: Because his army was too massive for a sea crossing, Frederick took the grueling overland route through Hungary and the Byzantine Empire . A Gauntlet of Betrayal and Battle
: Historical accounts suggest that Saladin , the legendary Muslim leader who had retaken Jerusalem, feared the arrival of Barbarossa and his Germans more than any other crusading contingent. The Crusade of Frederick Barbarossa
In 1189, the most formidable force in Europe set out for the Holy Land, led by a man whose name still echoes through history: , better known as Barbarossa ("Red Beard"). His participation in the Third Crusade was meant to be the crowning achievement of a legendary reign, yet it ended in a river crossing that changed the course of the Middle Ages. The Might of the German Host : Because his army was too massive for
Frederick did not just lead an army; he led a "moving state". Setting out before the more famous Richard the Lionheart and Philip II of France , Barbarossa commanded what was likely the largest single force ever assembled for a crusade. His participation in the Third Crusade was meant
: Estimates vary wildly, ranging from 12,000–20,000 highly disciplined troops to chroniclers' claims of over 100,000 .
The Redbeard's Requiem: The Tragic Crusade of Frederick Barbarossa
The journey was anything but a peaceful pilgrimage. Frederick had to fight his way through supposed Christian allies and old rivals alike: