Sky Eclat
JF-Expert Member
- Oct 17, 2012
- 57,761
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August 1, 1192 - While Saladin's large army is besieging the crusader city of Jaffa, Richard the Lionheart arrives off the coast with a small force of knights and crossbowmen. Initially, Richard's men are disheartened, for Saladin's flags are already flying over Jaffa's walls. Most of the city has already been penetrated by Saladin's forces, with the Christians holding out in the citadel only, on the verge of surrender. But when the Christians catch sight of Richard's ships, they're overjoyed, and determined to hold out until the King can reach them.
A single priest swims out to Richard's ship to inform him that the Christians in the citadel are still resisting Saladin's attack. Richard, grabbing a Danish ax, cries out, "By God's calves, he'll never take the Christians!" Richard himself leaps onto the shore, followed by his small force of troops. Rushing across the beach, Richard and his men defeat Saladin's much larger army. Richard is at the forefront of the fighting, cutting down Saladin's troops on every side.
From his camp beside Jaffa, Saladin can see all this going on, and he's stunned; immediately, the Sultan retreats, fearing that the warlike English King might reach his own pavilion. Once Saladin's troops are driven off the beach, Richard personally enters the town, followed by his men, going street to street, clearing the city of Saracen warriors.
Within hours, Richard has regained control of the entire city. The Christians rush out of the citadel, overjoyed to greet their triumphant King. It's an incredible victory for the Lionheart defying all odds. Saladin had a huge numerical advantage, and yet he was defeated in one of the most dramatic battles of the medieval era.
A single priest swims out to Richard's ship to inform him that the Christians in the citadel are still resisting Saladin's attack. Richard, grabbing a Danish ax, cries out, "By God's calves, he'll never take the Christians!" Richard himself leaps onto the shore, followed by his small force of troops. Rushing across the beach, Richard and his men defeat Saladin's much larger army. Richard is at the forefront of the fighting, cutting down Saladin's troops on every side.
From his camp beside Jaffa, Saladin can see all this going on, and he's stunned; immediately, the Sultan retreats, fearing that the warlike English King might reach his own pavilion. Once Saladin's troops are driven off the beach, Richard personally enters the town, followed by his men, going street to street, clearing the city of Saracen warriors.
Within hours, Richard has regained control of the entire city. The Christians rush out of the citadel, overjoyed to greet their triumphant King. It's an incredible victory for the Lionheart defying all odds. Saladin had a huge numerical advantage, and yet he was defeated in one of the most dramatic battles of the medieval era.