1115 A.D.

Baldwin I, the Crusader king of Jerusalem, erects a huge castle at Shawbak on a high mountain in Jordan in order to dominate the area, naming it Le Crac de Montreal.

1142 A.D.

Karak Castle is built by Payen le Boutellier. It is named Crac de Moab or simply le Crac by the Franks. It was a very important castle to Crusaders due to its position as a watch centre of the Islamic army movements.

1184 A.D.

The Ayyubid army leader Usama bin Mungidh erects Ajlun castle to counter the Crusader castle of Belvoir (Kawkab al-Hawa) to the west. In August of this year the Ayyubids besiege Karak Castle under the leadership of Salah al-Din (Saladin) the dynasty’s founder.

1187 A.D.

On 5 July Salah al-Din (Saladin) wins a great victory at Hittin over the Christian Frankish troops; he went on to destroy the power of the Crusaders in Palestine and Jordan.

1189 A.D.

The Ayyubids capture the Crusader castles of Karak and Shawbak, ending the Crusaders’ rule in Jordan.

1229 - 1249 A.D.

The Ayyubid king al-Nasir Dawud establishes an emirate at Karak; he erects a hospital (bimaristan) to treat the sick and to teach medicine.

1247 A.D.

The Ayyubid king al-Salih Najm al-Din orders the construction of a congregational mosque at Ajlun; it seems not to have had a minaret.

1260 A.D.

On 3 September the Battle of ‘Ain Jalut takes place in Palestine between the Muslim Mamluks and the nomadic tribes of Mongols who defeated the Islamic world in the 13th century, destroying cities and killing citizens. The Mamluk victory in this battle stops the march of the Mongol army in Jordan and Palestine.

1262 A.D.

The Mamluk Sultan al-Zahir Baybars captures Karak castle from the Ayyubids, putting an end to Ayyubid rule there; he rebuilt some of its towers and transferred his wealth to it.

1311 A.D.

A madrasa for teaching Shafi’i rites (one of four Sunni rites in Islam) is established at Karak; King Muhammad ibn Qalawun sent his sons to study at this madrasa.

1328 A.D.

On 4 October a torrential stream destroys the buildings, markets and mosque of Ajlun.

1356 A.D.

The Mamluk Amir Sarghatmish builds a madrasa in Amman; it became the headquarters of Balqa, to teach Hanafi rites (one of the four Sunni rites in Islam).

1395 A.D.

In March several post offices between Cairo and Karak and between Karak and Damascus are erected during the Mamluk sultanate of Barquq.