The castle of Beaufort sits on top of a hill just to south east of the the town of Arnoun in Lebanon and became an important stronghold for both the Crusaders and Muslims during the years of the Crusades. The eastern side of the castle is protected by steep cliffs and its western side was protected by a ditch carved into the clifftop. The castle was captured by Saladin in April of 1190 after a long siege from Raynald of Sidon. Reynald had offered to hand over the castle to Saladin on the condition that he had three months to remove his family to a place of safety. At the end of the three months Saladin expected the castle to be handed over but found that Raynald had used the time to refortify and supply the castle against a siege. Raynald mde the mistake of begging for more time and was held hostage by Saladin. Raynald's men finally gave up the castle for the release of Raynald. In 1240 the castle passed into the hands of the Crusaders after a treaty was signed and in 1260 was bought by the Knights Templars. The castle was surrendered to the Mamelukes in 1268.