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Battle of Jaffa

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	Battle of Jaffa
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	Topics Battle of Jaffa Topic Home The Battle of Jaffa took place during the CrusadesCrusades Summary The Crusades were a series of military campaigns waged in the name of Christendom This term refers to a particular political... , as one of a series of campaigns between SaladinSaladin Saladin or Salah al-Din was a twelfth century Kurdish Muslim warrior from Tikrit, in present day northern Iraq, who f... 's army and the forces of King Richard I of England. It was the final battle of the Third CrusadeThird Crusade The Third Crusade was an attempt by European leaders to reconquer the Holy Land from Saladin.... , after which Saladin and King Richard were able to negotiate a truce. Although the crusaders never regained possession of Jerusalem, ChristianChristian Summary A Christian is a follower of Jesus of Nazareth, referred to as Christ.... pilgrims were permitted entry into the city, and the crusaders were able to retain control of a sizable strip of land stretching from AcreAcre, Israel Summary The city of Acre is in the Western Galilee district in northern Israel.... to Jaffa. Although largely a footnote among the greater events that unfolded during the crusades, it was a decisive encounter, illustrating both the determined spirit of Saladin, and the reckless bravery of Richard. It was the final encounter before the treaty between Richard and Saladin was concluded and helped anchor the crusader presence in the south, and ensure, at least briefly, the perimeter of the Christian realm in the Holy Land. Prelude On September 7, 1191, after the Battle of ArsufBattle of Arsuf The Battle of Arsuf was a battle of the Third Crusade in which Richard I of England defeated Saladin at Arsuf.... , the Crusader army proceeded from ArsufArsuf Summary Arsuf was an ancient city and fortress located in Israel, about 15 kilometres north of Tel Aviv, on a cliff above Mediterran... to JaffaJaffa Jaffa, is an ancient port city located in Israel on the Mediterranean Sea.... , which the Crusaders took and fortified. Jaffa, they hoped, would be the base of operations in a drive to reconquer JerusalemJerusalem Jerusalem is Israel's capital and largest city, with a population of 724,000 contained in 123 km.... itself. As the winter of 1191-1192 approached, active campaigning was abandoned and further sporadic negotiations between Richard and SaladinSaladin Saladin or Salah al-Din was a twelfth century Kurdish Muslim warrior from Tikrit, in present day northern Iraq, who f... were taken up, though without any immediate result. During the winter months, Richard's men occupied and refortified AscalonAscalon The name Ascalon can refer to a number of possible topics:... , whose fortifications had earlier been razed by Saladin. The spring of 1192 saw continued negotiations and further skirmishing between the opposing forces. During this period, Richard began to receive disturbing news of the activities of his brother John and Philip Augustus. As the spring gave way to summer, it became evident that Richard would have to return soon to EnglandEngland England is the largest and most populous constituent country of the United Kingdom.... to safeguard his own interests there. Battle By July 5, 1192, Richard began his northward withdrawal from the Holy LandHoly Land The expression The Holy Land generally refers to the Land of Israel, otherwise known as the region of Palestine.... . Having realized that Jerusalem would not be defensible, he began the retreat of Crusader forces from hostile territory. Almost immediately after Richard's withdrawal, Saladin laid siegeSiege A siege is a military blockade and assault of a city or fortress with the intent of conquering by force or attrition.... to the town of Jaffa which had served as a base of operations for Richard during his previous march inland towards Jerusalem. Saladin's soldiers successfully stormed the walls; only Jaffa's citadelCitadel A citadel is a fortress for protecting a town, sometimes with a castle in its middle.... held out and the defenders managed to send word of their plight. Richard gathered a small group of troops and began his journey back to the city. Upon seeing MuslimMuslim A Muslim is an adherent of Islam.... banners flying from the walls, he falsely believed the town to be a lost cause, until a defender swam out to his flagship and informed him of the citadel's dire situation. Still in his sailor's deck shoes, Richard leaped recklessly into the sea and waded through the waves to reach the beach. Richard again showed his bravery and worth on the field, leading fifty-four knights and 2,000 GenoeseGenoa Genoa is a city and a seaport in northern Italy, the capital of the Province of Genoa and of the region of Liguria.... and PisanPisa Pisa is a city in Tuscany, central Italy, on the right bank of the mouth of the Arno River on the Tyrrhenian Sea.... crossbowmenCrossbow A crossbow is a weapon. consisting of a bow mounted on a stock that fires projectiles.... into battle. Fighting was intense and the King's horse was felled by a volley of arrows. When Saladin saw Richard fighting on foot, he ordered a horse from his own stables to be sent as a replacement. The Lionheart and his knights paired off and lowered their lances in the direction of the 7,000-strong force of Muslim cavalryCavalry Soldiers or warriors who fought mounted on horseback are commonly known as cavalry .... . Backed by a barage of cross-bow bolts from his archers, the King forced Saladin's troops back into the city, where they were surrounded and defeated. Richard took back Jaffa for the crusaders.