Capture of Tyre

Background

With its strong island walls and harbour, Tyre was one of the last great cities on the Palestinian–Lebanese coast still held by the Fatimids; a Frankish siege in 1111–1112 had failed. A large Venetian fleet under Doge Domenico Michiel defeated the Fatimid navy off Ascalon in 1123. On behalf of the kingdom, Patriarch Warmund concluded with Venice the agreement known as the Pactum Warmundi: Venice would receive a third of the city to be taken and commercial privileges throughout the kingdom.

Course of events

The siege began in February 1124. Venetian ships closed the harbour while the Frankish army held the narrow isthmus on the landward side. Besides Fatimid soldiers, the city held a garrison sent by Toghtekin, atabeg of Damascus.

Neither Toghtekin's relief army nor raids from Ascalon could lift the siege. With its supplies exhausted, the city surrendered on 7 July 1124 on condition that the inhabitants could leave with their property. The city was not sacked after the surrender.

Outcome and significance

With Tyre taken, the whole Palestinian–Lebanese coast except Ascalon was in Frankish hands. The city became one of the kingdom's most important harbours and an archiepiscopal see; William of Tyre would later be its archbishop. Venice's quarter and privileges in Tyre formed the most comprehensive agreement determining the weight of the Italian cities in the economy of the Latin East.

Sources and debates

Fulcher of Chartres describes the siege as a contemporary, and William of Tyre in detail as the history of his own city, giving the text of the Pactum Warmundi. Ibn al-Qalanisi gives the terms of surrender and the migration of the inhabitants to Damascus. The limits of the king's share and of Venice's privileges became matters of dispute in later years.