Fash-E :windmilloffriendship: on Nostr: 1192, Richard the Lionheart had raced by sea to relieve the Crusader held city Jaffa, ...
1192, Richard the Lionheart had raced by sea to relieve the Crusader held city Jaffa, besieged by Saladin's 10,000 Saracen cavalry. Richard's ships held at most 54 mounted knights including himself, 300 infantry, and 2000 crossbowmen. Once within sight of the city however, they saw Abbasid flags flying on the walls and feared they were too late. Seeing ships on the horizon, a priest in Jaffa risked his life by swimming out and warning Richard that the citadel was still holding out but would likely surrender soon. The King of England was the first man on shore, personally leading the amphibious assault on Saladin's forces and quickly routing them. Saladin was forced to withdraw from the city when it's citadel garrison joined in the fighting.
When Saladin returned to counter-attack the city, the Crusader force stood in tight formation outside the cities walls with wood stakes protecting their crossbowmen. The small force of 300 infantry repelled wave after wave of massive cavalry charges. Each charge suffering heavy losses to crossbow fire, while the Crusaders held firm. The Saracens soon became afraid of the Crusaders and even disobeyed direct orders by Saladin to attack, enraging him. According to a Muslim source: "On that day the King of England, lance in hand, rode along the whole length of our army from right to left, and not one of our soldiers left the ranks to attack him.” Finally Richard the Lionheart personally led a cavalry charge of no more than 54 into thousands of Saracens, routing their army completely.
With the situation in Europe, Richard was forced to return home. He signed a truce with Saladin, leaving Jerusalem in Muslim control but regaining control of the coast from Acre to Jaffa. He was determined to eventually return and conquer from Egypt to Jerusalem but it would not be. While fighting to regain control in France, Richard was struck by a rogue crossbow bolt. While dying, he had his men find the man who had shot him. He complimented the crossbowman on his aim, gave him a bag of gold, and ordered his men not to hunt the man down. After Richard's death however the man was executed for Regicide.
When Saladin returned to counter-attack the city, the Crusader force stood in tight formation outside the cities walls with wood stakes protecting their crossbowmen. The small force of 300 infantry repelled wave after wave of massive cavalry charges. Each charge suffering heavy losses to crossbow fire, while the Crusaders held firm. The Saracens soon became afraid of the Crusaders and even disobeyed direct orders by Saladin to attack, enraging him. According to a Muslim source: "On that day the King of England, lance in hand, rode along the whole length of our army from right to left, and not one of our soldiers left the ranks to attack him.” Finally Richard the Lionheart personally led a cavalry charge of no more than 54 into thousands of Saracens, routing their army completely.
With the situation in Europe, Richard was forced to return home. He signed a truce with Saladin, leaving Jerusalem in Muslim control but regaining control of the coast from Acre to Jaffa. He was determined to eventually return and conquer from Egypt to Jerusalem but it would not be. While fighting to regain control in France, Richard was struck by a rogue crossbow bolt. While dying, he had his men find the man who had shot him. He complimented the crossbowman on his aim, gave him a bag of gold, and ordered his men not to hunt the man down. After Richard's death however the man was executed for Regicide.