Battle of Laodicea 1157 • High Middle Ages
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Battle of Laodicea

High Middle Ages French defeat
Historical significance:

Summary

In September 1157, Renaud de Châtillon led a daring raid against Laodicée-sur-Mer to collect tribute. Warned, Nur ad-Din descends from Aleppo with his cavalry and surprises the Franks in the middle of a raid. Wedged between the sea and the walls, the troops of Antioch are crushed; few escape capture.

Historical context

Renaud, new husband of Constance of Antioch, is looking for resources for his principality. While Baldwin III besieged Ascalon to the south, Nur ad-Din took advantage of the dispersion of the Latin forces to launch rapid counter-offensives. Alliances with Cilician Armenia weakened, reducing the number of reinforcements available for Antioch.

Tactics

Renaud divides his forces to pillage the suburbs, neglecting to post a reserve. Nur ad-Din carried out a night march, attacked at dawn and enveloped the Frankish detachments with his rapid cavalry. The mounted archers stare down the knights, who cannot reform and are slaughtered or forced out to sea.

Consequences

The defeat ruins the Antiochian field army: several barons are captured and will have to pay heavy ransoms. Renaud is forced to seek Byzantine aid, strengthening imperial supervision over Antioch. Nur ad-Din consolidated its prestige and continued its raids which led, the following year, to the capture of Harenc.

Location

Place : Laodicea-sur-Mer (today Latakia, Syria)
Coordinates : 35.5319°N, 35.7916°E

Related battles

Battle of Harenc

1164

On August 12, 1164, Raymond III of Tripoli and Bohemond III of Antioch marched to clear the fortress of Harenc besieged by Nur ad-Din. After having pushed the Muslim vanguard and pillaged the enemy camp, the crusaders continued beyond the Orontes River; Nur ad-Din, who had retained reserves, then launched an enveloping counter-offensive which crushed the Frankish army and captured most of its leaders.

Defeat

Battle of Inab

1149

On June 29, 1149, Raymond of Poitiers led the army of Antioch and Armenian auxiliaries against Nur ad-Din near the ford of Inab. After repelling a raid on Artah, he seeks a pitched battle; Nur ad-Din lures the Franks to an isolated hill, closes the noose and annihilates the army. Raymond died fighting and his head was sent to Aleppo.

Defeat

Siege of Damascus

1148

From July 24 to 28, 1148, the armies of Louis VII, Conrad III and Baldwin III surrounded Damascus. After conquering the western orchards, they installed siege machines and palisades but suffered violent counter-offensives led by Mu'in ad-Din Unur. Fearing the arrival of Zengid reinforcements, the crusaders moved their camp to the southeast; the maneuver fails and the siege is raised in confusion.

Defeat