It seems to me that Saladin's soldiers shoud have killed Richard when they had the chance. War is not a sport, even though some people treat it like one.

If they had killed Richard in that battle, the crusaders would probably have folded up their tents and went home, winning the war for Saladin and saving the lives of countless soldiers on both their side and the crusader side.

I think it illustrates the power of the concept of honor at the time and strongly contrasts with the relative honorlessness of our own times. Even knowing that I would be considered an honorless dog on par with Bad King John from their point of view, it's hard for me to get my head around sparing an enemy leader when you had the chance to win the war in your hands.