Fash-E :windmilloffriendship: on Nostr: For the 17th Day of White History Month we celebrate the leaders of the Third ...
For the 17th Day of White History Month we celebrate the leaders of the Third Crusade, Emperor Frederick Barbarossa, King Phillipe Auguste, and Richard the Lionheart!
After the legendary and stunning success of the First Crusade, all of Christendom was awed by the establishment of Christian states in the Holy Lands. Now the task was to defend them against the Islamic world which surrounded them. The defense budgets of these states were so high they dependent on constant charity flowing from across Europe.
In 1174, the greatest Islamic leader, Saladin took power as Sultan of Egypt and Syria. He began campaigning against the Christians who were led by a King Baldwin IV. King Baldwin IV was dying of leprocy which the Muslims saw as a curse for his sins but the Christians viewed as a symbol of divine grace. Regardless of his sickness, Baldwin was resolved to fight until the end. He fought Saladin all across the holy land, personally leading battles.
At the Battle of Montgisard in 1177, 3,000 Christians led by Baldwin defeated 26,000 under the command of Saladin. Eventually Baldwin succumbed to his illness and died, leaving the Crusader states vulnerable. Saladin was able to retake Jerusalem and every city up to Acre. The new King of Jerusalem attempted to retake Acre, while the Pope called a new Crusade. This time the monarchs of Europe would answer the call personally.
Emperor Barbarossa was the most respected ruler in Europe at this time, at 60 years old, he was at the end of his reign and seeking to secure a legacy for his dynasty. He wrote a letter to Saladin in which he claims right over all lands in Egypt and the Levant as the true Roman Emperor and led 20,000 men towards the Holy lands. While crossing through Byzantine territory, a rogue Greek prince Isaac launched raids on and fought skirmishes with Barbarossa's army but was soundly defeated and fled. Isaac would later kidnap Richard the Lionheart's sister, forcing Richard to hunt him down. Isaac was imprisoned in silver shackles "befitting of a prince", after he had begged Richard not to be put in irons.
When setting out for the Siege of Acre, the rival Kings Richard and Phillipe agreed to put aside their differences for the good of Christendom. Phillipe took a red flag with a White cross while Richard took a White flag with a red cross, which became the flag of England. Richard was by far the most interested in taking the cross, much preferring honorable battle to politics. He was perhaps the greatest fighter of his age, leading several battles from the vanguard, earning him the moniker Lionheart. To fund the Crusade, Richard sold most of his titles and holdings, joking he would have sold London too if he could've found a buyer.
Entering Anatolia in 1190, the Emperor Barbarossa won 2 major battles against the Turks. At Philomelion 2,000 Crusaders beat 10,000 Turks, killing 5,000. At Iconium the two main armies met, with Barbarossa heavily outnumbered. There they cut down the remaining Turk forces. Crossing the Saleph River, seen as the dividing line between Anatolia and the Holy lands, Barbarossa died of unknown causes, likely due to his age. He fell from his horse into the river. Many men departed for home, seeing this as a dark omen. A large contingent continued to join the Siege of Acre, eventually founding the Knights Hospitaller, a volunteer force that protected Pilgrims to the Holy lands.
Richard and Phillipe now arrived at Acre. After a 2 year siege, the city fell back to Christian control in 1191. Saladin began protracted negotiations for the Muslim garrison, buying for time while his forces were massing. Saladin counted on the Franks chivalry, knowing he could delay negotiations as long as possible. Richard however was not a Frank, he was a pragmatic English ruler. Richard massacred the entire Muslim garrison, shocking Saladin and even his French. Richard then defeated Saladin at the Battle of Arsuf. 11,200 Crusader allies mainly infantry attacked and defeated 25,000 Saracens, and Saladin was forced to retreat South where he besieged a Crusader fortress at Jaffa.
Arguments between Phillipe and Richard began over who should become the new king of Jerusalem, both men had different candidates but Richard eventually yielded to Phillip's decision. Then arguments began over strategy. Phillipe, his men, and the Germans, were all determined on retaking Jerusalem but Richard understood there was no defending Jerusalem against the strength of Egypt. To hold Jerusalem they first had to Conquer the Nile. These arguments led to Phillipe returning for France, where he would retake continental lands from Richard's brother John, who had usurped the throne in Richard's absence. Phillipe argued his truce was only with Richard and not John. Regaining most of the mainland he became Phillipe Auguste. After losing the Angevin Empire John "Lackland" was forced by his lords to sign Magna Carta, further weakening the power of the Crown.
After the legendary and stunning success of the First Crusade, all of Christendom was awed by the establishment of Christian states in the Holy Lands. Now the task was to defend them against the Islamic world which surrounded them. The defense budgets of these states were so high they dependent on constant charity flowing from across Europe.
In 1174, the greatest Islamic leader, Saladin took power as Sultan of Egypt and Syria. He began campaigning against the Christians who were led by a King Baldwin IV. King Baldwin IV was dying of leprocy which the Muslims saw as a curse for his sins but the Christians viewed as a symbol of divine grace. Regardless of his sickness, Baldwin was resolved to fight until the end. He fought Saladin all across the holy land, personally leading battles.
At the Battle of Montgisard in 1177, 3,000 Christians led by Baldwin defeated 26,000 under the command of Saladin. Eventually Baldwin succumbed to his illness and died, leaving the Crusader states vulnerable. Saladin was able to retake Jerusalem and every city up to Acre. The new King of Jerusalem attempted to retake Acre, while the Pope called a new Crusade. This time the monarchs of Europe would answer the call personally.
Emperor Barbarossa was the most respected ruler in Europe at this time, at 60 years old, he was at the end of his reign and seeking to secure a legacy for his dynasty. He wrote a letter to Saladin in which he claims right over all lands in Egypt and the Levant as the true Roman Emperor and led 20,000 men towards the Holy lands. While crossing through Byzantine territory, a rogue Greek prince Isaac launched raids on and fought skirmishes with Barbarossa's army but was soundly defeated and fled. Isaac would later kidnap Richard the Lionheart's sister, forcing Richard to hunt him down. Isaac was imprisoned in silver shackles "befitting of a prince", after he had begged Richard not to be put in irons.
When setting out for the Siege of Acre, the rival Kings Richard and Phillipe agreed to put aside their differences for the good of Christendom. Phillipe took a red flag with a White cross while Richard took a White flag with a red cross, which became the flag of England. Richard was by far the most interested in taking the cross, much preferring honorable battle to politics. He was perhaps the greatest fighter of his age, leading several battles from the vanguard, earning him the moniker Lionheart. To fund the Crusade, Richard sold most of his titles and holdings, joking he would have sold London too if he could've found a buyer.
Entering Anatolia in 1190, the Emperor Barbarossa won 2 major battles against the Turks. At Philomelion 2,000 Crusaders beat 10,000 Turks, killing 5,000. At Iconium the two main armies met, with Barbarossa heavily outnumbered. There they cut down the remaining Turk forces. Crossing the Saleph River, seen as the dividing line between Anatolia and the Holy lands, Barbarossa died of unknown causes, likely due to his age. He fell from his horse into the river. Many men departed for home, seeing this as a dark omen. A large contingent continued to join the Siege of Acre, eventually founding the Knights Hospitaller, a volunteer force that protected Pilgrims to the Holy lands.
Richard and Phillipe now arrived at Acre. After a 2 year siege, the city fell back to Christian control in 1191. Saladin began protracted negotiations for the Muslim garrison, buying for time while his forces were massing. Saladin counted on the Franks chivalry, knowing he could delay negotiations as long as possible. Richard however was not a Frank, he was a pragmatic English ruler. Richard massacred the entire Muslim garrison, shocking Saladin and even his French. Richard then defeated Saladin at the Battle of Arsuf. 11,200 Crusader allies mainly infantry attacked and defeated 25,000 Saracens, and Saladin was forced to retreat South where he besieged a Crusader fortress at Jaffa.
Arguments between Phillipe and Richard began over who should become the new king of Jerusalem, both men had different candidates but Richard eventually yielded to Phillip's decision. Then arguments began over strategy. Phillipe, his men, and the Germans, were all determined on retaking Jerusalem but Richard understood there was no defending Jerusalem against the strength of Egypt. To hold Jerusalem they first had to Conquer the Nile. These arguments led to Phillipe returning for France, where he would retake continental lands from Richard's brother John, who had usurped the throne in Richard's absence. Phillipe argued his truce was only with Richard and not John. Regaining most of the mainland he became Phillipe Auguste. After losing the Angevin Empire John "Lackland" was forced by his lords to sign Magna Carta, further weakening the power of the Crown.