Battle of Arsuf

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Battle of Arsuf

Date	September 7, 1191
Location	Arsuf
Result	Decisive Crusader victory

Combatants

Commanders

Strength

25,000 light infantry,
15,000 heavy infantry,
About 9,500 cavalry^{[citation needed]}

30,000 light infantry,
15,000 heavy infantry,
about 8,000 cavalry^{[citation needed]}

Casualties

About 1000 infantry,
and cavalry^{[citation needed]}

About 7,000 including 32 emirs^{[citation needed]}

Third Crusade
Acre – Arsuf – Jaffa

The Battle of Arsuf was a battle of the Third Crusade in which Richard I of England defeated Saladin at Arsuf.

After capturing Acre in 1191, Richard fought many minor battles with Saladin, whose main objective was to prevent Jerusalem from being recaptured. Knowing he would need to control the port of Jaffa before making an attempt on Jerusalem, Richard began to march down the coast from Acre in August of 1191.

Saladin came upon Richard's army just north of Jaffa at Arsuf on September 7. The Templars defended the vanguard while the Hospitallers defended the rear. Other commanders included Hugh III of Burgundy, Guy de Lusignan, Henry II of Champagne, Robert de Sable, Andre' de Chauvigny, Roger de Lacy, Robert de Beaumont, 4th Earl of Leicester, and Hubert Walter. Saladin tried to lure the Crusaders out with a light cavalry charge; Richard delayed as long as possible while his Angevin crossbowmen held back Saladin's charge, although the Muslim archers were able to inflict heavy damage on the Hospitallers' horses. The Hospitallers could no longer resist a counterattack. They charged into Saladin's right flank, with Richard following them, and the Templars charging the left flank. Saladin was forced to retreat, the legend of his invincibility having been destroyed. The Crusaders could also take pride in their first victory since the disastrous Battle of Hattin in 1187. Among the light Christian casualties was Jacques d'Avesnes.

On September 10, Richard took Jaffa and would begin to prepare for an assault on Jerusalem. Although Richard successfully defended Jaffa when Saladin attacked him there in 1192, he could not recapture Jerusalem.