The Battle of Arsuf was a battle of the Third Crusade in which Richard I of England defeated Saladin at Arsuf. After capturing Acre in 1191, Richard fought many engagements with Saladin, whose main objective was to prevent the recapture of Jerusalem. Knowing he would need to control the port of Jaffa before making an attempt on Jerusalem, Richard began to march down the coast from Acre in August 1191.