“Third Crusade” 820th Anniversary Series: Saladin’s Forces Relieve the Garrison at Acre

(This post is the thirteenth of what will be approximately seventy 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.)

*****

Saladin was known for excellent spy networks throughout the eastern Mediterranean region, including Western Christian occupied territories. From this intelligence, he was able to launch an effective siege-relieving attack, breaking through to the Acre garrison with fresh troops and a new commander. This action, 820 years ago today, brought a much needed to lift to his forces in this siege-within-a-siege at Acre. Could it have been a decisive blow, ending the Western Christian siege? Saladin did not order more significant military activity, concerned with the weariness of his own troops. He had reliable reports of the terrible conditions and suffering at the camps of the Christian besiegers. They couldn’t last much longer, could they? Winter still kept the French and English kings away. Saladin chose to hold back on a major attack and let time win the victory, especially in light of this breakthrough.  But time was not on his side. Winter may have kept the European kings away, but a supply ship full of corn arrived in March, and the Christian besiegers held on.  And it wouldn’t be long before much more significant arrivals would transform the situation at Acre.

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

January 5th – A Wall Comes Down, Presenting an Opportunity

January 20th – Frederick of Swabia Dies; Leopold of Austria Becomes Top-Ranked German Royalty at Acre

February 2nd – A Playful “Joust” Gets Out of Hand in Sicily

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