Battle of Raphanie

In October 1129, the Frankish expedition lifted the siege of Damascus in pouring rain. The convoy retreats through the Raphanie gorges when the Burid horsemen emerge from the rearguard. The banners of Tripoli are toppled, the columns break and the retreat turns into flight: only a few groups led by Fulk of Anjou and Baldwin II reach the Galilee.

Baudouin II brought together overseas barons, Templars, knights from Champagne and Angevins to impose a protectorate on Damascus and secure the road to Bostra. But the siege encountered fierce resistance from the Damascene militias; the autumn rains soak the camp, food is lacking and the Bedouin alliances of the Franks disintegrate. The retirement decision is made in haste, without an effective coverage plan.

The Burids know the region's ravines: scouts cut down trees to block the path, while mounted archers harass the rearguard and cut off the baggage train. When the Franks tried to regroup, detachments emerged from the irrigated orchards to strike the flanks and the vanguard, causing the column to collapse into isolated sections that were impossible to rally.

The rout of Raphanie ruined Latin ambitions: Damascus strengthened its tribal alliances, consolidated its walls and shortly after came under the direct influence of Nur ad-Din. The Frankish barons, ruined by the losses of horses and equipment, renounced for years any offensive towards the Orontes. Despite this failure, Fulk married Mélisende and acceded to the throne in 1131, inheriting a weakened kingdom.