The Third Crusade (1189–1192)
The Third Crusade – Christendom Strikes Back
Deus Vult! Long live the Lionheart!
1187 – Battle of Hattin:
Saladin defeats Crusader forces and retakes Jerusalem.
1189 – Richard, Philip, and Frederick Answer the Call:
The greatest monarchs take up the sword of Christ.
1191 – Siege of Acre:
The Crusaders recapture this strategic city after a brutal siege.
1192 – Truce with Saladin:
Richard’s bold diplomacy secures Christian access to Jerusalem. Though the city remains under Muslim control, the faithful may once more walk the Via Dolorosa.
A Symbolic Victory
Christendom Endures
While Jerusalem was not conquered, the Crusade’s outcome restored Christian dignity and sacred access. The strength and piety of Richard the Lionheart turned defeat into a moral triumph.
Knighthood Elevated
The Third Crusade showcased the ideal of Christian kingship
The Third Crusade revealed the noble heart of Christian kingship. Richard’s courage, faith, and humility made him a beacon of knightly virtue.
To the Order of the Western Guild, he stands as a model of strength through faith, a sovereign who bore the Cross in word and in war.