Third Crusade

Quick Facts: Who was Third Crusade?

Subject:

Third Crusade

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The 1189–1192 military effort by European monarchs to retake Jerusalem from Muslim forces.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The Third Crusade (1189–1192) was an attempt led by King Philip II of France, King Richard I of England, and Emperor Frederick Barbarossa to reconquer the Holy Land following the capture of Jerusalem by the Ayyubid sultan Saladin in 1187. For this reason, the Third Crusade is also known as the Kings' Crusade. The Crusade was partially successful. It recaptured the important cities of Acre and Jaffa, as well as successfully reversing most of Saladin's conquests (primarily in the Kingdom of Jerusalem), but failed in the ultimate goal to conquer Jerusalem (the major aim of the Crusade and its religious focus). After the failure of the Second Crusade of 1147–1149, the Zengid dynasty controlled a unified Syria and engaged in a conflict with the Fatimid rulers of Egypt.

Career & Major Achievements

Saladin ultimately brought both the Egyptian and Syrian forces under his own control, and employed them to reduce the Crusader states and to recapture Jerusalem in 1187. Spurred by religious zeal, King Henry II of England and King Philip II of France (later known as "Philip Augustus") ended their conflict with each other to lead a new crusade. The death of Henry (6 July 1189), however, meant the English contingent came under the command of his successor, King Richard I of England. The German Emperor Frederick Barbarossa, now in his mid-60s, also responded to the call to arms, leading an army across the Balkans and Anatolia. He achieved some victories against the Seljuk Sultanate of Rûm, but he died whilst crossing a river on 10 June 1190 before reaching the Holy Land.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

His death caused tremendous grief among the German Crusaders, and most of his troops returned home. After the Crusaders had driven the Ayyubid army from Acre, Philip—in company with Frederick's successor in command of the German crusaders, Leopold V, Duke of Austria—left the Holy Land in August 1191. Following a major victory by the Crusaders at the Battle of Arsuf, most of the coastline of the Levant was returned to Christian control. On 2 September 1192 Richard and Saladin finalized the Treaty of Jaffa, which recognized Muslim control over Jerusalem but allowed unarmed Christian pilgrims and merchants to visit the city. Richard departed the Holy Land on 9 October 1192 due to mounting threats to his rule back in Europe.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1147: 1147 Milestone — After the failure of the Second Crusade of 1147–1149, the Zengid dynasty controlled a unified Syria and engaged in a conflict with the Fatimid rulers of Egypt.
2. 1187: 1187 Milestone — Saladin ultimately brought both the Egyptian and Syrian forces under his own control, and employed them to reduce the Crusader states and to recapture Jerusalem in 1187.
3. 1189: 1189 Milestone — The Third Crusade (1189–1192) was an attempt led by King Philip II of France, King Richard I of England, and Emperor Frederick Barbarossa to reconquer the Holy Land following the capture of Jerusalem by the Ayyubid sultan Saladin in 1187.
4. 1190: 1190 Milestone — He achieved some victories against the Seljuk Sultanate of Rûm, but he died whilst crossing a river on 10 June 1190 before reaching the Holy Land.
5. 1191: 1191 Milestone — After the Crusaders had driven the Ayyubid army from Acre, Philip—in company with Frederick's successor in command of the German crusaders, Leopold V, Duke of Austria—left the Holy Land in August 1191.
6. 1192: 1192 Milestone — On 2 September 1192 Richard and Saladin finalized the Treaty of Jaffa, which recognized Muslim control over Jerusalem but allowed unarmed Christian pilgrims and merchants to visit the city.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Third Crusade

True or False: “Did the Third Crusade successfully achieve its ultimate goal of conquering Jerusalem?”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The crusade failed to conquer Jerusalem; instead, the Treaty of Jaffa recognized Muslim control while allowing Christian pilgrimage.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Benkei — Historical peer (Died in 1189) (1189): Legendary warrior monk renowned for immense strength and unwavering loyalty.
• Henry II of England — Historical peer (Died in 1189) (1189): Powerful Angevin monarch who ruled England and vast territories across France.
• Emperor Go-Shirakawa — Historical peer (Died in 1192) (1192): Powerful, yet politically constrained emperor who maintained influence through the insei system.
• Iltutmish — Historical peer (Born in 1192) (1192): Founder of the Delhi Sultanate, Iltutmish ruled from 1211 to 1236.
• Louis VIII of France — Historical peer (Born in 1187) (1187): King of France, known as The Lion, whose reign saw military campaigns and policy shifts.
• Minamoto no Yoritomo — Historical peer (Born in 1147) (1147): Founder of the Kamakura Shogunate and first great military ruler of Japan.
• Robert, 1st Earl of Gloucester — Historical peer (Died in 1147) (1147): Illegitimate son of Henry I, key military figure in the Anarchy.
• Frederick Barbarossa — Historical peer (Died in 1190) (1190): Holy Roman Emperor who dominated Italian politics and expanded imperial authority.
• Ivan Asen II — Historical peer (Born in 1190) (1190): Emperor of Bulgaria, who restored the Second Bulgarian Empire's power and influence.
• Tolui — Historical peer (Born in 1191) (1191): Prominent general and regent of the Mongol Empire, son of Genghis Khan.

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