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.

Background

After Saladin had decisively defeated the crusaders at the Battle of Hattin on July 4, 1187, he was able to conquer a great part of the Kingdom of Jerusalem with little opposition, among them the cities of Acre and (on October 2) Jerusalem itself. The crusaders afterwards controlled only Tyre, Tripoli, and Antioch, which Saladin likewise attacked in 1188, although unsuccessfully. News of the loss of Jerusalem and Palestine was shocking to Europe, and there was soon demand for a new crusade, called by Pope Gregory VIII in October of 1187 and continued by his successor Pope Clement III.

Related Topics:
Battle of Hattin - July 4 - 1187 - Kingdom of Jerusalem - Acre - October 2 - Jerusalem - Tyre - Tripoli - Antioch - 1188 - Palestine - Europe - Pope Gregory VIII - Pope Clement III

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