King Richard I (the Lionheart) ordered the mass execution of approximately 2,700 Muslim prisoners from the captured city of Acre on August 20, 1191, an event known as the Massacre at Ayyadieh.

Context and Motivation

The massacre occurred during the Third Crusade after Richard’s forces captured Acre, holding the Muslim garrison as hostages for a ransom and the return of the True Cross.
Richard executed the prisoners in cold blood, in full view of Saladin’s army, because he believed Saladin was deliberately delaying the payment of the ransom and the release of Christian captives