Saladin's Siege of Acre 1189-91: The Turning Point of the Third Crusade

The siege of Acre was the longest and bloodiest battle of the Third Crusade, lasting nearly two years from August 1189 to July 1191. In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore how this pivotal siege reshaped the conflict between Saladin and the Crusaders. They discuss the arrival of European kings—Richard the Lionheart and Philip Augustus—the strategic blunders on both sides, and the brutal execution of 2,700 prisoners after the city fell. Drawing on accounts from Baha ad-Din ibn Shaddad and Imad ad-Din al-Isfahani, they examine Saladin's defensive tactics, the role of the Templars and Hospitallers, and how the siege drained Saladin's resources and morale. The episode also touches on the logistical nightmare of supplying two armies by sea, the use of trebuchets and counter-mining, and the diplomatic maneuvers that preceded the final surrender. For listeners who know Saladin's earlier victories at Hattin and Jerusalem, this siege reveals a more vulnerable sultan facing the full might of a unified Crusader coalition—a turning point that would lead to the Treaty of Ramla and define the legacy of both sides. #Saladin #Acre #ThirdCrusade #SiegeOfAcre #RichardTheLionheart #PhilipAugustus #BahaAdDinIbnShaddad #ImadAdDinAlIsfahani #Templars #Hospitallers #Crusades #MiddleEast #MedievalHistory #MilitaryHistory #SiegeWarfare #Ayyubid #FexingoHistory #History Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo