The
Crusader Period (1095 - 1291) - 4
Manuel I Comnenus
1143-1180
Under his reign the strength of Byzantium deminishes.
His empire eventually has to deal with hostile Westerners and strengthened
Turks.
1181:
The Muslim warrior Saladin (right) becomes Sultan of Egypt.
He is a brilliant military commander who unites the Muslim armies.
1187:
Saladin’s army destroys
the Crusaders’ force at
the Battle of the
Horns of Hattin.
Saladin
Picture
showsFrederick I 'Barbarossa'
between his eldest sons:
the future Emperor Henry IV
and Frederick, Duke of Swabia,
who died at the siege of Acre.
Frederick Barbarossa drowned in Cilicia
(1189)
1189-1192
Third Crusade
Led by Frederick I 'Barbarosa', Richard I of England (the Lionheart) and Philip II of France.
Halts Saladin’s advance. But the Crusaders fail to recapture Jerusalem.
A peace treaty is signed at Arsuf, in the Holy Land, allowing the Crusaders to retain control of their strongholds along the coast. Pilgrims are permitted to visit Jerusalem and the Holy Places.
As Richard the Lionheart returns to England, he is captured and held for ransom by Duke Leopold of Austria.
- 
A 12th century fresco at Salzburg,
now Austria
Picture: the capture of
Richard the Lionheart (Cœur-de-Lion)