“Third Crusade” 820th Anniversary Series: Richard the Lionheart Arrives at Beit-Nuba; Saladin Waits in Jerusalem June 11, 2012
Posted by rwf1954 in Beit Nuba, crusades, history, Jerusalem, medieval period, Middle Ages, Richard the Lionheart, the crusades, third crusade.Tags: Beit Nuba, Crusades, Jerusalem, medieval history, Middle Ages, Richard the Lionheart, Third Crusade
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(This post is the 56th 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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820 years ago today, Richard the Lionheart for the second time brought his forces to Beit Nuba, within twelve miles of Jerusalem. Again, he consolidated his position and contemplated the next step without actually taking it. At one point, while chasing Muslim raiders in the hills near the city, he caught a brief glimpse of the city. Richard shielded his eyes. He vowed not to look at the city sacred to his faith unless he could capture it. But was capture of the city feasible? Didn’t the exact same problems remain? Instead of brutal winter storms and mud, his forces faced the merciless heat of summer. Could supply lines be established to support a siege? And could the forces he would leave behind hold the city after he took it? Indecisiveness plagued him again. While he considered his position, word came to him of a huge Muslim caravan heading from Egypt toward the Muslim positions. This decision was easy. He and his forces would go after the caravan.
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
September 5th – Richard the Lionheart Meets with Saladin’s Brother al-Adil
September 7th – Christian Forces Win the Battle of Arsuf
September 11th – Saladin Gives the Command to Dismantle Ascalon
Sepember 29th – Saladin’s Troops Nearly Take Richard the Lionheart Prisoner
October 20th – Richard the Lionheart Proposes that His Sister Marry Saladin’s Brother al-Adil
November 1st – Saladin Learns of the Death of his Nephew Taqi al-Din
November 8th – Al-Adil Hosts a Banquet for Richard the Lionheart
November 11th – Saladin’s Council Discusses Recent Negotiations with Western Christian Factions
December 12th – Saladin Falls Back to Jerusalem
December 28th – Richard the Lionheart Moves Into the Judean Hills Unopposed
January 3rd – Richard the Lionheart Moves to Within Twelve Miles of Jerusalem
January 6th – Richard the Lionheart Orders a Retreat
January 20th – Richard the Lionheart Decides to Move on Ascalon
February 20th – Richard the Lionheart Arrives in Acre to Make Peace Between Christian Factions
March 20th – Al-Adil Brings Serious Peace Offer to Richard the Lionheart
April 5th – French Army Leaves the “Crusade” After Easter Feast
April 20th – Conrad of Montferrat Is Designated Undisputed King of Jerusalem
April 28th – Conrad of Montferrat Is Assassinated in Tyre
May 5th – Henry of Champagne Becomes the New King of Jerusalem Designate
May 23rd – Richard the Lionheart Takes Darum
June 7th – Western Christian Forces Start Out from Ascalon for 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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