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.

Battle of Acre

On October 4 Saladin moved to the east of the city to confront Guy?s camp. The crusader army under Guy stood its ground in front of Saladin?s forces. The Christian army consisted of the feudal lords of the kingdom, many smaller contingents of European crusaders, and members of the military orders; the Muslim army consisted of troops from Egypt, Turkestan, Syria, and Mesopotamia.

Related Topics:
October 4 - Military orders - Egypt - Turkestan - Syria - Mesopotamia

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The Muslims lay in a semicircle east of the city facing inwards towards Acre. The crusader army lay in between, with lighty-armed crossbowmen in the first line and the heavy cavalry in second. At the Battle of Arsuf the Christians fought coherently; here the battle began with a disjointed combat between the Templars and Saladin's right wing. The crusaders were so far successful that the enemy had to send reinforcements from other parts of the field. Thus the steady advance of the Christian centre against Saladin's own corps, in which the crossbows prepared the way for the charge of the men-at-arms, met with no great resistance. Saladin?s centre and right flanks were put to flight.

Related Topics:
Crossbow - Cavalry - Battle of Arsuf - Templars

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But the victors scattered to plunder. Saladin rallied his men, and, when the Christians began to retire with their booty, let loose his light horse upon them. No connected resistance was offered, and the Turks slaughtered the fugitives until checked by the fresh troops of the Christian right wing Into this fight Guy's reserve, charged with holding back the Saracens in Acre, was also drawn, and, thus freed, 5000 men sallied out from the town to the northward; uniting with the Saracen right wing, they fell upon the Templars, who suffered severely in their retreat. Gerard de Ridefort, Grand Master of the Templars, was killed. Andrew of Brienne was also killed and Conrad had to be rescued by Guy. In the end the crusaders repulsed the relieving army, but only at the cost of 7000 men. Saladin could not push them back without another pitched battle, and his victory remained incomplete.

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