons of the kingdom.
2. 1177Outremer · JordanRaynald held Kerak and Montreal, controlling the overland trade route from Egypt to Syria, and used them as bases to harass passing Muslim caravans, creating long-term friction with Saladin.
3. 1177Montgisard · PalestineBaldwin IV appointed Raynald as one of the army commanders; at the Battle of Montgisard he was responsible for commanding the cavalry flank, coordinating with the king's surprise attack to rout Saladin's army, achieving the crusaders' greatest field victory over Saladin.
4. 1178–1179Kerak · OutremerRaynald and William of Montferrat and others granted large tracts of land to Rodrigo Alvarez to establish the Knights of Mountjoy and strengthen the Outremer defensive line, while continuing to pressure Muslim trade routes from his castles.
5. 1180Jerusalem · PalestineIn 1180 Baldwin IV made peace with Saladin; Raynald's provocative raiding policy clashed with factions at court such as Raymond III who advocated caution, laying the groundwork for his later larger-scale caravan raids and wars.