Richard the Lionhearted

Richard the Lionhearted was the leader for the Third Crusade (Christians). Richard was on the journey to conquer Jerusalem from Saladin (Muslim). Saladin had no intention in giving up Jerusalem for it had been fought over for many years.

The Crusades intentions were to take back the Holy Land (Jerusalem). Jerusalem had been taken by the First Crusade and the European’s kingdom was built on its ruins. Almost one hundred years later Jerusalem had been taken back by Saladin at the Battle of Hattin and the Crusade army had been destroyed. It was time for new Crusaders and a leader that can match Saladin’s power. The Third Crusade took two year to gather and send out to recapture Jerusalem.

Saladin was the essences of chivalry he was a model of a perfect knight. In war Saladin would protect civilians from his own soldiers. Saladin had no interest in personal wealth he didn’t own a single house and when he died his shroud had to be borrowed. Saladin and Richard actually never met they had a messenger which was Saladin’s brother Al-Adil. Richard became very friendly with Al-Adil and even knighted one of Al-Adil’s sons. Richard proposed that his sister Joan marry Saladin’s brother Al-Adil and they could join all of Palestine to end the disagreement once and for all. Saladin had to make a treaty with Richard before Al-Adil made a treaty with Richard or Saladin would have lost his kingdom to his own brother Al-Adil

Richard the Lionhearted was actually French “Richard Coeur de Lion”, and didn’t speak a word of English but for England he was the greatest hero of the Crusade. Richard became the king of England in 1189, Richard also ruled half of France, and was rumored to be the lover of the king of France Philip. Richard and Philip met...

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... because Saladin had lost control of his army. A treaty was made and signed by both sides on August 28, 1192 to bring the war to an end. Saladin would let Christian priest in holy places and let the crusades keep the coast as long as Richard destroyed the fort he built in Asculum. Many crusaders visited Jerusalem as Saladin’s guest but Richard had made it clear that he wanted to be only ruler of Jerusalem.

Richard end up with Jerusalem when Saladin died. Later Richard died April 6, 1199 while attacking a city he was hit in the shoulder with a arrow. Richard was buried next to his Henry in the church Fontervrault.

Works Cited

http://www.britannia.com/history/coroner1.html , http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/lionheart.htm , http://www.nndb.com/people/426/000093147/ , The Third Crusade Richard the Lionhearted vs. Saladin Author Samuel Willard Crompton