     When Western Europe heard the news that Jerusalem was recaptured and in the hands of the Muslims, the pope is said to have died of grief. Pope Gregory the VIII, his successor, called for the Third crusade. The Third Crusade was called the Crusade of Kings because three kings responded to the call. King Richard I the Lionheart of England, King Philip II Augustus of France and Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa of Germany. These three kings gathered their armies and prepared to march against the Muslims for the Holy Land. The crusaders traveled by two separate routes. Emperor Fredrick marched overland from Germany and King Richard and King Philip both traveled by sea.

     The Third Crusade was a disaster from the beginning. On his way to Palestine, Frederick, 70 years-old, drowned while swimming across a river in Turkey. Most of Frederick's soldiers returned to Germany with their leader but a few were willing to go on without him. Also, King Philip and King Richard were uneasy allies.

     King Philip and his army were the first to arrive in Palestine. They began a siege of the powerful city of Acre in April 1191. When King Richard arrived in June, he found the French army already attacking the city of Acre. The walls of the city were high and strong, and it seemed impossible to take. But the crusaders would not stop. Day after day the attack went on. Great war machines threw heavy rocks into the city, wrecking buildings and killing people, and battering rams crushed the walls to dust. Everywhere were crusaders and on every side rang their inspiring war cry, "It is the will of God." After several weeks the mighty stronghold of Acre fell. After occupying Acre for a few weeks, King Richard became impatient when the terms of the surrender of Acre with Saladin were going slowly. Saladin was to return the True Cross which he had captured with Jerusalem in 1187 and Richard was to release the prisoners. Richard ordered the execution of all 2,700 Muslims-men, women and children within the city.

Energized by the victory of Acre, the crusaders marched to Jerusalem. Along the way, Philip and Richard quarreled and Philip took his troops and returned to France, leaving Richard in control to carry on the war and fight Saladin alone. Richard knew he could not take Jerusalem without the help of the French but he continued the march south toward Jerusalem. This was a difficult march. King Richard kept the crusaders close to the sea so as to allow ships to supply them. Also, the cool coastal breeze provided some comfort. Nevertheless, the crusaders suffered badly from heat and lack of fresh wate.

      During the next year, King Richard and Saladin fought many battles and they grew to respect each other. At one time, Richard was sick with a fever and Saladin, although he was Richard's enemy, sent him fresh fruits to help him gain strength, and snow from the mountains to cool his hot, dry lips. As the war went on, Richard regained some territories but failed to capture Jerusalem.

     On September 2, 1192 King Richard and Saladin signed a five year treaty. Under this treaty, Jerusalem would remain under Muslim control, the Christians could keep their cities along the coast from Tyre to Joppa and the Christian pilgrims could once again travel freely to the Holy Land.

     The failure of the Third Crusade to capture Jerusalem would lead to the call for the Fourth Crusade some years later.

World History - Medieval and Early Modern Times. Evanston: McDougal Littell, 2006. (150 – 199)

Rickard, J. 24 March 2001, “Third Crusade, 1189- http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/wars_crusade3rd.html

Gainor, M. “Third Crusade 1189 -1192,” <http://jmgainor.homestead.com/files/PU/Cru/3cr.htm>

Knox, E.L. Skip. “Third Crusade” History of the Crusade, <http://crusades.boisestate.edu/3rd/>