Siege of Acre (1291)
Acre, Kingdom of Jerusalem
What happened
Mamluk Sultan al-Ashraf Khalil besieged Acre, defended by the Crusaders, including Templar Grand Master William of Beaujeu. King Henry II of Cyprus arrived on 4 May with 700 troops. In 1290 newly arrived Italian Crusaders attacked Muslims in and around Acre, and when the city refused to hand over those responsible, Sultan Qalawun ended the truce. His son al-Ashraf Khalil arrived at Acre in April 1291, and the Mamluks undermined its walls and filled in sections of its moat. By 18 May towers and walls had collapsed, and the last Templar tower surrendered on 28 May.
Why it matters
Result: Mamluk victory Decline of Crusader states. Leaders: Al-Ashraf Khalil / Hussam ad-Din Lajin against Henry II, King of Jerusalem and Cyprus / Amalric of Tyre. Why it matters: Acre was the last major Crusader stronghold in the Kingdom of Jerusalem. Its fall marked the end of further crusades to the Levant.
What came next
Within weeks the Mamluks took Tyre, Sidon, Beirut, Haifa and Tartus. In August the Templar fortress of Atlit, the last Crusader outpost in Syria, was taken.
Did you know?
Al-Ashraf Khalil took the gate of Acre's Church of Saint Andrew back to Cairo, where it was used in building a mosque.
Timeline
- August 1290 CEItalian Crusaders attack Muslims near Acre.
- December 1290 CEQalawun dies and his son al-Ashraf Khalil becomes sultan.
- 6 April 1291 CESultan Khalil's army arrives at Acre.
- 18 May 1291 CETowers and walls collapse after weeks of undermining.
- 28 May 1291 CEThe last Templar tower surrenders.