The Third Crusade

The third crusade, which lasted from 1189 through 1192, more formally known as
the King’s Crusade, was an effort made by the European chief officials to
triumph over the Holy Land once again from Saladin. It was this expedition that
consisted of the unifying of the Muslims, defeats made by Saladin, and the
collapse of Jerusalem. It was through these things that organization was
displayed as the third crusade began to unfold.

It was after the practical failure of the second crusade, that Nur al Din, who
was part of the Turkish Zengid dynasty, who ruled over the empire known as the
Syrian province. In addition to him having power over this area, he also had
power over Damascus. In order to provide unification for the Muslims, he focused
on the Fatmid dynasty who were from Egypt. He decided to call upon his most
trusted commander, Shiruk to carry out a military journey to the Nile, with his
nephew Saladin. At the beginning of this endeavor, the soldiers came to Cairo,
were they camped while they requested assistance from the king of Jerusalem. As
a result, they received help from an army sent to them through the king
granting their appeal.

The first major attack with this newly formed army was on Antioch, which caused
the execution of many Christian forces, and the taking over of several Crusaders
leaders. The primary one who was captured was the prince of Antioch himself-
Bohemond II. It was after this gruesome event that Nur al Din decided to send
the scalps of the Christians he had taken back to Egypt so that they might be
displayed in honor and pride for the actions that he had committed, claiming
himself as victorious, as he now had control over all of Egypt and Syria.

In addition to Nur al Din’s successes, Saladin had several as well. "His uncle,
Shirkuh had now taken the position of vizier of Egypt, but after only two weeks
of ruling, he died suddenly in 1169, leaving his position to his nephew Saladin."(Reston 89)
In addition to his uncle dying, Nur al Din also passed away in 1174, leaving his
own kingdom to his son As-Salih, who was only eleven years old. It was As-Salih
who made the decision that Saladin was the only man who was wise enough to imply
the concept of jihad against the many crusaders. He experienced many successes,
which included becoming sultan of both Syria and Egypt, in addition to being the
initiator of the Ayyubid Empire.

After the success experienced, the fall of Jerusalem was quick to proceed,
wherein it was Saladin’s chance to stand up against this very kingdom that he
was opposed to. The fight consisted of uniting the Muslims and meeting the
Christians at a lake close to Galilee. “It ended in the route of their army and
the capture of their king. Even the Holy Cross, which they had carried in the
midst of the fight, became spoil of the conqueror.”(Crompton 57) The Crusader army was
crushed during the battle, but at the end of that very year, Saladin had taken
both Acre and Jerusalem which was the reason for the city’s collapse, the main focal point and ultimately the end of the third crusade.

Crompton, Samuel W. The Third Crusade: Richard the Lionhearted vs. Saladin. Chelsea House Publishers: United States, 2004.

Reston, James. Warriors of God: Ruchard the Lionhearted and Saladin in the Third Crusade. Random House Publishers: United States, 2001.