Battle of Jaffa

Infobox Military Conflict
conflict=Battle of Jaffa


caption=
partof=the Third Crusade
date=1192
place=Jaffa
result=Crusader victory
combatant1=
combatant2=
commander1=Richard I of England
commander2=Saladin
strength1=80 Knights + defenders of Jaffa
Down to 54 Knights + 2000 Genoese crossbowmen
strength2=7,000 heavy and light cavalry.
casualties1=Unknown| casualties2=Unknown
The Battle of Jaffa took place during the Crusades, as one of a series of campaigns between Saladin's army and the forces of King Richard I of England. It was the final battle of the Third Crusade, after which Saladin and King Richard were able to negotiate a truce. Although the crusaders never regained possession of Jerusalem, Christian pilgrims were permitted entry into the city, and the crusaders were able to retain control of a sizable strip of land stretching from Beirut to Jaffa.

Although largely a footnote among the greater events that unfolded during the crusades, it was a decisive encounter, illustrating both the determined spirit of Saladin, and the reckless bravery of Richard. It was the final encounter before the treaty between Richard and Saladin was concluded and helped anchor the crusader presence in the south, and ensure, at least briefly, the perimeter of the Christian realm in the Holy Land.

Prelude

On September 7, 1191, after the Battle of Arsuf, the Crusader army proceeded from Arsuf to Jaffa, which the Crusaders took and fortified. Jaffa, they hoped, would be the base of operations in a drive to reconquer Jerusalem itself. As the winter of 1191-1192 approached, active campaigning was abandoned and further sporadic negotiations between Richard and Saladin were taken up, though without any immediate result. During the winter months, Richard's men occupied and refortified Ascalon, whose fortifications had earlier been razed by Saladin. The spring of 1192 saw continued negotiations and further skirmishing between the opposing forces. During this period, Richard began to receive disturbing news of the activities of his brother John and Philip Augustus. As the spring gave way to summer, it became evident that Richard would have to return soon to England to safeguard his own interests there.

Battle

By July 5, 1192, Richard began his northward withdrawal from the Holy Land. Having realized that Jerusalem would not be defensible, he began the retreat of Crusader forces from hostile territory. Almost immediately after Richard's withdrawal, Saladin laid siege to the town of Jaffa which had served as a base of operations for Richard during his previous march inland towards Jerusalem. Saladin's soldiers successfully stormed the walls; only Jaffa's citadel held out and the defenders managed to send word of their plight [Cross And The Crescent - The History Channel ] . Richard gathered a small group of troops and began his journey back to the city. Upon seeing Muslim banners flying from the walls, he falsely believed the town to be a lost cause, until a defender swam out to his flagship and informed him of the citadel's dire situation.

Still in his sailor's deck shoes, Richard leaped recklessly into the sea and waded through the waves to reach the beach. Richard again showed his bravery and worth on the field, leading fifty-four knights and 2,000 Genoese and Pisan crossbowmen [J. F. Verbruggen : "The Art of Warfare in Western Europe During the Middle Ages: From the Eighth Century to 1340"] into battle. Fighting was intense and the King's horse was felled by a volley of arrows. When Saladin saw Richard fighting on foot, he ordered a horse from his own stables to be sent as a replacement [Cross And The Crescent - The History Channel ] . The Lionheart and his knights paired off and lowered their lances in the direction of the 7,000-strong force of Muslim cavalry. Backed by a barage of cross-bow bolts from his archers, the King forced Saladin's troops back into the city, where they were surrounded and defeated. Richard took back Jaffa for the crusaders.

References