The Crusaders greatest victory: 1191 Historical Battle of Arsuf | Total War Battle

The Battle of Arsuf took place on 7 September 1191, as part of the Third Crusade. It saw a multi-national force of Crusaders, led by Richard I of England, defeat a significantly larger army of the Ayyubid Sultanate, led by Saladin.

Following the Crusaders' capture of Acre, Saladin moved to intercept Richard's advancing army just outside of the city of Arsuf as it moved along the coast from Acre towards Jaffa. In an attempt to disrupt the cohesion of the Crusader army as they mobilized, the Ayyubid force launched a series of harassing attacks that were ultimately unsuccessful at breaking their formation. As the Crusaders crossed the plain to the north of Arsuf, Saladin committed the whole of his army to a pitched battle. The Crusader army maintained a defensive formation as it marched, with Richard awaiting the ideal moment to mount a counterattack. However, after the Knights Hospitaller launched a charge at the Ayyubids, Richard was forced to commit his entire force to support the attack. The Crusader charge broke the Ayyubid army; Richard was able to restrain his cavalry from a rash pursuit, regrouping them to achieve victory.

Following the engagement, the Crusaders secured control over the central coast of Palestine, including the city of Jaffa.

00:00 Crusader army
01:17 Saladins skirmish tactics
02:03 The forces move
03:30 The forces at the battlefield
04:45 Combat begins
05:25 Saladin charges the Crusader rear
06:22 Richards plan
07:30 The Crusader charge
09:24 Saladins army breaks
09:42 Saladins counter attack
10:15 Crusaders fully break Saladins army
10:35 Impacts of the battle
10:57 Aftermath