Three Kings. The loss of Jerusalem to Saladin in 1187 came as quite a shock to all Christians in Europe. Immediately, a new Crusade was called. The Third Crusade attracted not only a large army, but also three kings: Frederick I (Frederick Barbarossa) of Germany, Philip II (Philip Augustus) of France, and Richard I (the Lionhearted) of England. Frederick left in 1189 via an overland route, but his force, decimated by disease, never reached the Holy Land. (The aged Frederick himself died when he fell off his horse into the Salaph River in Asia Minor and drowned.) The other two kings traveled by ship and arrived safely, but, once having arrived, they began to quarrel over their respective roles in the fighting.

Lack of Unity. Although they did succeed in retaking Acre and Jaffa in 1191, moving within sight of Jerusalem, Richard I...