The purpose of the Third Crusade. The goals of the 3rd Crusade and the results

In 2011, Pope Benedict XVI apologized for the Crusades. Indeed, it is difficult to imagine something more unnatural than a war in the name of Christ, based on the principle of non-resistance to evil by violence. However, as historians note, religious motives were far from being the main reasons for, for example, the four powerful European monarchs to go to conquer Jerusalem from the Arabs in 1189. So what were the goals of the Third Crusade? What and when did it end?

Prior Events

In 1183, one of the greatest leaders of the Muslim world of that time - Saladin - conquered the strategically important cities of Aleppo and Mosul. This meant that a powerful force appeared in the Middle East, which posed a huge threat to Christian states. However, the rulers of the Crusader principalities were occupied with internecine conflicts and intrigues and did not notice that they were surrounded on all sides by a single, and therefore very strong enemy with a huge army. At the same time, they did not cease to undertake hostile attacks against Muslims. In particular, one day the knight Reno de Chatillon, who was engaged in the robbery of caravans coming from Egypt, inflicted a personal insult to Saladin, raping his sister, who went to her fiancé. For this crime, he did not bear the proper punishment from the Jerusalem King Baldwin the Fourth, which gave rise to the Muslims to start a war, the most important battle of which - the battle of Hatinna - took place in 1187 and ended in the defeat of Christians. Moreover, their main military organizations - the orders of the Templars and Hospitallers - were destroyed by the Saracens, and there was simply no one to defend Jerusalem. As a result, in September 1187 the city was surrendered to the mercy of Saladin, who, however, displayed humanism unprecedented at the time, releasing all the townspeople, including the soldiers, for a small ransom.

Preparation and Goal 3 of the Crusade (briefly)

The news of these events reached Europe only a few months later. The Pope simply could not help calling the "Christian army" to arms and soon declared to Catholics around the world the goal of the Third Crusade, which was to return Jerusalem and punish the Saracens.

However, each of the three monarchs, who expressed a desire to go to battle "for the glory of Christ," had their own motives. Thus, the main goal of the 3rd Crusade was seen by Richard the Lionheart, who had recently entered the English throne, as an opportunity to glorify himself with heroic deeds and win the glory of a great warrior. As for the French King Philip II and the German Emperor Frederick the First, they hoped thus to consolidate their power within their own states, getting rid of the disagreeable knights, and also to increase their influence in the world political arena. Thus, there was no unity between the Christian leaders, and each of them preferred to act independently. Therefore, when talking about the course and purpose of the Third Crusade (1189-1192), one should consider the maneuvers of the British, German and French troops, as well as the actions of their generals separately.

Speech by Richard the Lionheart and Philip the Second

Before sending to Palestine, the British managed to raise significantly more funds than the other participating countries combined. The fact is that many British moneylenders believed that the goal of the Third Crusade was the rapid enrichment of the king at the expense of values that could be taken away if Muslims and Jews were victorious, and therefore they gladly supplied Richard's money by taking the royal Of the earth. When an order was issued to speak, the troops were loaded onto ships and went to the Holy Land by sea. The king himself went to Italy, meeting on the way with the French monarch. Since the suite of Richard and the army of Philippe moved slowly enough, they arrived in Sicily only in the autumn, and the army of the Crusaders had to be in apartments and wait for spring. During the forced downtime, the English king managed to quarrel in absentia with the German Emperor, and the French departed to Palestine in March without allies, as he was informed that the position of local Christians had worsened even more.

The Capture of Cyprus

King Richard went on a campaign in April 1191. However, on the way he had to seize Cyprus, as the local ruler took prisoner his bride Berengaria of Navarre. The English did not have enough strength to hold the island for a long time. In addition, the goal of the Third Crusade was completely different, so they sold it on time to Guy de Lusignan. The latter at that time was considered the titular king of Jerusalem, captured by Saladin, and so he managed not only to get for such ridiculous money such a tasty morsel as Cyprus, but also to persuade Richard to take part in the siege of Aqra, where Philip's troops were already stationed. This did not correspond in any way to the true goal of the Third Crusade, but it was personally beneficial to Lusignan.

Speech by Friedrich Barbarossa

Historians believe that the goals of the Third Crusade, whose participants were torn apart by internal contradictions, would have been achieved if they had been led by the German emperor. The fact is that Friedrich Barbarossa at that time was older and more experienced than the other two monarchs. He thoroughly prepared for his speech, concluding an agreement with the Byzantine emperor, which even specified such details as the delivery of food to the German crusaders at pre-determined prices. At the same time, Friedrich began a double game and began to negotiate with the Serbs and Bulgarians, ready to rebel against Byzantium and recognize his power in exchange for some privileges. Thus, although originally the goal of the Third Crusade was designated as the liberation of Jerusalem, the German Emperor hesitated for some time, and whether to start a war with Byzantium for domination in the Balkans.

The death of Barbarossa

Be that as it may, in the end of March, 1191, the crossing of the German troops across the Bosporus began. Further their way passed through the territories of Asia Minor occupied by Seljuk Turks, who often attacked and weakened the army of the Crusaders. To punish them, a battle was given near the city of Iconium, after which the German army received a large contribution of provisions and forage. Finally, the German army entered the territory of the Cilician Armenian kingdom, which traditionally was friendly to the Crusaders. However, on June 9, while crossing the stormy river Kalikadn (Selif), the elderly emperor fell from the horse into the water in heavy armor and drowned. The news of this event was overwhelmingly pleased Saladin, who understood that now the goal of the 3rd Crusade by Christians is unlikely to be achieved. After the death of Friedrich, most of his troops returned home, and a small detachment went to Akra, where, however, did not prove himself.

Siege of Aqra and Battle of Arsuf

As most historians agree, the answer to the question of what was the original purpose of the Third Crusade may be one - the siege of Jerusalem. However, it is difficult for a modern person to understand why, instead of heading to the Holy City, the troops of Christian kings for three long years besieged Akra, which has no strategic significance. And during this time they quarreled thoroughly, and after the capture of the city in Syria, only English King Richard remained with the army, several influential dukes from different countries with their detachments, as well as knights of the Templars and the Hospitallers. These remnants of the army of the Crusaders made the transition to Arsuf and on September 7 routed the Saracens army. Then they went to Jerusalem, and Richard felt that he was not ready to continue the war, and asked Saladin for a truce. However, the ruler of the Muslims refused him, knowing that the goal of the Third Crusade would never be achieved, Christians would not return 1096-1099, and they would not be able to revive the then established Jerusalem Kingdom.

End of the war

Returning to France, King Philippe began to avenge Richard for all the insults he inflicted during the campaign. Feeling that the throne under him could stagger, the English monarch concluded a humiliating peace on the terms of Saladin and went home, leaving Jerusalem in the hands of Muslims.

Was the goal of the Third Crusade achieved ( event table by year)?

Thus, all the efforts of the Christian world to return to the holy land were in vain, and huge human sacrifices did not lead to anything. Below is a table on which you can trace the main points of the events we are considering.

So, to the question of what was the goal of the Third Crusade, the answer is: the seizure of Jerusalem. In addition, now you know some facts explaining why it was not achieved.