Richard the Lionheart (1157-1199) and Saladin (1138-1193). The crusades began in 1095 with an appeal by Pope Urban II to free the Holy City of Jerusalem from Muslim hands, This effectively ended in 1204. During that period the Papacy called as many as four Crusades, The first of which recovered Jerusalem in 1099. However in 1187 the Turkish ruler Saladin once again put the Holy City under Muslim control. This event led to the so called Third Crusade and the coming of Richard I of England to the East. Though accompanied by the King of France until 1191 Richard the Lionheart is the best remembered commander of the Third Crusade.

In leadership the Turks and the Western forces were evenly matched, Richard was a brave fighter and perhaps an abler soldier than Saladin, who was by far the better Statesman. The most notable military encounter of the struggle was the siege of Acre (1189-1191). The besieged garrison, assisted from outside by Saladin, heroically held out for two years against a combined land and sea force. After Acre fell, Richard made further gains but was stubbornly resisted by Saladin. The conflict ended in stalemate: The two leaders agreeing to armistice in 1192. Richard failed to recapture Jerusalem, but secured the right for pilgrims to visit the Holy Sepulchre.

Antique Finish means that the chess pieces are polished first then undercoated in a black paint and that is skillfully rubbed off the highlights and left in the creases and depths so each chess piece is brought into strong contrast. This is an excellant alternative to fully painted versions of the chess sets.

Scale is 54mm. Chess board sold separately on this website.