The Siege of Acre, 1189-1191: Saladin, Richard the Lionheart, and the Battle That Decided the Third Crusade

by John D. Hosler

Overview

The first comprehensive history of the most decisive military campaign of the Third Crusade and one of the longest wartime sieges of the Middle Ages

The two-year-long siege of Acre (1189–1191) was the most significant military engagement of the Third Crusade, attracting armies from across Europe, Syria, Mesopotamia, Egypt, and the Maghreb. Drawing on a balanced selection of Christian and Muslim sources, historian John D. Hosler has written the first book-length account of this hard-won victory for the Crusaders, when England’s Richard the Lionheart and King Philip Augustus of France joined forces to defeat the Egyptian Sultan Saladin. Hosler’s lively and engrossing narrative integrates military, political, and religious themes and developments, offers new perspectives on the generals, and provides a full analysis of the tactical, strategic, organizational, and technological aspects on both sides of the conflict. It is the epic story of a monumental confrontation that was the centerpiece of a Holy War in which many thousands fought and died in the name of Christ or Allah.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780300251494
Publisher:	Yale University Press
Publication date:	03/17/2020
Pages:	272
Product dimensions:	5.00(w) x 7.75(h) x (d)

About the Author

John D. Hosler is associate professor of military history at the Command and General Staff College. His previous books include John of Salisbury: Military Authority of the Twelfth-Century Renaissance.

Table of Contents

List of plates and maps viii

Acknowledgments x

List of abbreviations xii

Introduction 1

I Target Acre 7

II The siege begins, 1189 15

III Spring and summer, 1190 47

IV Autumn and winter, 1190 76

V The siege concludes, 1191 102

VI Aftermath and repercussions 133

Conclusion 162

Appendix A Description of Acre 175

Appendix B Engagements at/near Acre, 1189-91 177

Appendix C Commanders from battle of 4 October 1189 181

Appendix D Participants at Acre 182

Notes 196

Bibliography 230

Index 244

Editorial Reviews

Hosler has produced a thorough military description of this major, dramatic confrontation, and it is unlikely to be bettered.”—Christopher Tyerman, Literary Review

“A gripping account” — Tony Barber, Financial Times (Books of the Year 2018)

“Hosler [has a] pleasing eye for detail and commendable mastery of original sources.”—Dan Jones,  The Times

“The crusaders’ successful siege of Acre, the war’s main military engagement, has never received fuller treatment than in this absorbing account by John Hosler.”—Tony Barber, FT

“Exhaustively researched, acutely analysed, beautifully written” —Theodore K.Rabb, The Times Literary Supplement (Books of the Year 2018)

“John Hosler has provided careful account of this crucial and neglected episode of the Third Crusade, demonstrating a careful and detailed grasp of events and their significance. This very readable account is of great value to historians of the crusades and of military history.”—John France, Journal of Military History

“Those who believe they understand the events and implications of the two-year siege of Acre during the Third Crusade will reevaluate their assumptions after reading this book. . . . A masterful narrative and analysis in what he rightly calls the ‘first ever comprehensive study of the siege in any language.’”—Laurence W. Marvin, Michigan War Studies Review

“The Siege of Acre is as an invaluable resource for historians of the Crusades.” Matthew King, H-Net Reviews

“A lively and accessible study. . . . A highly readable account of the decisive action of the Third Crusade, which deserves a prominent place in the study of both the Crusades and medieval warfare in general.”—Alan V. Murray, Speculum

“Writing on the Third Crusade is almost as daunting as fighting in it.  It takes bravery, confidence and tenacity. John Hosler possesses all three.  The result is an impressive analysis of the siege of Acre, the largest, longest and most decisive conflict of the Crusade.”—Kelly DeVries, author of Joan of Arc

“Confident and highly engaging, Hosler offers us a perceptive and thorough analysis of the characters, the challenges and the mechanics of one of the great sieges of the medieval period; an important contribution to the history of the crusades and medieval warfare.” —Jonathan Phillips, author of The Fourth Crusade and the Sack of Constantinople

“One of the most important books to be published on the crusades in recent years … Essential reading for anyone seeking to understand not only the details of the siege of Acre, but the broader outcome of the Third Crusade. Hosler has long been a respected medieval military historian, but with this book he has now become an important voice in debates over the crusades.”—Andrew Holt, Co-Editor of Seven Myths of the Crusades

"An impressive piece of work - a scrupulously researched account of one of the most complicated military events in crusader history."—Roger Crowley, author of 1453

"John Hosler has done what no other historian has yet achieved: he has created a lucid, thoroughly researched, insightful account of the most complex military campaign in the medieval crusades ... This study is unlikely to be replaced for a long time. It is essential reading."—Daniel P. Franke, co-editor of Prowess, Piety, and Public Order in Medieval Society

From the Publisher

"John Hosler has done what no other historian has yet achieved: he has created a lucid, thoroughly researched, insightful account of the most complex military campaign in the medieval crusades ... This study is unlikely to be replaced for a long time. It is essential reading."—Daniel P. Franke, co-editor of Prowess, Piety, and Public Order in Medieval Society

Daniel P. Franke

"A?n impressive piece of work - a scrupulously researched account of one of the most complicated military events in crusader history?.?"—Roger? Crowley?, author of 1453

Roger Crowley

“One of the most important books to be published on the crusades in recent years … Essential reading for anyone seeking to understand not only the details of the siege of Acre, but the broader outcome of the Third Crusade. Hosler has long been a respected medieval military historian, but with this book he has now become an important voice in debates over the crusades.”—Andrew Holt, Co-Editor of Seven Myths of the Crusades

Andrew Holt

“Confident and highly engaging, Hosler offers us a perceptive and thorough analysis of the characters, the challenges and the mechanics of one of the great sieges of the medieval period; an important contribution to the history of the crusades and medieval warfare.” —Jonathan Phillips, author of The Fourth Crusade and the Sack of Constantinople

Jonathan Phillips

“Writing on the Third Crusade is almost as daunting as fighting in it.  It takes bravery, confidence and tenacity. John Hosler possesses all three.  The result is an impressive analysis of the siege of Acre, the largest, longest and most decisive conflict of the Crusade.”—Kelly DeVries, author of Joan of Arc

Kelly DeVries