“Third Crusade” 820th Anniversary Series: Richard the Lionheart Lands at Rhodes After His Fleet Scatters

(This post is the eighteenth 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.)

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Richard the Lionheart, legendary warrior and military tactician, larger-than-life in a fight, was simply not built for sea voyages—the sea was not kind to him at all. As his fleet approached Crete about a week after leaving Sicily, it became evident a storm had separated about twenty-five ships from the main group. His future wife Berengeria and his sister Joan were traveling on one of those ships. Richard moved ahead to the island of Rhodes and waited, worn down and ill from nearly constant seasickness, while sailors under his command searched the area for signs of the missing ships. 820 years ago today, Richard landed at Rhodes and began a stay that would last until May 1st.  Richard rested and recuperated while he waited anxiously for news of the missing ships, and of his missing fiancé and sister. The answer to those uncertainties would delay his arrival at Acre, and add an unanticipated adventure to the enterprise.

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

February 13th – Saladin’s Forces Relieve the Garrison at Acre

March 3rd – Richard the Lionheart Settles the Alice Marriage Controversy—Sort Of

March 30th – Philip II Leaves Sicily; Berengeria Arrives

April 10th – Richard the Lionheart Leaves Sicily for “Outremer”

April 20th – Philip II of France Lands at Acre

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