The battle of Acre is often marked as the end of the Crusades, resulting in the eventual loss of the holy land for Crusader nations. Occurring in 1291, the battle had many parts involved which entailed deceit and dishonesty on both sides. Before the fall of the city of Acre, Islamic nations pushed through other cities such as Tripoli, which at one point in time was occupied by Christian nations. Sultan, the Muslim leader knowing the Christians defeat was imminent, sought to push them city by city out further from the holy land. The Templars, who occupied the city saw their forthcoming defeat, and asked for aid from other Christian nations. The leaders from across the sea did not see the value of protecting the city, and awarded a small, old army of Italian mercenaries, which lacked financial support. Since there was an issue of funding for the army, they soon took advantage of Muslims residing in the area, often mugging, robbing, and even killing them. This sparked the eventual bloodshed that was about to come.[1]
Sultan, the Muslim leader hearing about the abuse to his people, demanded justice for the men responsible to be handed over. The Templars soon warned the Venetians, (the army) but they wished not to hand over their men. Understanding the stubbornness of their fighting force, the Templar’s took matters into their own hands responding in an attack on the Muslim camps at night. They sent 300 soldiers, but were thwarted because of the brush being lit ablaze. This created visibility for defending Muslim soldiers, and they soon defeated the Templar forces. This then brought upon the final battle for the city of Acre.[2]
The city had strong outer walls supported by 10 towers, but the Islamic nations were well equipped. They brought catapults, accompanied by 100,000 foot soldiers, and 60,000 horsemen. There was little doubt of the eventual demise for the city and its inhabitants. As a result of this many Christian nations fled the city through passage of sea, leaving t
One night the Templars loaded the women and children, with their Treasury onto safe passage by sea back to the island of Cyprus, (a main headquarters for the Templars). Sultan soon voiced regret for his men and their actions inviting Templar troops for an apology. Little did the Templar’s know that Sultan’s men going against their word, was foreshadowing for the future. The soldiers that meet the Muslim troops expecting an apology, were beheaded. All remaining troops in the fought valiantly, but soon feel along with the city of Acre.[4]
Significance: The battle of Acre was not only significant for the Crusades, indicating the end of the Crusaders pursuit of the holy land. It was also important to understand the social ramifications of Templar’s losing the city. Since they were left to die, many blamed the Templar’s for the ultimate loss of the holy land. This created distaste in many pockets of Christian nations for their order. In addition, there were accusations made about the Templar’s expeditions before the battle of Acre. Many believed they could have taken more land, but were too interested in their financial occupations. This stems to another distaste towards the Templar’s associated with Christian nations, as they occupy much of the wealth, despite their oath to live in poverty. [1]
Sources:
- Dafoe, Stephen. “Templarhistory.com » Blog Archive » The Fall of Acre – 1291.” TemplarHistory.com. March 31, 2010. Accessed February 19, 2018. http://blog.templarhistory.com/2010/03/the-fall-of-acre-1291/.
- Ibid.
- Ibid.
- Ibid.
- Gilmour-Bryson, Anne. “Sodomy and the Knights Templar.” Journal of the History of Sexuality 7, no. 2 (1996): 151-83. http://www.jstor.org/stable/3704138.
By: Tanner Delaney
Middle Riddles 