Battle of Antioch

After the capture of Antioch thanks to the betrayal of Firouz on June 3, 1098, the crusaders found themselves surrounded by Kerbogha of Mosul. Hungry and demoralized, they nevertheless organized an outing on June 28 in seven aligned battles, led by Bohemond, Robert of Flanders, Hugues of Vermandois and Raymond of Saint-Gilles. The Frankish lines pierce the Muslim left wing, while the rearguard of Tancred fixes the Turks; Kerbogha, fearing betrayal by his allies, ordered a retreat, leaving Antioch to the crusaders.

The long siege exhausted the crusaders' supplies, made worse by the flight of many pilgrims. The discovery of the Holy Lance, however, galvanizes the fighters. Kerbogha brings together contingents from Mosul, Aleppo and Damascus and attempts to starve the city. Bohemond imposes his command, negotiating that the city returns to him if the exit is successful. The Latin leaders then organize a liturgical parade, confess and arrange the army in compact formation before opening the Pont gate.

Bohemond arranged the army in seven tiered corps to absorb the pressure of the Turkish cavalry. The infantrymen form tight lines protected by bulwarks, supported by heavy cavalry ready to charge. When the Turks attempted to envelop the right wing, Raymond sent a detachment to secure the hills, while Tancred and Garnier de Gray led targeted counter-charges. The cohesion of the Frankish battles, covered by Christian Syrian archers, ruined the encirclement attempts and triggered panic in the Kerbogha camp.

The Muslim rout allowed the crusaders to secure Antioch, which Bohemond transformed into a Latin principality. Baldwin of Boulogne reinforces Edessa, while the main army resumes its march towards Jerusalem in the winter of 1098-1099. The Muslim coalition was lastingly divided, with each emir reproaching Kerbogha for his management of the battle.