Siege of Acre (1189–1191)
The siege of Acre was the first significant counterattack by Guy of Jerusalem against Saladin, leader of the Muslims in Syria and Egypt. This pivotal siege formed part of what later became known as the Third Crusade. The siege lasted from August 1189 until July 1191, in which time the city's coastal position meant the attacking Latin force were unable to fully invest the city and Saladin was unable to fully relieve it with both sides receiving supplies and resources by sea. Finally, it was a key victory for the Crusaders and a serious setback for Saladin's ambition to destroy the Crusader states.
Manuscript depiction of Acre surrendering to Richard I of England and Philip II of France (late 14th century)
Richard the Lionheart on his way to Jerusalem, James William Glass (1850)
Detail of a miniature of Philip II of France arriving in the Eastern Mediterranean (mid-14th century)
Massacre of the Saracen prisoners, ordered by King Richard the Lionheart (Alphonse de Neuville, 1883)
Guy of Lusignan was a French Poitevin knight who reigned as the king of Jerusalem from 1186 to 1192 by right of marriage to Sibylla, and King of Cyprus from 1192 to 1194.
Marriage of Sibylla and Guy
Guy and Sibylla outside Tyre
The coin reads REX GVIDO D on the inverse. On the reverse, EIERVSALEM is inscribed around the Holy Sepulchre, showing Guy's reluctance to abandon his claim to Jerusalem.
Saladin and Guy of Lusignan, painting by Jan Lievens
