Importance of 3rd Crusade in Lit.

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Mariana Mtanous
May 9, 2014
History 9-1
Mrs. Salerno
The Importance of the Third Crusade
Throughout history, war has been one of the main means to achieve a purpose, whether
good or bad. This was no exception for the papacy during the Middle Ages. In the 1100s, the
Church promoted a series of expeditions, known as Crusades, to recover the Holy Land which
had been in control of the Muslims since 683.
The concept of "holy war" was developed partially as a result of organized Christians
fighting Muslims in Sicily and Spain during the 11th century. Even though the Crusades were
directed to recover Jerusalem from the Muslims, expansionism and desire for adventure,
conquest and plunder were really influential ideas that attracted Christians to serve the cause.
Crusaders would take knightly vows and in exchange they were rewarded with protection for
their lands. Legal proceedings against them were also forgotten and they were granted
indulgences, which were the forgiveness of their sins for the rest of their lives. During this times,
popes used their authority to put armies together, appoint leaders, who were often bishops, and
send them on missions. This was part of the reason for the failure of the Crusades, given that the
appointed bishops for military leaders had no idea of how to approach a battle. Gradually the
Western Church developed new kinds of holy warriors: military monks from orders like the
Knights Hospitaller and the Knights of the Temple of Zion (Templar). These men were both
monks and soldiers. They took vows for each and they trained all their lives to fight but, being
monks, could not do anything inappropriate in battle. In theory they were the perfect soldiers.
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Although the Crusades were not the best idea, they brought many benefits to Europe.
They allowed Europe to take advantage of the East for the first time since Ancient Rome, they
temporarily stopped the internal fights in the West and they gave the Europeans a sense of self
confidence. The Crusades were an opportunity to expand Europeans' horizons militarily,
economically, culturally and politically. Nine crusades are officially recognized, even though
there were many others. One of the most important was the Third Crusade.
The Third Crusade in 1189 was promoted by Pope Gregory VIII and led, with the support
of Baldwin the Archbishop of Canterbury, by the most powerful monarchs of the time: the
emperor of the Holy Empire, Frederick Barbarossa I of Germany; the king of France, Philip II
and the king of England, Richard Lionheart. Its goal was to recover Jerusalem from Saladin, a
Muslim leader who guided a successful campaign against the Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem in
1187. The Crusaders army was huge, but before it could reach its destiny it crumbled, because
their leader, emperor Frederick I, drowned in the Saleph River in Asia Minor on June 10th, 1190
causing most of his army to decide to retreat because they had no leader.
Soon after, Richard and Philip quarreled and tried to gain the loyalty of each other's army
through bribes. Nevertheless it only resulted with King Philip returning to France. Although
England was now alone, in 1191, King Richard was able to capture Arsuf on April and start
seizing Acre in June. In the latter, he slaughtered 2,700 captives since Saladin was not able to
pay a ransom for their freedom fast enough, as King Richard demanded.
Even though the Muslim leader and Lionheart were enemies, Saladin respected Richard
for his great military skills. This respect was displayed when during a melee on August 1192,
Richard's horse was severely wounded and Saladin sent a horse as replacement for the previous
one through the battle field to allow Richard to be able to fight again. Finally on September of
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1192, after many battles, King Richard and Saladin made an agreement. The truce declared that
Jerusalem would be still be under Muslim control, but it allowed unarmed Christian pilgrims to
visit holy places in the city.
Despite the fact that the initial purpose of the Crusade was not achieved, the final result is
admirable because it was attained by less than half of the army that was gathered at the
beginning, showing Lionheart's amazing military skills. Nonetheless, when Richard was
returning home, he was kidnapped and imprisoned by Leopold, the Duke of Austria. The king's
capture could have been out of fear for him. In England, the nobles had been breaking the rules
while Richard was gone. Now he was coming back after many victories and battles that made
him famous and powerful among his people, and the nobles feared his return. Richard was
released on February 1194, after the 150,000 marks ransom was paid.
The Third Crusade, also called the King's Crusade, had a big influence on later literary
works and many stories. The great adventures of Crusaders became an excellent deed to be told.
One of the books that is based on the history of the Third Crusade and of legends inspired by this
same war is Ivanhoe by Sir Walter Scott. This great novel tells the adventures of Wilfred of
Ivanhoe, a Saxon descendant who joins Richard's army and becomes the king's right hand, when
he returns home from the Crusades. The story takes place in the 12th century, when Lionheart
goes back to England after he is freed from his imprisonment in Austria by paying a ransom.
Although the plot is pure fiction, the story is a brilliant scenario of the times it is placed in. The
daily life of a peasant, the rejection of Gentiles by the Europeans, the significance of the Code of
Chivalry or the problems with the Knight's Orders, are just a few examples of how a few words
well written give the reader a true taste of the times after the Kings' Crusade. Sir Walter
particularly stresses the relationship between Saxons and Normans and how it evolved.
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Novels like this, prove that historical events, like the Kings' Crusade, affect society in
more than one way. Its importance transcended time and became a story worth to be told. Giving
a taste of the Medieval world, it allows modern society to explore with imagination events in
history that greatly influenced Europe and the world. Ivanhoe displays how the Third Crusade
reached the intellect of men and provided excellent storylines to be told and read throughout the
centuries, remarking its importance and influence in today's world.

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Mtanous1

The Importance of the Third Crusade

had been in control of the Muslims since 683.

confidence. The Crusades were an opportunity to expand Europeans' horizons militarily,

visit holy places in the city.

centuries, remarking its importance and influence in today's world.

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