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Third Crusade was caused by the capture of Jerusalem in 1187 by Saladin, the sultan of Egypt.

Saladin united the Moslems of Syria under his sway and then advanced against the Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem

rout of their army and the capture of their king.

Even the Holy Cross, which they had carried in the midst of the fight, became the spoil of the conqueror.

The cry for another crusade arose on all sides. Once more thousands of men sewed the cross in gold, or silk, or cloth upon their garments and set out for the Holy Land.

King Philip Augustus of France, King Richard I of England, and the German emperor, Frederick Barbarossa assumed the cross,

King Richard I of England

Lion-hearted," in memory of his heroic exploits in Palestine

He raised money for the enterprise bythe persecution and robbery of the Jewsthe imposition of an unusual tax upon all classesthe sale of offices, dignities, and the royal lands

he would sell the city of London, if he could find a purchaser."

English and French kings finally mustered their forces beneath the walls of Acre, which city the Christians were then besieging.

knightly virtues

knightly adventures and chivalrous exploits

Richard was sick with a fever, Saladin, knowing that he was poorly supplied with delicacies, sent him a gift of the choicest fruits of the land. And on another occasion, Richard's horse having been killed in battle, the sultan caused a fine Arabian steed to be led to the Christian camp as a present for his rival.

, but could not capture Jerusalem.

King Richard and Saladin finally concluded a truce by the terms of which Christians were permitted to visit Jerusalem without paying tribute, that they should have free access to the holy places,

The king regained his liberty only by paying a ransom equivalent to more than twice the annual revenues of England.