Asurf, September the 7th,

1191 A.D.

Take that man's blade;

his armour is a disgrace!

The Third Crusade began with the capture of the city of Acre,

the ultimate goal to seize Jerusalem.

King Richard the Lionheart

of England saw the port city of

Jaffa as a vital staging post on the road

to the holy city, and resolved to take it.

Martialing the crusader forces,

King Richard marches south to rest

the city from Saracean hands.

Shadowing this invading army from inland,

the great sultan

and leader of the Saracens, Saladin,

waits for an opportunity to strike.

Saladin draws his army into battle formation

in a forest near Asurf,

an ideal position from which to launch an ambush.

In readiness for the inevitable Saracen attack,

King Richard's men march in a formation

that will allow them to respond quickly;

his archers and crossbowmen hug the coast with a stream of cavalry and infantry

between them and the Saracens.

We shall put them to the sword, or put them to flight!

Saladin springs the attack with terrifying

quickness, hoping to drive the

crusaders into the sea.

Let's start moving; into the breach!

Any man who runs will answer to my wrath!

Steady lads, rank up!