Battle of Ascalon

On August 12, 1099, barely a month after the conquest of Jerusalem, the Crusader host marched at night from Ramla and rushed at dawn on the Al-Afdal camp in Ascalon. Despite their numerical inferiority, the Frankish contingents broke the Fatimid right wing, seized the banners and transformed the confrontation into a general rout, definitively ensuring the military success of the crusade. Often seen as the last action of the First Crusade (English Wikipedia). City of Ascalon remains Fatimid.

The Fatimid vizier Al-Afdal assembled a considerable force of Sudanese, Bedouin and Armenian troops in the spring of 1099 to retake Jerusalem. Arab Christian scouts warn Godfrey of the enemy concentration at Ascalon, a fortified port remaining in Egyptian hands. After a quick deliberation, the Latin leaders left a small garrison in Jerusalem, gathered around 10,000 fighters, organized their march in cohorts and silently approached the Fatimid camp hidden by the coastal orchards. Often seen as the last action of the First Crusade (English Wikipedia). City of Ascalon remains Fatimid.

English Wikipedia Battle of Ascalon notes: leave Jerusalem 10 August (Godfrey); Egyptian confirmation → Raymond and Robert of Normandy follow; meet Tancred/Eustace near Ramla. True Cross; Antioch Lance. Dawn 12 August: surprise on al-Afdal’s poorly guarded camp (Majdal). Nine divisions (Godfrey left, Raymond right, centre Tancred/Eustace/Robert/Gaston…). Short fight (<1 h in most accounts; Albert of Aix longer). Al-Afdal flees by sea; huge booty. Ascalon not taken: garrison will surrender only to Raymond, which Godfrey refuses → Fatimid base until 1153.

The destruction of the Al-Afdal camp broke the Fatimid offensive and provided the Crusaders with immense booty of weapons, camels and treasures. The absence of pursuit of the city itself - due to rivalries between Godfrey, Raymond and Tancred over the possession of Ascalon - however left the Egyptian port active, forcing the young kingdom to remain on the defensive to the south. The West nevertheless considered the crusade accomplished, and some of the pilgrims returned to Europe. Often seen as the last action of the First Crusade (English Wikipedia). City of Ascalon remains Fatimid.