Course of the Third Crusade

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Sicily 22nd September 1190

- Richard arrived at Messina t o collect his sister Joan's dowry from Count Tancred of Lecce. Tancred refused to pay, so Richard attacked Messina to force his hand.

-4th October 1190, Messina was under Richard's control and Tancred paid up. Richard left Sicily with 17,000 troops and he had exorted 40,000 gold ounces from Tancred to finance his crusade.

- The prior King of Sicily, William II, had promised Sicily as a launch pad for the Crusade. On hearing of the fall of Jerusalem, he sent a substantial fleet to bolster the remaining Frankish towns ahead of the main arrival. William was one of the first to hear of the fall, and as aforementioned he sent a fleet, and its arrival helped to save both Tripoli and Tyre. But, William II of Sicily died November 1189, robbed the Crusaders of a useful ally and also led to a succession crisis in Sicily. Joan's dowry wasn't paid on his death. Tancred of Lecce was the illegitimate cousin of William II.

- Origins of Crusader rivalry, as Philip demanded a share of the spoils despite not being there. A compromise was agreed, Richard told Philip that he would not marry Alice at this point, and informed him that his new wife Berengaria was on the way with his mother Eleanor of Aquitaine.

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Cyrpus, set sail April 1191

- 25 ships run aground at Cyprus, Isaac Comnenus was an independent greek ruler, and had imprisoned their crews. Richard invaded May 6th, took coastal town of Limassol immediately and then began his campaign.

- 1st June, after the capture of KYRENIA, where Isaac's wife and daughter his, Isaac surrendered the island to Richard.

- The templars bought the island for 100,000 bezants.

-Isaac Comnenus had ruled since 1184, but was at odds with Isaac II. Isaac Comnenus had captured the first arrivals to the island, including Joan and Berengaria. Here on the island of Cyprus Richard married Berengaria, also received Guy, his brother Geoffrey as well as a contingent of Templars.

Sailed to Outremer, and arrived safely outside the walls of Tyre early June 1191. He was refused entry by Conrad of Montferrat, and left for Acre the next day. --> came across a Muslim ship laden with supplies for the garrison at Acre, Richard caught it and sank it, arrived on 8th June 1191 at Acre.

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Acre

- Philip first arrived 20th April 1191, but the siege had already began in 1189. Philip provided six fully supplied ships and began to construct siege engines to attack the city walls. Philip was then joined by Ricahrd on the 8th June 1191, who began to construct his own siege engines.

- 12th July 1191, Muslim garrison surrendered to Conrad. (a morale boost to the Crusaders) However, there was a delay in leaving due to arguements over who would take control of Jerusalem. The kings heard both of the claims. Decided Guy would be king for life, after which Conrad would occupy.

- Once resolved, Philip returned home July 1191, to annex dead Philip of Flanders' lands as he had been killed during the Acre campaign. His lands in Vermandois were vulnerable to French expansion. Philip left Hugh the Duke of Burgundy in charge of french forces. One clear commander now, Richard I king of England. Conrad's arrival boosted forces, and he married Isabella. a bigamous marrriage, as Conrad was already married to Theodora Isaac's sister. Needed the hasty divorce of Isabella and Humphrey IV of Toron.

-Death of Sybilla and daughters Winter 1190 bad for the claim of King Guy.

-Banner situation.

- Ironic, as both Ricahrd and Philip had promised not to attack each others lands while the other was on Crusade.