oct 17, 1244 - Battle of Forbie

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The Battle of Forbie, fought on October 17-18, 1244, was a pivotal conflict in the Crusader states involving a coalition of forces from the Kingdom of Jerusalem, crusading orders, and local Muslim emirates against the Egyptian Ayyubid Sultanate and Khwarezmian mercenaries. The battle occurred near Forbie, northeast of Gaza, as a response to the Khwarezmians' capture of Jerusalem. Despite their numerical superiority, the allied forces were disastrously defeated by the Ayyubids led by the Mamluk officer Baybars al-Salihi.

The Christian forces, commanded by Walter IV of Brienne, initially maintained a strong position but were overwhelmed by the combined assault of the Ayyubids and Khwarezmians. The center of their formation broke under the intense attack, leading to a catastrophic defeat where the allied left flank was decimated, and the remaining forces suffered heavy casualties. Key figures such as Walter of Brienne and leaders from the knightly orders were captured or killed, marking a severe blow to the Christian military presence in the Holy Land.

The aftermath of the battle saw the Christian forces unable to field such a large army again, effectively ending their capability for major offensive operations. The battle prompted Pope Innocent IV to call for the Seventh Crusade at the First Council of Lyon in 1245, highlighting the international impact of the conflict. The Ayyubid victory at Forbie, while significant, did not lead to lasting stability, as internal conflicts among the victors soon emerged. This battle, more than any other, signaled the definitive decline of Crusader power in the region.

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