When King Richard I battled for Jerusalem in the III Crusade after the defeat of Guy of Lusignan by Saladin who took the Holy Land after the loss at the Battle of Hattin, the Armenian knights of Cilicia rode to fight alongside the Christian rulers of the time being the final line between the Christian world and the Muslim invasion. Templars and Hospitallers, Knights of England were supported by Armenian nobility, a knighthood far older and truly Christian, as eternal emblem of love for Christ unto death, riding for Christendom, for Jerusalem. At each battle, from Acre to Arsuf and to Jaffa, the Armenian nobility were present to bring victory against Muslim invasion. However, in the end, King Richard I choosing to agree to terms of a treaty, did not invade the Holy Land having marched to Jerusalem.
The Knights of Armenia and of Cilicia returned home, victorious yet unfulfilled, though through unwavering support accomplished their goal, to be present as support and as unbreakable, unwavering, and undefeated girding for the knights and Kings of Europe.
The Armenian nobility having secured Jerusalem in some regard, Saladin and his descendants did not penetrate Europe as they desired, and never set foot on soil defended by Armenian knights and nobility, securing Europe and Armenia forever to this day being Christian and not Muslim.
Saladin was defeated for his dynasty lasted less than ten years until he died of a cold, and his brothers’ even less until Mamluks invaded as Islam tore itself apart from within.