The port of Acre lies on a…
August 1189 CE
The port of Acre lies on a peninsula in the Gulf of Haifa.
East of the old part of the city is the port, protected against the open sea, while to the west and south the coast is protected by a strong dike wall.
The peninsula is guarded on the mainland side by double barrier reinforced with towers.
The Muslim garrison of the city might have been twice as large as the army led by Guy, who arrives on August 28, 1189.
The unscrupulous Guy, despite having taken a vow not to war against Saladin, suddenly gathers his few followers and in a daring move to establish his authority, besieges Acre, taking Saladin completely by surprise.
When he finally moves his army toward the city, the crusaders in their camp outside the walls have begun to receive reinforcements from the West, many under the banner of Henry II, Count of Champagne, the eldest son of Henry I, Count of Champagne and Marie de Champagne, a daughter of King Louis VII of France and Eleanor of Aquitaine.
Joining the Third Crusade alongside both his uncles, King Philip II of France and King Richard I of England, Henry had left for the East after having his barons swear to recognize his younger brother Thibaut as his successor should he fail to return.
He tries to surprise the garrison with an assault on the walls, but this fails and Guy thus establishes his camp outside the city, to wait for reinforcements, which begin to arrive by sea a few days later.
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