I. The context and purpose of the Third Crusade
The First Crusade (1096-1099) aimed to capture Jerusalem and establish Christian control over the Holy Land.
After this Crusade, the Latin states of the East were founded, including the Kingdom of Jerusalem, Antioch, and Tripoli.
In the Third Crusade (1189-1192), Richard I of England (also known as Richard the Lionheart) joined other European monarchs to try to reclaim Jerusalem from the Muslim leader Saladin.
The Latin states were already weakened by Saladin’s conquests, and Richard I’s goal was to defend and support these states in the region.
Although Richard I succeeded in some battles (Acre), Jerusalem remained under Muslim control.
II. A campaign of brutal warfare
III. The Third Crusade — a victory or a defeat?
Main question
SECOND SESSION
=> Read the paper named « The Third Crusade, » ask questions about the vocabulary if needed.
=> Then, finish your work on the Siege of Saint John of Acre (1189-1191), which is also part of the Third Crusade.
=> With all this information, write a dialogue between an English crusader following Richard III and a Muslim defending the Holy Land. The dialogue must be courteous and compare the differences between the two civilizations. Present it to the class for 2 minutes.
=> For your dialogue, you can use the following terms :
Crusade • Holy War • Pilgrimage • Kingdom of Jerusalem • The Holy Land • Jerusalem • Battle • Siege • Alliance • Treaty • Richard the Lionheart • Saladin • Saracens • Christianity • Islam • Faith • Prophet Muhammad • Jesus Christ • Bible • Quran • Holy City • To conquer • To defend • To negotiate • To march • To surrender • To reclaim • To pray • To fight • Chivalry • Honor • Peace • Victory • Defeat • Territory • Truce • Sacrifice • Acre • Mediterranean Sea • Crusader States
Documents
Manuscript, 1490, Bibliothèque nationale de France, Paris.
Word box
- Crusades – A series of religious wars between Christians and Muslims to capture holy sites, especially Jerusalem.
- Jerusalem – A holy city for both Christians (Jesus’ crucifixion) and Muslims (Al-Aqsa Mosque, Dome of the Rock).
- Pope Urban II – The pope who called for the First Crusade in 1095 at the Council of Clermont.
- Crusader states – Christian territories established after the First Crusade, like the Kingdom of Jerusalem and the County of Tripoli.
- Saladin – Muslim sultan of Egypt and Syria who recaptured Jerusalem in 1187.
- Third Crusade – Military campaign (1189–1192) led by Richard I, Philip II, and Frederick Barbarossa to recapture Jerusalem.
- Richard the Lionheart – King of England and main leader of the Third Crusade after Frederick and Philip left.
- Siege of Acre – A key military battle (1189–1191) where Crusaders captured a fortified city to secure access to Jerusalem.
- Battle of Arsuf – A significant victory for Richard’s army over Saladin using disciplined tactics and heavy cavalry.
- Truce of 1192 – Agreement allowing Christian pilgrims safe access to Jerusalem, while Muslims kept control of the city.
- Acre, Jaffa, Ascalon – Coastal cities controlled by Crusaders that served as strategic strongholds.
- Ransom of Richard – The huge sum paid to release Richard I after his capture, showing his political importance.
- Taxation and war financing – Heavy taxes in England to fund the Crusade, influencing future war funding methods.
- Magna Carta (1215) – Document limiting royal power and guaranteeing certain rights, influenced by unrest during Richard’s absence and King John’s poor rule.
Picard HG/HGGSP 