Siege of Acre

The Siege of Acre was the most important event of the Third Crusade, lasting from August 28, 1189 until July 12, 1191, and the first time in the history of the crusades that the king was compelled to personally see to the defense of the Holy Land. It was also the deadliest event of the whole period of the crusades, for the Christian ruling class of the east.

Aftermath

The crusader army marched south, with the sea to their right and Saladin?s army following them to their left. On September 7, they met at the Battle of Arsuf, north of Jaffa, in which Saladin was defeated. Richard captured Jaffa on September 10, but throughout the remainder of 1191 and into the summer of 1192, he was unable to realize his ultimate goal of recapturing Jerusalem. Meanwhile it was becoming clear that his brother John Lackland was attempting to usurp the throne in England, so Richard arranged for a treaty with Saladin, and the Third Crusade came to an end. On the way home, he was taken prisoner by Leopold, and did not arrive back in England until 1194.

Related Topics:
September 7 - Battle of Arsuf - Jaffa - September 10 - John Lackland

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The Kingdom of Jerusalem was now relatively secure, with its new capital at Acre, from which a narrow strip along the Mediterranean coast was ruled. By 1291 all of this had been conquered as well, with Acre falling to the Mamluks that year.

Related Topics:
1291 - Mamluk

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