Battle of Ramleh
The Battle of Ramleh, fought during the Crusades, was a significant conflict between the Crusaders and the Fatimid Egyptians, aiming to reclaim Jerusalem. The Fatimid forces launched an invasion of Palestine with the objective of recapturing the city from the Crusaders. Baldwin I, the King of Jerusalem, led a smaller force of around 1,200 troops, including knights and infantry, into battle without waiting for reinforcements. Despite being vastly outnumbered by the Egyptian army, estimated at 30,000, Baldwin’s forces executed a bold charge that initially appeared to put them at a disadvantage. However, through a last push, Baldwin and his remaining riders broke the Egyptian center, leading to a rout of the Fatimid soldiers. The battle lasted approximately one hour, with significant casualties on both sides, including the loss of Saad-ed-Dowleh, the Egyptian commander. Ultimately, the victory at Ramleh contributed to the consolidation and survival of the Latin kingdom of Jerusalem, marking a pivotal moment in the ongoing conflict during the Crusades.
On this Page
Battle of Ramleh
Type of action: Ground battle in Crusades
Date: September 6, 1101
Location: Ramleh, Palestine
Combatants: 1,160 Crusaders (Franks) vs. 32,000 Egyptians (Arab Fatimid caliphate)
Principal commanders:Crusaders, Baldwin I (1058–1118); Egyptians, Emir Saad-ed-Dowleh (d. 1101)
Result: Crusaders repulse Egyptian invasion of Palestine
The Fatimids, in an attempt to win back Jerusalem from the Crusaders, launched an invasion of Palestine. Baldwin I, the Frankish king of Jerusalem, a rash and reckless leader, refused to await reenforcements and marched with his tough veterans, 200 knights, 60 mounted sergeants, and 900 infantry divided into six corps, each containing horsemen and foot soldiers.
When the armies were one thousand yards apart, the Frankish knights charged into the surging mass of Egyptians; only Baldwin and 50 riders remained with the infantry. The wings of the 30,000-man Egyptian host engulfed the advancing knights, the outermost portion coming around to attack Baldwin’s infantry. The two rightmost squadrons of the knights were rolled up so that hardly a man escaped alive. The other three were swallowed up among the multitude of Emir Saad-ed-Dowleh’s men and seemed likely to succumb when Baldwin and his small reserve charged into the thickest part of the fight. This last push broke the Egyptian center. The Fatimid army fled in rout—just in time, for the Crusader infantry was being roughly handled.
Baldwin had snatched victory from defeat, but it had been close. Frankish losses were very heavy; 80 knights and a much larger number of infantry had fallen. Arab losses were higher and included Saad-ed-Dowleh, who was left on the field. The entire fight had lasted an hour.
Significance
The repulse of the Egyptians was another step in the creation and survival of the Latin kingdom of Jerusalem.
Bibliography
Oman, Sir Charles. A History of the Art of War in the Middle Ages: 378-1278 a.d. London: Greenhill Books, 1998.
Wise, Terrence. The Wars of the Crusades 1096–1291. London: Osprey, 1978.