“Third Crusade” 820th Anniversary Series: A Wall Comes Down, Presenting an Opportunity

(This post is the tenth of an occasional series of posts following 820th anniversary highlights of what history now calls the “third crusade.” My novel, The Swords of Faith, tells the story of this legendary clash between Richard the Lionheart and Saladin.)

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Weather continued to assault the fortunes of the Muslim defenders at Acre (see December 31, 2010 post).  On January 5, 1191, a section of the outer wall at Acre collapsed, presenting an opportunity for the Christian attackers. But the effects of stalemate had depleted the strength of the Christian forces as well. They mounted an attack, but not strong enough to change the issue. An emergency mobilization of every unavailable builder and craftsman in the town succeeded in filling the breach and repelling the Christian attack. The Acre defenders struggled to hold off the Christians while under fire from arrows and stones. But though weather seemed to be conspiring to make life difficult for the Acre defenders, the Christian attackers were still unable to break the stalemate, and the besieged and the besieged besiegers continued their unresolved hostilities.

Previous 820th Anniversary Posts:

July 4th – The 820th Anniversary of the Launch of the “Third Crusade”

October 4th – Richard the Lionheart Sacks Messina

November 3rd – Queen Sibylla Dies

November 11th – Richard the Lionheart Signs a Treaty with King Tancred of Sicily

November 15th – Queen Isabella’s Marriage to Humphrey of Toron is Annulled

November 19th – Archbishop of Canterbury Dies

November 24th – Conrad of Montferrat Marries Queen Isabella

December 25th – Richard the Lionheart Feasts at Christmas

December 31st – Shipwreck at Acre; Muslim Defenders Lose Resupply

To review a comprehensive catalog of historical fiction set during the medieval time period, go to http://www.medieval-novels.com:80/.