The Siege of Acre, Part 6

With Philip of France and Richard of England at Acre with their armies (the illustration shows Philip arriving in Palestine), Saladin had reason to be concerned. The Crusaders now had fresh reinforcements, and Richard's reputation as a warrior preceded him.

Both kings had brought siege engines. Richard had wanted to parlay with Saladin, but Philip had already been battering the walls. Now Richard decided it was his turn. Richard had two mangonels—a type of trebuchet that could load and fire faster than the standard trebuchet—which were named "God's Own Catapult" and "Bad Neighbor." He started using them on 2 July, and by the next day had made a large breach in the walls. Still, the Crusaders could not get through, rebuffed by the Muslim garrison.

The next day, however, on 4 July the city offered its surrender, realizing that it could not handle more destruction to the walls. Richard did not accept. Acre sent a message to Saladin, telling him that without his help they would have to surrender. There was a final battle on 11 July, and the next day Acre again offered terms of surrender to the Crusaders, which this time were accepted.

Negotiations were needed to lay out all the details of what the two sides would agree to going forward, and word was sent to Conrad of Montferrat (he had taken his new bride, Isabella of Jerusalem, back to Tyre) to handle them. When Conrad arrived, the Crusaders officially entered the city and the Muslim garrison was taken captive.

Conrad raised the flags of the Duchy of Austria, England, France, and the Kingdom of Jerusalem over the city. Leopold V, Duke of Austria, was the leader of the German contingent since Frederick of Swabia had died (and Frederick's father, Barbarossa, had died along the way). Leopold wanted equal shares of plunder and equal rights to the kings of France and England, but was refused. He was Conrad's cousin, and related to Philip as well, but Richard tore down his banner. Leopold abandoned Acre and led his people home. He went to the court of Holy Roman Emperor Henry VI and told of Richard's disrespect. (There would be repercussions against Richard later.)

Philip also had to return home. On 1 June, Philip of Alsace had died at Acre. He was a close relation of Philip's and Philip realized that he was in a. precarious position because he had produced an heir of his body. Philip went back to France to deal with questions of succession.

Richard was now in charge of Acre. Let's see how that went.