Khwarazmian capture of Jerusalem

Background

Remnants of the Khwarazm-Shah's army, fleeing the Mongols, roamed the Jazira and northern Syria as mercenaries in the 1230s. The Egyptian sultan al-Salih Ayyub called on these forces against his uncle al-Salih Isma'il of Damascus and his Frankish allies. In 1243 the Franks had allied with Damascus and Kerak, receiving in return control of the Haram al-Sharif as well.

Course of events

In summer 1244 Khwarazmian cavalry came south across Damascene territory and on 11 July entered Jerusalem, whose walls were weak. The population and garrison took refuge in the citadel. When no help came from the Franks, the defenders surrendered on 23 August and were allowed to leave the city.

But the column heading toward Jaffa was attacked by Khwarazmian forces and local bands; according to the sources only a few hundred of several thousand survived. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre was plundered and the tombs of the kings of Jerusalem were desecrated.

Outcome and significance

With the end of the fragile Latin rule maintained since 1229, Jerusalem passed definitively into Muslim hands; it did not come under the rule of a Christian state again until 1917. A few months later the Khwarazmians and the Egyptian army defeated the Frankish–Syrian alliance at La Forbie.

The loss of Jerusalem and the defeat at La Forbie led King Louis IX of France to take the cross and a new crusade to be proclaimed at the Council of Lyon in 1245.

Sources and debates

Letters written to the West by the patriarch of Jerusalem and the clergy of Acre, and Matthew Paris, describe the events in detail and with great horror. Among Muslim sources, Ibn Wasil and Sibt ibn al-Jawzi report the Khwarazmians' conduct and al-Salih Ayyub's policy. The number killed differs between sources and is probably exaggerated.