Battle of Montgisard

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Image:Schlacht von Montgisard 2.jpg
The Battle of Montgisard, 1177, by Charles Philippe Larivière

Date	November 25, 1177
Location	Montgisard
Result	Decisive Crusader victory

Combatants

Kingdom of Jerusalem

Ayyubids

Commanders

Baldwin IV
Raynald of Chatillon
Knights Templar

Saladin

Strength

500 knights
80 Templars
Several thousand infantry

About 30,000

Casualties

Unknown

About 20,000

Ayyubid-Crusader War, 1177–1187
Montgisard - Jacob's Ford - Kerak – Cresson – Hattin – Jerusalem

The Battle of Montgisard was fought between Saladin and the Kingdom of Jerusalem on November 25, 1177.

In 1177 the kingdom had planned an alliance with the Byzantine Empire for a naval attack on Egypt; Philip of Alsace, count of Flanders, arrived early in the year hoping to organize this attack, but the plans were abandonded.

Meanwhile, Saladin planned his own invasion of the kingdom from Egypt. Learning of Saladin's plans, Baldwin IV left Jerusalem with 500 knights to attempt a defense at Ascalon, but Baldwin was blockaded there by Saladin, who had 26,000 men. Accompanying Baldwin was Raynald of Chatillon, lord of Oultrejordain, who had just been released from captivity in Aleppo in 1176. Raynald was a fierce enemy of Saladin. The Knights Templar attempted to meet Baldwin at Ascalon, but they were also besieged at Gaza.

Saladin executed his Christian prisoners and continued his march towards Jerusalem, thinking that Baldwin would not dare to follow him with so few men. He captured Ramla and besieged Lydda and Arsuf, but because Baldwin was supposedly not a danger, he allowed his army to be spread out over a large area, pillaging and foraging. However, Baldwin and the Templars both escaped their blockades, and marched out along the coast, hoping to meet Saladin before he reached Jerusalem.

The combined force of Baldwin and the Templars amounted to Baldwin’s 500 knights, 80 Templars, and a few thousand infantry. They met Saladin at Montgisard near Ramla, surprising him completely, as his army was not prepared for a pitched battle.

However, on seeing the overwhelming Muslim army, the Christians became petrified. The next act of Baldwin is famously depicted in Charles Philippe Larivière's painting Battle of Askalon. He dismounted his horse and called for the Bishop of Bethlehem to raise up the relic of the True Cross he carried. The king then prostrated before the sacred relic, beseeching God for success. Rising from prayer, he exhorted his men to press the attack and charged.

The Saracen were routed. Most were killed; Saladin himself only escaping because he rode a racing camel. It is said the young leper king led the Christian charge from the forefront with Saint George beside him and the True Cross shining as brightly as the sun.

This was the last time such a great Muslim army was beaten by such a small force.

Deluged by heavy rains and suffering the loss of roughly ninety percent of his army, including his personal bodyguard of Mamluks, Saladin fled back to Egypt, harassed by Bedouins along the way. Only one tenth of his army made it back to Egypt with him. Years later, he would refer to the battle disdainfully as “so great a disaster.”

Baldwin followed him into the Sinai peninsula, but was unable to gain an advantage and Saladin renewed his attacks in 1179. There was however an intervening year of peace, something the Crusader kingdom had not had in many years, and the victory soon became a heroic legend.

Believing that divine assistance was responsible for his triumph, Baldwin erected a Benedictine monastery on the site, dedicated to Saint Catherine of Alexandria, on whose feast day the victory had been won.