The city of Acre had suffered a heavy, long siege as Christian forces pressed upon them. The city itself was nearly impregnable as long as it had access to the sea, which could bring in supplies and reinforcements. The Christian forces surrounded the city. The French forces arrival in April of 1191, had offered some relief but everyone awaited the English support. Meanwhile, the Christian forces had to deal with not only Saladin's forces, which surrounded the besiegers but the care and needs of the ever increasing defending garrison. The virtual city, which the besiegers had created, had suffered by constant labor to care for the forces already present as well as the shortage of food and supplies. Richard I hurried to wrap things up in Cyprus, focusing his attention upon the waiting Acre.

As Richard approached, he could see the towers of the city and as he moved closer, he could see the defensive works. Acre was surrounded on all sides by people from every European Christian nation. Richard and his men could also see the seemingly infinite number of Turkish soldiers and their tents, which covered the mountains and valleys, hills and plains around the besieged city. As Richard arrived, the armies and their commanders, already in Acre, came out to meet the English reinforcements. Though the King of France recommended an immediate attack, Richard, himself ill from his journey and awaiting more of his forces who had been delayed due to adverse winds, recommended delay. The King of France would not be dissuaded and ordered an immediate attack upon the city.

With helmets glittering , banners flying and horses neighing, the Christian forces readied for the attack on the city. A terrific attack was made upon the city with hailing stones and missiles. The Turks within the city, realizing that they were surrounded, made the sound to call Saladin's forces to their rescue. The outer Turkish forces attacked in groups, gathering material to cover the barricades and allow them to cross into the Christian forces more easily. In this they were foiled by the forces of Geoffrey of Lusignan, who in a heavy contest, managed to hold of the infidels, killing some and capturing many. Those attacking the city itself were forced to retreat and give up the attack altogether, unable to both attack the city and at the same time defend the rear against the Turks outside the town. Many of the French were killed there by spears, missiles and stones and by the spreading Greek fire. Following the retreat, the French were taunted by the Turks for being unable to finish what they had begun. Using Greek fire, the Turks destroyed the engines and other offensive equipment. The French king was in a rage.

King Richard, still ill, was anxioius to capture the city. He ordered a latticework shed or "cercleia" to be made and taken to the city outside the walls. Ordering that he be carried on a silken litter in order to awe the Saracens, he led his men into battle. The balista was employed and was very successful as the miners sought the foundations of the tower and hacked out part of it, filling it with timber which was set afire.

Richard, appealing to the soldiers lust for wealth, promised each solder who removed a stone from the wall next to the tower to recieve gold pieces from the king. Once the stones were removed, the soldiers would be free to enter the city. Risking the relentless fire of the Turks within the city, the soldiers dilligently removed the stones, pushing the Turks back from the wall. Some of these men were neither protected by shields nor weapons.

Saladin finally relented and allowed the besieged men to surrender, having been pressed upon by friends and families of the besieged. The city had now been under siege for three years and the Saracen soldiers had valiantly defended the city during that time. Saladin sought peace on the best terms they could get. From within the city, news of Saladin's decision was met with great joy. The captured Turks were to leave the city, taking nothing but their clothing and they were to pay a ransom to the two kings. Hostages were to remain, chosen from the more noble and important Turks in the city. Once oaths were taken and the agreement written, with hostages remaining, the Turks left the city empty-handed.

The Turkish soldiers abandoned the city gracefully and with dignity, having won the regard of the Christian soldiers who admired them as soldiers. Though reduced to the status of beggars, leaving all behind them, the defeated men emerged from the city unconquered by their adversities.

Once the Turkish soldiers had left, the Christian soldiers opened the gates and entered teh city freely... dancing and singing and glorifying the Lord and thanking God for His mercy. The walls and towers of the city were covered with the banners and flags of the Kings. The food remaining in the city was divided equally among the men. The King of France received teh palace of the Templars, while King Richard took the royal palace to which he sent his queens and the children and servants. On the next night, Saladin and his army left the area, moving a mountain further away.