The Germans under Frederick Barbarossa were the first to
start. This great emperor was now nearly seventy years old, yet age had not
lessened his crusading zeal. He took the overland route and after much hard
fighting reached southern Asia Minor. Here, however, he was drowned, while
trying to cross a swollen stream. Many of his discouraged followers at once
returned to Germany; a few of them, however, pressed on and joined the other
crusaders before the walls of Acre.
ACRE CAPTURED BY PHILIP AND RICHARD, 1191 A.D.
The expedition of the French and English achieved little.
Philip and Richard, who came by sea, captured Acre after a hard siege, but
their quarrels prevented them from following up this initial success. Philip
soon went home, leaving the further conduct of the crusade in Richard's hands.
RICHARD IN THE HOLY LAND, 1191-1192 A.D.
The English king remained for fourteen months longer in
the Holy Land. His campaigns during this time gained for him the title of
"Lion-hearted," [15] by which he is always known. He had many
adventures and performed knightly exploits without number, but could not
capture Jerusalem. Tradition declares that when, during a truce, some crusaders
went up to Jerusalem, Richard refused to accompany them, saying that he would
not enter as a pilgrim the city which he could not rescue as a conqueror. He
and Saladin finally concluded a treaty by the terms of which Christians were
permitted to visit Jerusalem without paying tribute. Richard then set sail for
England, and with his departure from the Holy Land the Third Crusade came to an
end.
