₧ñThe fall of Jerusalem to the Muslims in 1187 provoked a new crusade led by three of Europe's most powerful rulers - including England's King Richard the Lionheart. ñ
In July 1187, Saladin (1137-93), the sultan of Egypt and Syria, defeated the army of the kingdom of Jerusalem at the battle of Hattin. The following October, Saladin occupied Jerusalem. Pope Gregory VIII responded by calling for a new crusade. Three European rulers set out for the Holy Land: King Richard I of England (1157-99), King Philippe Auguste of France (1165-1223), and the Holy Roman Emperor, Frederick Barbarossa (1123-1190). Frederick set off first, in 1189, taking the land route through central Europe and Anatolia. Disaster struck the following year when the emperor drowned while crossing the River Saleph in Cilicia, in the south of present-day Turkey.
Richard and Philippe Auguste took the sea route to the Holy Land, crossing the Mediterranean via the island of Sicily. There was deep rivalry between the English and French rulers, however. Philippe Auguste was especially offended when Richard stopped off on the way to seize control of Cyprus from the Byzantine Empire. The two monarchs managed to capture the Muslim-held port of Acre in 1191, but Philippe soon returned to France. Richard remained in Palestine after the French king's departure. His battles against Saladin's armies earned him the admiration of Christendom and the nickname "Coeur de Lion" - Lionheart. But Richard failed in his main aim of recapturing Jerusalem. He eventually made a compromise peace with Saladin, which guaranteed Christian pilgrims access to the Holy Places, and maintained Christian rule in the coastal zone of Palestine. He then set off unaccompanied to return to England. Shipwrecked in the Adriatic Sea, Richard had to cross the domains of an enemy, Leopold V, Duke of Austria. He travelled in disguise, but was recognized and taken prisoner. During Richard's absence, his younger brother, John Lackland, was tempted to usurp the throne. However, a massive ransom was collected by Richard's formidable mother, Eleanor of Aquitaine (1122-1204), to buy his freedom. He finally returned to England to resume the throne in 1194.ì j ╩
