Richard the Lionheart vs William II Rufus

Richard I led English forces in the siege of Acre during the Third Crusade. After the city surrendered, Richard ordered the execution of 2,700 Muslim prisoners when Saladin failed to meet ransom terms. The victory secured a key port for the crusaders.

Richard I defeated Saladin's forces at Arsuf in Palestine. Richard's disciplined infantry and cavalry repelled repeated Muslim attacks. The victory allowed the crusaders to secure the coast and march toward Jerusalem without further major engagements.

Richard I and Saladin signed a three-year truce at Jaffa. The treaty granted crusader control of the coastal strip from Tyre to Jaffa and guaranteed safe passage for Christian pilgrims to Jerusalem. Richard then departed for Europe.

Richard I was captured near Vienna by Duke Leopold V of Austria, whom he had insulted during the crusade. Leopold handed Richard to Emperor Henry VI. Richard was imprisoned until 1194, when England paid a ransom of 150,000 marks.

William was crowned king of England on September 26, 1087, after the death of his father William the Conqueror. He inherited the English throne while his brother Robert Curthose received Normandy.

William faced a rebellion led by Norman barons supporting his brother Robert Curthose. William suppressed the revolt by promising reforms and confiscating rebel lands.

William quarreled with Archbishop Anselm over church revenues and authority. Anselm went into exile in 1097, and William seized the revenues of the archbishopric.

William was killed by an arrow while hunting in the New Forest on August 2, 1100. The circumstances were suspicious, and his brother Henry I quickly seized the throne.