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.

The kings at Acre

Philip arrived on April 20, 1191, and Richard on June 8, after he had (rather thoughtlessly considering the situation at Acre) used the opportunity to conquer Cyprus along the way. Philip had used the time before Richard?s arrival to build siege engines, and now that stronger leadership from Europe had arrived, it was the city and not the Christian camp that was besieged. When Richard arrived, he sought a meeting with Saladin, and an armistice of three-days was agreed upon so that the meeting could take place. However, both Richard and Philip fell ill and the meeting did not take place. Patriarch Heraclius died around this time as well.

Related Topics:
April 20 - June 8 - Cyprus

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The siege machines broke holes into the walls of Acre, but every new breach led to an attack from Saladin?s army, giving the garrison of Acre an opportunity to repair the damage while the Christians were distracted. On July 1, Philip of Alsace died in the camp, which was a major crisis for the French king, since Philip, the Count of Flanders and Vermandois and one of the most important men in the king?s retinue, had no heirs and settling his inheritance was an urgent matter, yet a very difficult one so far away from France.

Related Topics:
July 1 - Philip of Alsace - Count of Flanders - Vermandois

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On July 3 a sufficiently large breach was again created in the walls, but the Christian attack was repelled. On July 4 the city offered its surrender, but Richard rejected the conditions. This time Saladin did not make a large-scale attack on the Christian camp. On July 7 the city sent an embassy to Saladin asking for assistance one last time, and threatened to surrender if he did not help. On July 11 there was one final battle, and on July 12 the city once more offered terms of surrender to the crusaders, who found their offer acceptable this time. Saladin was not involved in the negotiations, but accepted the surrender. The Christians entered the city and the Muslim garrison was taken into captivity.

Related Topics:
July 3 - July 4 - July 7 - July 11 - July 12

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Leopold of Austria left shortly after the capture of the city, after quarrelling with Richard: as leader of the German contingent, he had demanded the same position as Philip and Richard, but had been rejected and his flag torn down from the ramparts of Acre. These actions would have dire consequences for Richard, as he was later taken prisoner by Leopold on the way back from the crusade in 1193, and would have to be ransomed for an enormous price. On July 31, Philip also returned home, to settle the succession in Vermandois and Flanders, and Richard was left solely in charge of the Christian forces.

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