History of the Crusades

the Crusades Episode 65, the Third Crusade Roman numeral 13.

Hello again.

Last week we saw King Richard and the members of the Third Crusade advance inland until they were only 12 miles from the city of Jerusalem.

Richard then made the strategically sensible but resoundingly unpopular decision to retreat and head instead to Ascalon.

The decision caused mass desertions from King Richard's army and strengthened Conrad of Monfarrat's position.

Unbeknownst to Richard, things are also unraveling for him in England, where his younger brother John

appears to be scheming to take over the throne.

In late March 1192, with winter turning into spring and the rebuilding of Ascalon proceeding to schedule, Richard reopened negotiations with Sullardin.

Yet again, this didn't involve a face-to-face meeting

between Richard and Sullardin,

but the negotiations were delegated to Humphrey of Toron and Al Adil.

The discussions took place near Acre and were very positive

and for the first time there seemed to be a realistic chance of a successful peace

treaty being agreed.

The Muslims proposed that the Latin Christians keep the coastal areas they had conquered and have the right to make pilgrimages to Jerusalem,

with Christian priests also being free to conduct services in the Holy City.

This offer seemed to be initially well received by Richard,

who took the unusual step of nighting one of Al Adil's sons.

However, in early April, Richard broke off the negotiations

and sailed back to Ascalon to spend Easter there.

Why did he throw in the towel just when an agreement seemed to be likely to be reached?

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