Battle of Arsuf

The Battle of Arsuf was a confrontation between the military forces of Saladin and King Richard I of England in September of 1191. Earlier that year, in July, the Crusaders had gained control of the port city of Acre. As a result, their morale was enhanced to no end, as it allowed for reinforcements and supplies to be received via sea.

King Richard led an attack on the Saracens at Arsuf, leaving the city of Acre in the hands of three of his most trusted men. Meanwhile, he led a march to the south, with the aim of flanking the Saracen combatants. The battle was the first major defeat of the Saracens during the Crusades, and greatly increased the morale of the European army.

Ride for the King

"The man is clever. He goes to plead his case to Richard and Saladin, to unite them against the common enemy. Against us."

―Altaïr on Robert de Sablé and his journey to Arsuf.

Following the events that transpired at Majd Addin's funeral, Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad fled to the Assassin bureau in Jerusalem, where he informed Malik Al-Sayf of the trap set for him by Robert de Sablé. When Altaïr arrived, Malik claimed he had heard some details about the events of the funeral, and asked for further information. Altaïr inferred to Malik that Robert had sent a decoy, who revealed that Robert rode for Arsuf to plead his case to King Richard and Saladin, hoping to unite the Crusaders and Saracens against the Assassins, as Altaïr had killed eight men on both sides.

Though Malik was of the opinion that they should report to Al Mualim first, Altaïr disagreed, stating that by the time they reached Masyaf, Robert would already have succeeded. Malik, though reluctant, agreed with Altaïr, wishing him safety and peace on his mission, and to be careful. Altaïr assured Malik that he would be and made his departure, on good terms with the Rafiq.

Leaving Jerusalem, the Assassin rode through the Kingdom on horseback. He traveled through both Saracen and Crusader camps and eventually arrived at Arsuf, where the battle between the two armies had already begun. Proceeding onwards, the Assassin prepared to face the Grand Master of the Templar Order head-on.

The clash

"Hold a moment. It's words I bring, not steel."

―Altaïr to King Richard's soldiers.

Altaïr fighting the Crusaders

Upon Altaïr's arrival in Arsuf, he rode along a ledge, from which he had a point of view over the road along which King Richard's army was marching. Altaïr surveyed the infantry passing by and then continued down the path he was on, until he came across a Saracen ambush, consisting of a number of archers firing upon the marching English soldiers. The foot soldiers were lying in wait for their enemies, perhaps not expecting the advancing Assassin.

Nevertheless, they attacked Altaïr, using the tactic of occupying him while their archers shot at him from above. Fighting through line upon line of Saracen men, Altaïr sought King Richard's lieutenant, Robert de Sablé. Escaping the archers and foot soldiers, Altaïr successfully reached the camp, where he fought off Crusaders in order to reach Robert, who was conversing with Richard.

Face to face

The ninth Templar

"I must leave it in the hands of one wiser than I..."

―King Richard upon the dilemma of Robert de Sablé's true allegiances.

Altaïr explains the truth about Robert to Richard

Altaïr finally reached King Richard, who had Robert de Sablé standing by his side. Invited into the heavily-guarded camp, Altaïr was surrounded by knights of King Richard and the Templar Order 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 Sablé in his campaign of revenge against the Assassins, as they had been responsible for the deaths of some of his best men.

The Assassin claimed personal responsibility for their deaths, but argued that his actions were for good reason. The other major Crusader figures, Garnier de Naplouse, William of Montferrat, and Sibrand, were responsible for several corrupt and traitorous practices. He went on to exclaim 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 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 so he instructed the two to fight in a duel, to see who God would side with.

Secrets

Altaïr: "He is the Master of the Assassins!"

Robert: "Oui, the Master of lies..."

—Altaïr and Robert, regarding Al Mualim.

Altaïr assassinating Robert

Altaïr first faced several of Robert's knights, and although outnumbered, the Assassin bested them all. Robert then charged into the fight, to confront Altaïr himself, and he began to attack with speed and power, blocking and countering incoming attacks from Altaïr. However, the Assassin proved himself to be of a greater level of skill, eventually cutting the Templar Grand Master down.

Before passing away, Robert revealed the truth about Al Mualim's allegiances and observed the irony of Altaïr's pursuit of him and his comrades. Though they were his enemies, they had indirectly helped the Assassin transcend the illusions of reality, strengthening his mind and his 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, unruly nature of mankind, and of God's support for the Assassin. Altaïr responded that he had not won because of God's will, but because he had been the better fighter. To this, King Richard replied that Altaïr might not believe in God, but God believed in him. Altaïr then took his leave from the king to confront his master, Al Mualim, at Masyaf.

Aftermath

Assassins

Through the Apple of Eden he possessed, Al Mualim began to control the minds of his subjects in Masyaf, leading them astray with thoughts of Al Mualim being a "god", and that following him would lead them all to the light. Altaïr returned to the Assassin fortress in order to confront his master, foil the man's plans, and retake Masyaf. In the end, Al Mualim was defeated by Altaïr, who claimed both the Apple of Eden and the title of Mentor.

Crusader army

The battle of Arsuf was a ferocious conflict between two armies. In the end, however, the Crusaders were able to secure victory, losing less than seven hundred men while inflicting up to seven thousand casualties on the Saracen forces.

Gallery

• 
  The Crusader army before the battle
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  Altaïr overlooking the Crusader army on their way to Arsuf
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  Altaïr surrounded by Templars in King Richard's camp

Appearances

This list is incomplete. You can help the Assassin's Creed Wiki by expanding it.

• Assassin's Creed (first appearance)
• Assassin's Creed: The Secret Crusade
• Assassin's Creed: Initiates (mentioned only)
• Echoes of History (mentioned only)