Algor Cards

The Third Crusade: A Complex Episode in the History of the Crusades

Concept Map

Algorino

Edit available

The Third Crusade (1189-1192) was a pivotal moment in medieval history, featuring leaders like Richard the Lionheart and Saladin. It included the Siege of Acre, the Battle of Arsuf, and the Treaty of Jaffa, which allowed Christian pilgrimages to Jerusalem while keeping the city under Muslim control. The crusade's end marked a period of coexistence and set the stage for future conflicts in the Holy Land.

The Prelude to the Third Crusade

The late 12th century saw the Christian kingdoms in the Levant under severe pressure from Muslim forces. The Kingdom of Jerusalem, a Christian stronghold since the First Crusade, was particularly vulnerable. In 1171, Saladin, a Kurdish Muslim leader, had unified Egypt under his rule and later established the Ayyubid dynasty. His military campaigns were successful, culminating in the pivotal Battle of Hattin in 1187, where the Crusader forces were decisively defeated. This led to the fall of Jerusalem to Saladin's forces in October of the same year. The loss of Jerusalem was a profound shock to Christendom, prompting Pope Gregory VIII to issue the papal bull "Audita tremendi," which called for a new Crusade to reclaim the Holy City and reassert Christian dominance in the Holy Land.
Knights in chainmail on horseback face Muslim warriors with curved swords and shields during a Third Crusade battle under a clear sky.

The Launch and Leadership of the Third Crusade

The Third Crusade (1189-1192) was distinguished by the participation of Europe's most powerful monarchs. Richard I of England, known as Richard the Lionheart, took the throne in 1189 and pledged to join the Crusade, as did Philip II of France. Their departure for the Holy Land was preceded by a winter spent in Sicily, where tensions between the two kings began to surface. The German contingent, led by Holy Roman Emperor Frederick Barbarossa, suffered a significant setback when Frederick drowned in a river in Asia Minor in June 1190. His death fragmented the German forces, with many returning home, while others continued under the leadership of Duke Leopold V of Austria. The Third Crusade was thus characterized by a complex interplay of royal ambitions and rivalries, which would influence the course of the campaign.

Show More

Want to create maps from your material?

Enter text, upload a photo, or audio to Algor. In a few seconds, Algorino will transform it into a conceptual map, summary, and much more!

Learn with Algor Education flashcards

Click on each Card to learn more about the topic

00

In the late 12th century, the ______ of Jerusalem fell to ______ after the decisive Battle of ______ in 1187.

Kingdom

Saladin's forces

Hattin

01

Following the capture of Jerusalem, ______ VIII issued the papal bull ______, calling for a new Crusade to retake the ______.

Pope Gregory

Audita tremendi

Holy City

02

Duration and Notable Events of the Third Crusade

Lasted from 1189 to 1192; marked by Frederick Barbarossa's death and royal tensions in Sicily.

Q&A

Here's a list of frequently asked questions on this topic

Can't find what you were looking for?

Search for a topic by entering a phrase or keyword