The Third Crusade
The Third Crusade: Was it worth it?
By Ryan Brennan for National History Day 2017
A Brief History of the Third Crusade
The Third Crusade was a conflict that lasted from 1189 to 1192. The Crusade started when the Muslim General Saladin attacked the city of Jerusalem in 1187, which was controlled by the Catholic Church.
Shocked by this, the Pope, the head of the Catholic Church, called for another expedition into the Holy Land. This call was answered by Frederick Barbarossa, the Holy Roman Emperor, Phillip II, the King of France, and most famously, Richard I, the king of England.
During this Crusade, Richard I earned the title Lionheart for his fearlessness in battle. Richard the Lionheart grew in fame, and this was supported by the numerous victories the cunning King had from former conquests.
Eventually, Saladin, general of the Muslim army, sent many of his troops home for the winter, while Richard I marched his army right to the gates of Jerusalem. However, Richard I knew his men were weak from the winter, and would not be able to hold against the full force of Saladin's forces when they would inevitably return in the spring.
Thus Richard I and Saladin met, and both agreed on a truce. The terms of the truce were that Richard I and the other crusaders would have to surrender the crusade and exit the Holy Land, but Saladin and the Muslims would have to let Catholics go on pilgrimages to Jerusalem and other cities in the Holy land. This provided a fragile and temporary peace between the two major world religions.
Shocked by this, the Pope, the head of the Catholic Church, called for another expedition into the Holy Land. This call was answered by Frederick Barbarossa, the Holy Roman Emperor, Phillip II, the King of France, and most famously, Richard I, the king of England.
During this Crusade, Richard I earned the title Lionheart for his fearlessness in battle. Richard the Lionheart grew in fame, and this was supported by the numerous victories the cunning King had from former conquests.
Eventually, Saladin, general of the Muslim army, sent many of his troops home for the winter, while Richard I marched his army right to the gates of Jerusalem. However, Richard I knew his men were weak from the winter, and would not be able to hold against the full force of Saladin's forces when they would inevitably return in the spring.
Thus Richard I and Saladin met, and both agreed on a truce. The terms of the truce were that Richard I and the other crusaders would have to surrender the crusade and exit the Holy Land, but Saladin and the Muslims would have to let Catholics go on pilgrimages to Jerusalem and other cities in the Holy land. This provided a fragile and temporary peace between the two major world religions.
Was it Worth it?Richard I was spurred by Religious Zeal, Political Ambition, and the desire for Financial Gain. Richard I may have lost the war, the question remains: Did he leave unsatisfied? Was it worth it to stop the war when he did, or should he have stood his ground and held out against Saladin?
Was it even worth it to set out on the Crusade in the first place? Did he lose more than he gained? Was it a successful attempt at furthering the goals of Richard I, or was it an unnecessary waste of life for England? |
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