Battle of Arsuf: Difference between revisions
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'''The Battle of Arsuf''' was a decisive confrontation between [[Saracens]] and [[Crusaders]] that took place in September of 1191. During the [[Third Crusade]], the Crusaders under [[King Richard]] were able to | '''The Battle of Arsuf''' was a decisive confrontation between [[Saracens]] and [[Crusaders]] that took place in September of 1191. During the [[Third Crusade]], the Crusaders under [[King Richard]] were able to repel an attack by the Saracens, and gain the port city of [[Acre]] two months prior to the battle. Possession of Acre allowed them an advantage, since it was the only port available for the Crusader army, and permitted them to receive reinforcements by sea. | ||
Eventually, King Richard led a | Eventually, King Richard led a second attack personally, and left the city of Acre in the hands of his three most trusted men while he led the march to the south of Acre to flank the Saracens. The battle was the first major defeat of the Saracens during the Crusades, thus raising the morale of the European army. | ||
==The | ==The Battlefield== | ||
[[File:Arsuf_army.jpg|thumb|Arsuf combatants marching|200px|left]] | [[File:Arsuf_army.jpg|thumb|Arsuf combatants marching to battle.|200px|left]] | ||
The Saracens | The Saracens lay an ambush for the advancing Crusaders, cornering them while their [[archers]] shot at the army from above. Meanwhile, seeking King Richard's lieutenant, [[Robert de Sable]], the [[Assassin]] [[Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad]] reached the outskirts of [[Arsuf]], and broke through the lines of numerous Saracen soldiers to push his way towards the Crusaders' camp. | ||
===The | ===The Duel=== | ||
[[File:Arsuf saracens.jpg|thumb|200px|Altaïr faces Saracen opposition| | [[File:Arsuf saracens.jpg|thumb|200px|Altaïr faces Saracen opposition.|right]] | ||
Altaïr reached Richard, | Altaïr finally reached King Richard, and discovered Robert to be standing at his side. Invited into the heavily-guarded camp, the Assassin allowed himself to be surrounded by [[Templars|Templar knights]] as he was questioned. | ||
Altaïr | Richard assumed that [[Saladin]] had sent Altaïr to either inform him of their surrender, or to have him assassinated. Altaïr explained that he had not come to kill Richard, and that Robert was his true target. Richard replied that he supported de Sable for his campaign of revenge against Altaïr's Brotherhood, as they had been responsible for the death of his best men. | ||
The Assassin claimed personal responsibility for their deaths, but argued that his actions were for good reason. The other Crusader leaders, [[Garnier de Naplouse]], [[William of Montferrat]], and [[Sibrand]], were responsible for several corrupt and traitorous practices. He went on to insist that Richard should have suspected such acts from them. | |||
Richard took consideration of the Assassin's points and turned to his lieutenant for input. Robert dismissed Altaïr's words, saying that they should not trust him, as his reasoning was only a means of protecting [[Masyaf|his fortress]] from the combined might of the Saracen and Crusader armies. Altaïr claimed that he had no reason to deceive, and if his sacrifice was necessary for peace in the Holy Land, he would accept it. Richard was unsure of who spoke the truth, and thus instructed the two to fight in a duel to see who God would side with. | |||
[[File:Templars arsuf.jpg|thumb|Altaïr reaches the Crusaders.|200px|left]] | |||
Altaïr first faced several of Robert's knights, and upon killing them all, Robert stepped forward to confront Altaïr himself. Robert attacked with speed and power, but Altaïr was more skilled, and eventually, the [[Grand Master of the Templar Order|Templar Grand Master]] fell to the Assassin. Before passing away, Robert explained the truth about [[Al Mualim]], and stated the irony that Altaïr's pursuit of him and his comrades. Though they were his enemies, they had indirectly helped the Assassin transcend and see beyond the illusions of reality, thus strengthening his mind and will to resist [[Sixth Apple|the Piece of Eden]]. | |||
Afterwards, Altaïr had a brief conversation with King Richard about all that he had done just to kill Robert. Richard mused over the violent, unruled nature of people, and of God's support for the Assassin, to which Altaïr corrected him that he had not won because of the will of God. Altaïr then left to confront Al Mualim in Masyaf. | |||
==Aftermath== | ==Aftermath== | ||
The battle of Arsuf was a valiant battle between the two opposing armies. The Crusaders were able to secure victory with the casualties amounting to 700 men. The Saracens however | The battle of Arsuf was a valiant battle between the two opposing armies. The Crusaders were able to secure victory with the casualties amounting to 700 men. The Saracens, however, suffered heavily losses, with 7,000 soldiers and 32 emir being killed; although the true number is argued to be less. | ||
==Trivia== | ==Trivia== | ||
A Saracen archer screams ''"Hashashin!" ''when Altaïr approaches. | *A Saracen archer screams ''"Hashashin!"'' when Altaïr approaches. | ||
{{Timeline}} | {{Timeline}} | ||
Revision as of 02:02, 24 February 2011
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The Battle of Arsuf was a decisive confrontation between Saracens and Crusaders that took place in September of 1191. During the Third Crusade, the Crusaders under King Richard were able to repel an attack by the Saracens, and gain the port city of Acre two months prior to the battle. Possession of Acre allowed them an advantage, since it was the only port available for the Crusader army, and permitted them to receive reinforcements by sea.
Eventually, King Richard led a second attack personally, and left the city of Acre in the hands of his three most trusted men while he led the march to the south of Acre to flank the Saracens. The battle was the first major defeat of the Saracens during the Crusades, thus raising the morale of the European army.
The Battlefield
The Saracens lay an ambush for the advancing Crusaders, cornering them while their archers shot at the army from above. Meanwhile, seeking King Richard's lieutenant, Robert de Sable, the Assassin Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad reached the outskirts of Arsuf, and broke through the lines of numerous Saracen soldiers to push his way towards the Crusaders' camp.
The Duel
Altaïr finally reached King Richard, and discovered Robert to be standing at his side. Invited into the heavily-guarded camp, the Assassin allowed himself to be surrounded by Templar knights as he was questioned.
Richard assumed that Saladin had sent Altaïr to either inform him of their surrender, or to have him assassinated. Altaïr explained that he had not come to kill Richard, and that Robert was his true target. Richard replied that he supported de Sable for his campaign of revenge against Altaïr's Brotherhood, as they had been responsible for the death of his best men.
The Assassin claimed personal responsibility for their deaths, but argued that his actions were for good reason. The other Crusader leaders, Garnier de Naplouse, William of Montferrat, and Sibrand, were responsible for several corrupt and traitorous practices. He went on to insist that Richard should have suspected such acts from them.
Richard took consideration of the Assassin's points and turned to his lieutenant for input. Robert dismissed Altaïr's words, saying that they should not trust him, as his reasoning was only a means of protecting his fortress from the combined might of the Saracen and Crusader armies. Altaïr claimed that he had no reason to deceive, and if his sacrifice was necessary for peace in the Holy Land, he would accept it. Richard was unsure of who spoke the truth, and thus instructed the two to fight in a duel to see who God would side with.
Altaïr first faced several of Robert's knights, and upon killing them all, Robert stepped forward to confront Altaïr himself. Robert attacked with speed and power, but Altaïr was more skilled, and eventually, the Templar Grand Master fell to the Assassin. Before passing away, Robert explained the truth about Al Mualim, and stated the irony that Altaïr's pursuit of him and his comrades. Though they were his enemies, they had indirectly helped the Assassin transcend and see beyond the illusions of reality, thus strengthening his mind and will to resist the Piece of Eden.
Afterwards, Altaïr had a brief conversation with King Richard about all that he had done just to kill Robert. Richard mused over the violent, unruled nature of people, and of God's support for the Assassin, to which Altaïr corrected him that he had not won because of the will of God. Altaïr then left to confront Al Mualim in Masyaf.
Aftermath
The battle of Arsuf was a valiant battle between the two opposing armies. The Crusaders were able to secure victory with the casualties amounting to 700 men. The Saracens, however, suffered heavily losses, with 7,000 soldiers and 32 emir being killed; although the true number is argued to be less.
Trivia
- A Saracen archer screams "Hashashin!" when Altaïr approaches.