“Third Crusade” 820th Anniversary Series: Richard the Lionheart Meets with Saladin’s Brother al-Adil September 5, 2011
Posted by rwf1954 in al-Adil, Arsuf, crusades, history, medieval period, Middle Ages, Richard the Lionheart, Saladin, the crusades, third crusade.Tags: al-Adil, Arsuf, Crusades, medieval history, Middle Ages, Richard the Lionheart, Saladin, Third Crusade
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(This post is the 35th of what will be approximately 70 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 knew Saladin wanted to entice his forces to battle. He was fairly sure he knew where the enemy forces would try to attempt this. He decided to call for talks with al-Adil, Saladin’s brother. Saladin was happy to agree to this request and sent his brother with instructions to draw out their talks. 820 years ago today, the two men met. But Richard’s idea of talks was a demand to al-Adil for Saladin’s forces to surrender the coast and Jerusalem. Al-Adil abruptly rejected this proposal and broke off their talks. Saladin was disappointed the talks were not extended. But al-Adil did not see how else he could respond to such a ridiculous offer. It was little more than a demand for surrender. And no doubt al-Adil had preparations to make for the upcoming battle. Richard’s gambit of asking for negotiations to test al-Adil’s reaction gave him information he needed. Richard believed the Muslims would force a battle just west of the forests at Arsuf.
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
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
April 22nd – Richard the Lionheart Lands at Rhodes After His Fleet Scatters
May 1st – Richard the Lionheart Leaves Rhodes to Rescue His Sister and Fiancée
May 8th – Richard the Lionheart and His Troops Storm Limassol
May 11th – Crusaders Opposed to Conrad Visit Richard the Lionheart on Cyprus
May 12th – Richard the Lionheart Marries Princess Berengeria
May 30th – Fighting Intensifies at Acre
June 5th – Richard Leaves Famagusta for the Eastern Mediterranean Coast/Saladin Moves his Camp
June 6th – Richard the Lionheart Refused Admittance to Tyre
June 8th – Richard the Lionheart Arrives at Acre
June 11th – Saladin’s Relief Ship Sinks
June 25th – Conrad of Montferrat Leaves Acre; Saladin’s Receives Reinforcements
July 31st – Philip II of France Makes a Promise and Leaves for Home
August 2nd – Envoys Discuss Acre Surrender Terms
August 11th – Date for the First Installment of the Acre Ransom Ends in Stalemate
August 20th – Richard the Lionheart Orders the Executions of the Acre Hostages
August 22nd – Richard the Lionheart Leaves Acre to Move South Toward Jerusalem
To review a comprehensive catalog of historical fiction set during the medieval time period, go to http://www.medieval-novels.com:80/.
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