AMONG the cities of the East, Acre, situated on a promontory at the foot of Mount Carmel, and washed by the waters of the Mediterranean, was one of the most important in the eyes of the crusaders. Surrounded on the land side with deep ditches, fortified with high walls and strong towers, that dominated over promontory and plain, and frequented by mariners and merchants from all parts of Europe and Asia, the capture and recovery of the place might well engage the attention of warriors. Accordingly Saladin, after his victory at Tiberias, hastened to make himself master of Acre; and.Guy de Lusignan, on regaining liberty, devoted his whole energies to the task of wresting it from Saladin's grasp.
The siege of Acre commenced in the autumn of 1189. Guy de Lusignan at first had not more than nine thousand men under his banner; and Saladin treated the Christian King's operations with some degree of contempt. Ere long, however, the Oriental warrior became alarmed. In fact, there were rumors of aid from Europe; and the Sultan, roused to exertion, assembled a numerous army, approached Acre, occupied all the high ground in the neighborhood, and placed Guy, who had come as a besieger, in the predicament of being besieged. Nevertheless, the Christians of the East maintained their position, and soon found themselves reinforced by crusaders from Denmark, from Friesland, and from almost every country in Europe, among whom was Baldwin, Archbishop of Canterbury, who had preceded the English King, with five hundred men, under a banner on which was inscribed the name of Thomas a Becket.
The rapid influx of crusaders, and the daily arrival of ships from Europe, inspired the Moslems with dismay; and many of Saladin's emirs counselled a retreat. The Sultan, however, contrived to preserve his equanimity, and endeavored to dispel their fears. " This," said he, "is a trick. These Christians take away their ships by night and bring them back again at dawn of day, as if they were newly arrived, for the purpose of making a display of strength." Saladin, however, was not ignorant of the actual state of affairs, and was, in reality, torn with anxiety, while exhibiting "a calm and fearless countenance."
Such was the situation of the armies that covered the plain of Acre, when the crusaders resolved on giving Saladin battle. Leaving the brave Geoffrey de Lusignan to protect their camp, they advanced to the attack, and their onslaught was so fierce, that Saladin's army gave way. The Sultan was in the utmost peril; but, supported by the Mamelukes, he stood his ground, and, rallying his men, renewed the combat. The fortune of the day soon changed; and Saladin's horsemen charging impetuously, first destroyed the Frankish cavalry, and then dispersed the Knights of the Temple.
In vain did Geoffrey de Lusignan come to the rescue, and use all his efforts to rally the fugitives. The struggle proved hopeless; the slaughter was terrible, and the total destruction of the Christians would have been inevitable, had not Geoffrey stayed the rush with sufficient success to save the camp. As it was, the crusaders suffered severely, and they owed their safety, not to their own exertions, but to the disorder of their foes.
Saladin did not attempt to follow up the advantage he had won. In truth, the great Sultan was in no position to do so. Provisions were scarce; winter was approaching; and prudence compelled him to retire to the mountains. But no sooner did spring return, than he hastened to the encounter; and, with drums beating and banners flying, his mighty army descended to the plain. The Christians were somewhat dismayed at sight of such foes; and well nigh in despair, when three wooden towers, constructed by them during winter, were assailed by Greek fire and consumed, as if struck by lightning. Moreover, an Egyptian fleet that entered the port added to their danger; and Saladin's attacks were so incessant, that no repose could be got, night or day. Conflict after conflict took place; and on each occasion the crusaders had the worst.
About this stage of the operations, the Duke of Suabia, who had halted for a time at Antioch, arrived at Acre. But the crusaders, who had heard of the magnificent army led from Germany by Frederick Barbarossa, were mortified when only five thousand men appeared. The Duke, however, was ambitious of fifgualising liis arrival by some memorable exploit, and insisted on immediately attacking the foe. The Christian leaders agreed, all the more readily, perhaps, that Saladin was known to be a prey to sickness. But the Sultan, albeit too unwell to mount on horseback, caused himself to be carried to the battle, and enacted the part of general with so much skill, that the crusaders, after fighting for a whole day, returned to their camp baillcd and dispirited.
Nor was this the worst. New misfortunes befel tho crusaders. Famine and disease attacked the camp; and death carried off many of the principal warriors. At the same time, the circumstance of Sybil, wife of Guy de Lusignan, with her two children, going the way of all flesh, caused fresh discord; for Guy was utterly disinclined to part with the crown which he had worn as her husband; and Conrad of Montferrat, having by a scandalous intrigue married Sybil's younger sister, Isabel, who was the heiress, proved himself a formidable rival. During winter, the army was divided into two parties, ever on the eve of conflict; and the condition of the crusaders was in every respect deplorable, when the spring of 1191 came; and, with spring, Philip Augustus and the warriors of France.
Never was king more welcome than Philip. His presence revived the hopes of the besiegers, and nerved them for new encounters. After pitching their tents w ithin bowshot of the enemy's lines, the French hastened to the attack. But the efforts made by Philip being promptly met, were unsuccessful; and the courage of the crusaders again drooped. Besides, the French monarch's arrival furnished Saladin with a fair excuse for rousing all Moslems to arms; and warriors from two continents flocked to his standard.
While the tents of martial tribes, gathered from Asia and Africa, covered hills, and valleys, and plains, and while the soldiers of the cross were thinking anxiously of what a day might bring forth, the appearance of the English fleet, on the 8th of June, diffused general joy. A clangor of trumpets and musical instruments hailed the coming of Coeur de Lion; and the French King, hastening to the shore, received his royal rival with the utmost courtesy, and, with chivalrous gallantry, lifted Berengaria from the boat to the beach. The day was kept as a jubilee; wine was drunk from costly cups; the deeds of the ancients were recited; popular ballads were sung; harps, pipes, and timbrels sounded on every side; and when night, which was passed in dancing, set in, wax torches and flaming lights sparkled in such profusion, that the Turks fancied the valley was on fire.
The presence of the English might well, indeed, revive the fainting courage of the Christians in the East. No fear could be entertained of that feudal army being found wanting on the day of trial. Coeur de Lion was considered as quite a host in himself; and the men whom he led were proud of the prowess, and inspired by the spirit of their King. Moreover, he was accompanied by Anglo-Norman nobles, who, as war chiefs, had no rivals in Europe. William Ferrars, Earl of Derby; Roger Bigod, Earl of Norfolk; Robert Fitz-Parnel, Earl of Leceister; Hubert Walter, Bishop of Salisbury; Ralph Glanville, Justiciary of England; Hugh de Gourney, grandson of Girard, who fought in Palestine with Robert Curthoso; Richard, Earl of Clare, head of that family which took so conspicuous a part in the conquest of Ireland; and Hugh Neville, heir-male of that Norman whose name figures in Dug-dale as the Conqueror's admiral -- were the captains who now encamped around the royal standard of England under the walls of Acre.
But the grandeur of the English crusaders tended to inspire hatred in the breasts of their rivals, and, in a few days, discord appeared. Any feelings of friendship that ever existed between Richard and Philip had evaporated at Messina; and, within a week after their re-union, disputes about the disposal of the crown of Jerusalem revived the old feud. Richard and the English, supported by the Pisans and the Knights of St. John, advocated the claim of Guy de Lusignan, Philip, allying himself with the Germans, the Genoese, and the Knights of the Temple, took part with Conrad of Montferrat. The two parties, ever ready to come to blows, were in no temper to unite their arms against the infidels. They were still contending, when Cajur de Lion was prostrated with sickness.
While Richard lay in his tent, Philip resolved to take Acre without English aid; and, having erected machines of war, gave orders for an assault. The attempt, though boldly made, entirely failed; and subsequent efforts were not more successful. In one of these, Alberic Clements, a man renowned for valor, won immortal fame. Seeing the French toiling to no purpose, he exclaimed -- "This day I will enter into the city of Acre, or perish, if it please God!" and boldly mounted a ladder. As he reached the top of the wall, the Turks surrounded him on all sides; and the French, who were on the point of following, were so overwhelmed by the pressure of numbers on the ladder, that many were bruised to death, and others were dragged away fearfully injured. Alone and overpowered, Alberic struggled till he was pierced with countless wounds, and died, as he had wished, a martyr in his Redeemer's cause. The French were much discouraged by their loss, and gave themselves up to lamentation and mourning.
While Philip Augustus was vainly endeavoring to reduce Acre without English aid, King Richard was stretched on a" couch of languishing. But, however weak might be the flesh of Coeur de Lion, his spirit was willing. Hoping to have the glory of accomplishing that in which his rival had failed, he ordered his soldiers to prepare for an assault, and caused himself to bo carried to the walls, that he might, by his presence, animate them to deeds of heroism. Accordingly, everything was arranged; and the English advanced to the attack, the King appearing among them on a silken bed, with an arbalist, from which he discharged arrows and darts at the besieged. Encouraged by inspiriting words and promises of reward, the English wrought deeds of valor; and Richard, with his sling, slew many of the foe, among others a man who boastfully displayed himself on the ramparts, wearing the armor of Alberic Clements. But the height of the walls and the valor of the Turks baffled all efforts to take the city; and the English were fain, as the French had been, to abandon the assault in despair.
Repeated failures convinced the Kings of England and France of the impolicy of their conduct, and, harmony having been restored, they, in compact, besieged the city with great ardor. But the Turks were in an unyielding mood. Obstinately resisting every attack, and throwing Greek fire, they kept the besiegers at bay. Many fierce and sanguinary conflicts took place between Saladin and the crusaders, but neither side, for a time, gained any decided advantage.
Nevertheless, the crusaders persevered with their enterprise. Every day new means were tried to reduce the city; and the besieged, suffering from famine and fatigue, proposed to capitulate. But Philip vowed to slaughter every Moslem, unless all the cities taken from the Christians were restored; and the emirs, indignant at the demand, declared that they would rather die beneath the ruins of Acre than consent to such terms. "We will defend the city," said they with decision, " as the lion defends his bloodstained lair."
Events did not justify the boast of the emirs. For some days, indeed, they continued to resist with obstinacy. But at length, giving way to despair, they sent pigeons with intimation of their position to Saladin, and resolved on leaving the city by night, with the hope of escaping to the Sultan's camp. Their project, however, became known to the crusaders, who kept so strict a watch, that egress was impossible. Under these circumstances, the emirs consented to yield Acre, and to leave thousands as captives, on condition that the soldiers composing the garrison, leaving behind their arms and property, were allowed to depart without molestation. The two Kings agreed to the terms; the Turks marched out, and the crusaders entering, planted the Christian standard on the ramparts; and Hugh do Gourney divided the spoil between the two armies in such a way as to prevent disputes.
On this occasion, Richard displayed a degree of imprudence destined to cost him dear. After entering Acre, he not only offended the King of France by taking possession of the palace, but insulted the Duke of Austria by ordering that prince's banner to be pulled down from the walls, thrown into the ditch, and replaced by the standard of England. Little notice appears to have been taken of these matters at the time. Philip Augustus quietly became the guest of the Templars, and Leopold of Austria digested the insult as he best could. But both "bit their gloves" and treasured up the wrong.
It soon became evident, that Richard and Philip could not act amicably together; and the French King, under pretext of suffering from the climate, intimated his intention of returning to Europe. Richard offered no opposition, but exacted an oath that his territories should not be attacked in his absence. Having taken the oath, Philip left his army under the Duke of Burgundy's command, and departed, not without significant hints from the assembled crusaders that he was regarded as a deserter.
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From John G. Edgar
The Crusades and the Crusaders, 1860
