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For the 17th Day of White History Month we celebrate the leaders of the Third Crusade, Emperor Frederick Barbarossa, King Phillipe Auguste, and Richard the Lionheart!
After the legendary and stunning success of the First Crusade, all of Christendom was awed by the establishment of Christian states in the Holy Lands. Now the task was to defend them against the Islamic world which surrounded them. The defense budgets of these states were so high they dependent on constant charity flowing from across Europe.
In 1174, the greatest Islamic leader, Saladin took power as Sultan of Egypt and Syria. He began campaigning against the Christians who were led by a King Baldwin IV. King Baldwin IV was dying of leprocy which the Muslims saw as a curse for his sins but the Christians viewed as a symbol of divine grace. Regardless of his sickness, Baldwin was resolved to fight until the end. He fought Saladin all across the holy land, personally leading battles.
At the Battle of Montgisard in 1177, 3,000 Christians led by Baldwin defeated 26,000 under the command of Saladin. Eventually Baldwin succumbed to his illness and died, leaving the Crusader states vulnerable. Saladin was able to retake Jerusalem and every city up to Acre. The new King of Jerusalem attempted to retake Acre, while the Pope called a new Crusade. This time the monarchs of Europe would answer the call personally.
Emperor Barbarossa was the most respected ruler in Europe at this time, at 60 years old, he was at the end of his reign and seeking to secure a legacy for his dynasty. He wrote a letter to Saladin in which he claims right over all lands in Egypt and the Levant as the true Roman Emperor and led 20,000 men towards the Holy lands. While crossing through Byzantine territory, a rogue Greek prince Isaac launched raids on and fought skirmishes with Barbarossa's army but was soundly defeated and fled. Isaac would later kidnap Richard the Lionheart's sister, forcing Richard to hunt him down. Isaac was imprisoned in silver shackles "befitting of a prince", after he had begged Richard not to be put in irons.
When setting out for the Siege of Acre, the rival Kings Richard and Phillipe agreed to put aside their differences for the good of Christendom. Phillipe took a red flag with a White cross while Richard took a White flag with a red cross, which became the flag of England. Richard was by far the most interested in taking the cross, much preferring honorable battle to politics. He was perhaps the greatest fighter of his age, leading several battles from the vanguard, earning him the moniker Lionheart. To fund the Crusade, Richard sold most of his titles and holdings, joking he would have sold London too if he could've found a buyer.
Entering Anatolia in 1190, the Emperor Barbarossa won 2 major battles against the Turks. At Philomelion 2,000 Crusaders beat 10,000 Turks, killing 5,000. At Iconium the two main armies met, with Barbarossa heavily outnumbered. There they cut down the remaining Turk forces. Crossing the Saleph River, seen as the dividing line between Anatolia and the Holy lands, Barbarossa died of unknown causes, likely due to his age. He fell from his horse into the river. Many men departed for home, seeing this as a dark omen. A large contingent continued to join the Siege of Acre, eventually founding the Knights Hospitaller, a volunteer force that protected Pilgrims to the Holy lands.
Richard and Phillipe now arrived at Acre. After a 2 year siege, the city fell back to Christian control in 1191. Saladin began protracted negotiations for the Muslim garrison, buying for time while his forces were massing. Saladin counted on the Franks chivalry, knowing he could delay negotiations as long as possible. Richard however was not a Frank, he was a pragmatic English ruler. Richard massacred the entire Muslim garrison, shocking Saladin and even his French allies. Richard then defeated Saladin at the Battle of Arsuf. 11,200 Crusader allies mainly infantry attacked and defeated 25,000 Saracens, Saladin was forced to retreat South where he besieged a Crusader fortress at Jaffa.
Arguments between Phillipe and Richard began over who should become the new king of Jerusalem, both men had different candidates but Richard eventually yielded to Phillip's decision. Then arguments began over strategy. Phillipe, his men, and the Germans, were all determined on retaking Jerusalem but Richard understood there was no defending Jerusalem against the strength of Egypt. To hold Jerusalem they first had to Conquer the Nile. These arguments led to Phillipe returning for France, where he would retake continental lands from Richard's brother John, who had usurped the throne in Richard's absence. Phillipe argued his truce was only with Richard and not John. Regaining most of the mainland he became Phillipe Auguste. After losing the Angevin Empire John "Lackland" was forced by his lords to sign Magna Carta, further weakening the power of the Crown.
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1192, Richard the Lionheart had raced by sea to relieve the Crusader held city Jaffa, besieged by Saladin's 10,000 Saracen cavalry. Richard's ships held at most 54 mounted knights including himself, 300 infantry, and 2000 crossbowmen. Once within sight of the city however, they saw Abbasid flags flying on the walls and feared they were too late. Seeing ships on the horizon, a priest in Jaffa risked his life by swimming out and warning Richard that the citadel was still holding out but would likely surrender soon. The King of England was the first man on shore, personally leading the amphibious assault on Saladin's forces and quickly routing them. Saladin was forced to withdraw from the city when it's citadel garrison joined in the fighting.
When Saladin returned to counter-attack the city, the Crusader force stood in tight formation outside the cities walls with wood stakes protecting their crossbowmen. The small force of 300 infantry repelled wave after wave of massive cavalry charges. Each charge suffering heavy losses to crossbow fire, while the Crusaders held firm. The Saracens soon became afraid of the Crusaders and even disobeyed direct orders by Saladin to attack, enraging him. According to a Muslim source: "On that day the King of England, lance in hand, rode along the whole length of our army from right to left, and not one of our soldiers left the ranks to attack him.” Finally Richard the Lionheart personally led a cavalry charge of no more than 54 into thousands of Saracens, routing their army completely.
With the situation in Europe, Richard was forced to return home. He signed a truce with Saladin, leaving Jerusalem in Muslim control but regaining control of the coast from Acre to Jaffa. He was determined to eventually return and conquer from Egypt to Jerusalem but it would not be. While fighting to regain control in France, Richard was struck by a rogue crossbow bolt. While dying, he had his men find the man who had shot him. He complimented the crossbowman on his aim, gave him a bag of gold, and ordered his men not to hunt the man down. After Richard's death however the man was executed for Regicide.
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@Fash-E The 3rd Crusade is the archetype of the fox vs the lion. The fox can play all his tricks, but if ever the lion catches him he's fucked. Saladin was a good general, always coming up with a good strategy to stitch together his coalition and secure his power, but he could never stand up against Richard in the open field.
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@Largo @Fash-E Exactly why he executed those prisoners. He was a very chivalrous man otherwise, but if he sensed you were double-dealing he had no mercy.
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@PoalackJokes88 @Fash-E That's just the story of Christ. Machivelli really outdid himself with his "Lions & Foxes" comparison.
Since foxes are weak and small, they rely entirely cunning and subterfuge. While the Lion relies on Strength and Force of Will, not because Lions can't be cunning or engage in subterfuge, but because the Lion believes that engaging in subterfuge would mean sacrificing sacred principles, operating in bad faith, etc. Etc.
Fash-E :windmill_of_friendship:
PoalackJokes88
Largo
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