Richard the Lionhearted Encounters Saladin

The Third Crusade although unsuccessful, helped ease tensions between western European Christians and Eastern Muslims. It secured a truce and ensured Christians would be allowed to make their pilgrimages to Jerusalem. As a side story two kings showed each other chivalrous mutual respect.

Richard the Lionheart king of England raised money through taxes and assembled an army with the help and support of France to retake Jerusalem from Saladin and the Muslims. “The two most significant remaining leaders to set out on crusade from the West were Richard of England and Philip of France, who set out by sea separately in 1191. Richard stopped at Cyprus on his way to the Holy Land and conquered the island before meeting up with Philip at the siege of Acre on 8 June 1191. Saladin was unable to break the Christians' blockade, and the city fell to the crusading kings in a little over a month, after which Philip departed to return to the West and Richard turned south toward Jaffa.” During the march on 7 September 1191, Saladin attacked the crusaders on the plains near Jaffa, but he suffered a heavy loss. Richard was then able to take Jaffa, and secure the use of its port. Soon after Saladin tried to retake Jaffa but was unsuccessful.

“However, Saladin's relationship with Richard was one of chivalrous mutual respect as well as military rivalry. When Richard became ill with fever, Saladin offered the services of his personal physician. Saladin also sent him fresh fruit with snow, to chill the drink, as treatment. At Arsuf, when Richard lost his horse, Saladin sent him two replacements. Richard suggested to Saladin that Palestine, Christian and Muslim, could be united through the marriage of his sister Joan of England, Queen of Sicily to Saladin's brother, and that Jerusalem could be their wedding gift.”

Soon after the two commanders agreed on a three year truce. King Richard returned to home to England and shortly after Saladin in 1193. The Third Crusade failed to recapture Jerusalem, but it did secure the coastline from Jaffa to Tyre, creating a point from which future crusades could be launched.


1 Lawson, Rich. Richard and Saladin: Warriors of the Third Crusade
2 Lawson, Rich. Richard and Saladin: Warriors of the Third Crusade
found at http://www.shadowedrealm.com/articles/exclusive/richard_saladin_warriors_third_crusade