The Third Crusade is over and King Richard the Lionheart is making his way home, escorted by the Knights Templar. After a daring journey in disguise, he will end up becoming a prisoner, as enemies he has made settle scores. When he is ransomed and returns to his kingdom, he has a few scores of…

The Third Crusade involves two of the most well known figures of any crusade: Richard I, the Lionheart, King of England, and Salah ad-Din Yusuf ibn Ayyub, Sultan of Egypt and Syria. These two men each command an army, and the fate of the Near East hangs in the balance.  After the Siege of Acre,…

The siege of Acre, from 1189-1191 was one of the most brutal battles of the Third Crusade.  The armies of the King of Jerusalem surrounded the city of Acre, but were themselves under attack from the armies of Saladin.  Into this mess, the armies of the Third Crusade, led by King Richard the Lionheart of…

Richard the Lionheart is one of the most famous English kings and he made his reputation on the Third Crusade. In this episode we take a closer look at the man behind the legend. His mother was the famous Eleanor of Aquitaine, and his father was the easily angered Henry II. Richard’s early career as…

Saladin and Richard the Lionheart are two of the most legendary figures in the history of the Crusades.  Saladin was both feared and admired by his friends and his enemies.  This episode explores the rise of this remarkable character.  We also meet the noble knight Balian of Ibelin, Queen Sibylla of Jerusalem, and the bellicose…