High Middle Ages · Middle East · War
1271
Edward of England on crusade at Acre
1271
Before becoming king, Edward I arrived at Acre at the head of a small crusader force and attempted to fortify the dwindling Kingdom of Jerusalem. He survived an assassin's poisoned dagger thanks, one account claims, to his wife Eleanor sucking the wound clean. The experience left Edward with a lasting interest in castle-building and military engineering that he would apply with devastating effect in Wales.