Different Approaches to Battle

Different approaches to Combat 

Richard I and Saladin used different combat approaches in their battle of Arsuf that proved critical to the overall success of the Third Crusade and eventual peace treaty that the two leaders signed in regard to the capture of Jerusalem. The crusader army composed of armies and knights from each part of Christendom under the command of King Richard of England had a goal of assaulting Jerusalem and Richard chose to use the coastal route as far as Jaffa which was closest to Jerusalem port instead of striking inland 1 . The implication of this approach is that the crusaders had one flanked buttressed on the seaward and their only fear would be an inland attack from the Saracens. Saladin’s Saracens had 10,000 light infantry and another 10,000 cavalry while Richard had 14,000 infantry, 4,000 knights and 2,000 turcopoles 2 . Richard had maintained tight discipline among his ranks and Saladin now attempted to ambush the crusaders before they could get to assault Jerusalem. 

Saladin’s strategy was to deploy his light infantry in crescent manner against the crusaders’ left flank with Saracens’ cavalry in reserve. Saladin wanted to use his cavalry in a skimming way so that he could lure the crusaders out of their strategic lines and mew them down with is cavalry 3 . However, coming from the seaward and the sea as their fortress, the Crusaders deployed baggage train in the rear with elite cavalry; Knights Templar on the right and Hospitallers on the left. Richard deployed his infantry using a box formation with the aim of protecting the left flank from concentrated harassment from Saladin. Saracens’ light infantry harasses the crusaders who eventually call for reinforcement and charge but Richard orders his knights not to charge since he knew Saladin’s tactics until they hear trumpets. Eventually, the Saracens lose their energy after their reinforcement and Richard orders a second cavalry charge, the Knights Templar, forcing Saladin’s forces to fall back so that they are not encircled by the crusaders 4 . In their final battle, Saladin attacks the left flank of the crusaders but crusaders release the third cavalry charge that repulses and disintegrates the Saracens and defeating them. Imperatively, Saladin never went to battle against the crusaders and Richard never captured Jerusalem. 

Approaches and Outcomes 

These approaches determined the outcomes of the battle compared to other factors in many ways. Firstly, Richard’s tactics allowed him to stop the Saracens from harassing the crusaders as they matched to Jerusalem. The defeat of the Saracens was hugely influenced by the tactics that they used as opposed to the size of their infantry and cavalry 5 . In both cases, the armies asked for reinforcement but what was important was how the reinforcements were used in the battle. Secondly, the approaches determined the results based on the number of casualties on both sides of the battles. The Saracens lost about 7,000 men or 35% of their forces while the Crusaders lost ten percent of what the Saladin’s men lost, 700 or just 4% of their men 6 . Thirdly, the outcome forced the two armies to sign a peace treaty as none of them could accomplish their goals. 

The Disparity 

Richard’s victory at Arsuf was a huge one for the crusaders and they believed that they could now match to Jerusalem and takeover the city. However, at the end of the crusade, it was clear that Richard could not capture Jerusalem while Saladin feared having another risky attempt at the crusaders. Saladin employed the dreaded “scorched earth” strategy that denied the crusaders essential supplies that they required to besiege Jerusalem 7 . One would have hoped that having used superior strategy at the battle of Arsuf, the crusaders match to Jerusalem was now unstoppable because of their better approaches but the Saracens ensured that they never capture the city. 

References 

Nicolle, D. (2006). The Third Crusade 1191: Richard the Lionheart, Saladin and the struggle 

for Jerusalem. Retrieved from https://www.brego-weard.com/lib/C161.pdf 

Siggurdsson, 2012 September 7. Battle of Arsuf: Richard the Lionheart’s Crusaders Defeat 

Saladin’s Army. Retrieved from http://www.burnpit.us/2012/09/battle-arsuf-richard-lionhearts-crusaders-defeat-saladins-army 

The art of Battle, n.d. Battle of Arsuf, 1191. Retrieved from 

http://www.theartofbattle.com/battle-of-arsuf-1191/ 

1 Siggurdsson, 2012 September 7. Battle of Arsuf: Richard the Lionheart’s Crusaders Defeat 

Saladin’s Army. 

2 The art of Battle, n.d. Battle of Arsuf, 1191. 

3 Ibid 1 

4 The art of Battle, n.d. Battle of Arsuf, 1191. 

5 Siggurdsson, 2012 September 7. Battle of Arsuf: Richard the Lionheart’s Crusaders Defeat 

Saladin’s Army. 

6 I bid 4 

7 Nicolle, D. (2006). The Third Crusade 1191: Richard the Lionheart, Saladin and the struggle 

for Jerusalem.