The Third Crusade

The Third Crusade

1. Motives

   • King Phillip of France saw the crusade as a chance to take land from his rival (Richard the Lionheart). He wanted to stop Richard from gaining any success
   • Frederick Barbarossa wanted material glory and piety
   • King Richard the Lionheart who was the feudal lord of Anjou was the son of Melisende and grandson of King Fulk so had to continue his family crusading legacy.
     • It was also a way to cleanse his Reputation and sins
     • He had inherited his fathers throne (Henry II) in 1182 so had enormous resources to fight in the crusade with
   • The gift of Remission of sins. Society in the West was very violent and the crusade offered a respectful outlet for this violence thus saving souls.

2. Why did the 3rd Crusade Fail?

   • Bad Luck
     • William of Sicily died in Nov 1189 - he had promised to provide crusaders with troops but his succession was disputed which led to Tancred of Leece confiscating the troops
     • Frederick Barbarossa died in June 1190
       • He had a very large army but his His troops began returning home after his death
       • His authority would have subdued rivalry between Richard and Phillip
       • He fought in the second crusade so had experience that Richard and Phillip didnt
   • Did not achieve its spiritual/religious aim of taking Jerusalem which was the crusades main objective as stated in the opening lines of Pope Eugenius' papal bull
     • Caused Spiritual damage to Christendom - its failure made many doubt god and his harsh decision for their sins
   • HOWEVER
     • The crusaders allowed the latin states to survive - They gained lots of land including Acre, Jaffa, Arsuf and Cyprus
     • the future path for the crusade was set-taking egypt and using it as a means of taking jerusalem/going by sea
     • Latin states had a power vacuum which was resolved with Henry of Champagne becoming king
   • Saladin led a unified Muslim effort. He was an exceptionally able military and political leader as well. He refused to engage the crusaders in open battle again using a scorched earth policy which wore down the crusaders through a process of attrition.

3. It ended with a truce in which Saladin kept Jerusalem but Christians were allowed to visit Jerusalem and its holy places unharmed and without having to pay a tribute