the peace of 1192 between Saladin and Richard I

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 Christian Europe began a series of eight crusades against the Muslim armies of the Middle East in 1096 under the direction of various Popes of Rome and the leadership of Europe’s kings, nobles and knights. The First Crusade, led by the French, was the most successful as it resulted in the Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem which succeeded for a century and survived in some form for another century. The Crusaders left behind many monuments in the Levant: castles, churches and fortresses.

The First Crusade (1096-99). When the Byzantine emperor, who had been defeated by the Seljakian Turks, appealed to the West for help to take Jerusalem from Islam Pope Urban II eventually agreed to help, in November 1095. The armies were led by Frenchmen: Raymond of Toulouse, Godfrey of Bouillon, Bohemund of Otranto, his nephew Tancred, and Robert of Normandy. In 1098 they took Antioch, and then Jerusalem in 1099. Godfrey ruled as King of Jerusalem, followed by his brother Baldwin I, and then their cousin, Baldwin II who had no sons. His daughter, Queen Melisende, ruled (1131-1153) followed by her sons, Baldwin III, and Amalric I.

The Second Crusade (1147-49). Because Edessa was seized by Moslem forces. Pope Eugenius III arranged for another crusade led by Louis VII of France and Conrad III of Germany but it terminated without fighting.

The Third Crusade (1188-92). The Sultan Saladin consolidated power and captured Jerusalem in 1187. Frederick Barbarossa, Philip Augustus of France and Henry II of England combined together but Barbarossa was drowned and Henry II died. His son, Richard I (“the Lionheart”) and Philip II established the 2nd Kingdom of Jerusalem, not in Jerusalem but on the North Coast with Acre/Acco as its capital. Richard defeated Saladin at Arsuf (1191) and the Plain of Sharon (1192) but his army was reduced and he fell ill. Peace terms were negotiated by Saladin’s brother, Saif adDin, as Richard only ever met Saladin in battle. The Christians retained the port of Joppa/Jaffa (which facilitated pilgrimage), free and safe passage to the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem was guaranteed, commerce was protected and the Crusaders went home.

Richard neither reached Jerusalem nor met Saladin. The above statue erected at the walls of Jerusalem depicts their mutual respect with artistic imagination.

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