The purpose of the Third Crusade.

In 2011, Pope Benedict XVI apologized for the Crusades.Indeed, it is difficult to imagine anything more unnatural than a war in the name of Christ, based on the principle of the doctrine of non-resistance to evil.However, as noted by historians, religious motives were not among the main reasons that led, for example, four powerful European monarchs to go to win the Arabs of Jerusalem in 1189-m.So what were the goals of the Third Crusade?How and when it ended?

Previous events

In 1183, one of the greatest leaders of the Muslim world at the time - Saladin - has won strategically important city of Aleppo and Mosul.This meant that in the Middle East there was a powerful force, which represented a huge threat to the Christian states.However, the rulers krestonosskih principalities were occupied by internecine conflicts and intrigues and did not notice that all sides are surrounded by a single, and therefore a very strong opponent with a huge army.However, they did not stop to take hostile attacks against Muslims.In particular, once the knight Renaud de Chatillon, who was involved in a robbery of caravans on their way from Egypt, Saladin paid a personal insult, rape his sister goes to her fiance.For this crime he did not suffer worthy punishment by the King of Jerusalem Baldwin quarter, which has led Muslims to go to war, which is the most important battles - Battle of Ha Tinh - took place in 1187 and the year ended with the defeat of Christians.Moreover, their main military organizations - the Order of Templars and Hospitallers - were destroyed by the Saracens, and protect Jerusalem was simply no one.As a result, in September 1187 the first residents of the city was handed over to the mercy of Saladin, who, however, has shown unprecedented at the time of humanism, releasing all citizens, including soldiers, for a small ransom.

Preparation and Objective 3 Crusade (briefly)

news of these events reached Europe a few months later.The Pope could not help but call to arms "army of Christ" and soon declared Catholics around the world aim Third Crusade is the fact, to return to Jerusalem and punish the Saracens.

However, each of the three monarchs who have expressed a desire to go to fight "to the glory of Christ," were his motives.Thus, the main objective of 3 crusade saw Richard the Lionheart, recently entered the English throne as an opportunity to glorify themselves heroic deeds and win fame as a great warrior.As for King Philip II of France and the German Emperor Frederick the First, they hoped to consolidate his power within their own countries by getting rid of unwanted knights, as well as to strengthen influence in the world political arena.Thus, there is no unity among Christian leaders were not, and each of them preferred to act alone.Therefore, talking about the progress and the aim of the Third Crusade (1189-1192 gg.), Should be considered the maneuvers of the English, German and French troops, as well as the actions of their leaders separately.

Speech by Richard the Lionheart and Philip II

before sending to Palestine the British managed to raise far more money than the rest of the participating countries combined.The fact that many English-lenders believed that the aim of the Third Crusade - a rapid enrichment of the king at the expense of values ​​that can be selected in case of a victory for Muslims and Jews, and so they gladly supplied the money to Richard, taking the pledge royalground.When an order was issued to act, the troops were loaded onto ships and went to the Holy Land by sea.King himself went to Italy and met on the way to the French monarch.Since the formation of Richard and Philip's troops were moving slowly enough, they arrived in Sicily in the autumn, and the army of the Crusaders had to be at the apartment and wait for spring.During downtime English king had absentia quarrel with the German emperor, and the French left for Palestine in March, without allies, as he was told that the position of local Christians has deteriorated further.

Capture Cyprus

King Richard went on a campaign in April 1191.But along the way he had to grab Cyprus, as the local ruler captured his bride Berengaria of Navarre.The English did not have enough strength to hold the island for a long time.In addition, the aim of the Third Crusade was very different, so they sold it in time had appeared Guy de Lusignan.Last at the time was considered the titular king of Jerusalem, captured by Saladin, and he thus managed not only to get possession of the funny money this tidbit as Cyprus, but also to persuade Richard to take part in the siege of Acre, where there were troops of Philip.This does not meet the true purpose of the Third Crusade, but Lusignan benefited personally.

Speech Frederick Barbarossa

Historians believe that the objectives of the Third Crusade, whose members were riven by internal contradictions, would have been achieved if they were directed by the German Emperor.The fact that Frederick Barbarossa at the time was older and more experienced than the other two monarchs.He thoroughly prepared for his speech, made a pact with the Byzantine emperor, which even mentions such details as the delivery of food by German crusaders at a predetermined price.At the same time, Friedrich started a double play and began to negotiate with the Serbs and Bulgarians, ready to rise up against Byzantium and recognize his power in exchange for certain privileges.Thus, although initially the aim of the Third Crusade was designated as the liberation of Jerusalem, the German Emperor for some time even doubted, not whether to start a war with the Byzantine Empire for supremacy in the Balkans.

death of Barbarossa

Whatever it was, at the end of March 1191 German troops began crossing the Bosporus.Next, the way they pass through the territory of Asia Minor occupied by the Seljuk Turks, who frequently attacked and weakened the army of the Crusaders.To punish them, it was given a battle near the town of Iconium, after which the German army received a large indemnity provisions and fodder.Finally, the German army entered the territory of the Armenian kingdom of Cilicia, which has traditionally been friendly to the Crusaders.However, on June 9 while crossing a turbulent river Kalikadn (Selif) old emperor fell from his horse into the water in a heavy armor and drowned.The news of this event was overjoyed Saladin, who understood that now the target 3 Christian crusade is unlikely to be achieved.After the death of Frederick the majority of his troops returned home, and a small detachment went to Acre, where, however, does not show itself.

siege of Acre and the Battle of Arsuf

As most historians agree, the question of what was the original purpose of the Third Crusade, the answer may be one - the siege of Jerusalem.However, modern man is hard to understand why, instead of being sent to the Holy City, the troops of the Christian kings three long years precipitated Acre, which has no strategic importance.And during that time, they quarreled thoroughly, and after the capture of the city in Syria, there is only the English King Richard the army, several influential Dukes from different countries with their troops, as well as the Knights Templars and the Hospitallers.These remnants of the army of the Crusaders made the transition to Arsuf and 7 September defeated the Saracens.Next they went to Jerusalem, and Richard felt he was not ready to continue the war, and asked Saladin a truce.However, the Muslim ruler of his refusal to answer, knowing that will never be the objective of the Third Crusade, 1096-1099 years, Christians do not return, and they will not be able to revive the then founded the Kingdom of Jerusalem.

end of the war

Returning to France, King Philip began to take revenge on every kind to Richard for all the insults that he struck him during the campaign.Feeling that the throne underneath can staggered English monarch concluded a humiliating peace on the terms of Saladin and went home, leaving Jerusalem in Muslim hands.

Was the objective of the Third Crusade (event table data)?

Thus, all the efforts of the Christian world to return to the Holy Land were in vain, and the huge human casualties nor to no avail.Below is a table on which you can keep track of the highlights of the events under consideration.

So, the question of what was the purpose of the Third Crusade, the answer is: the capture of Jerusalem.Also, now you know some of the facts that explain why she has not been reached.