Siege of Caesarea Maritima (1265)

Fall of Caesarea Maritima (1265)
Part of The Crusades
Caesarea Crusader walls
Date 27 February – 5 March 1265 Location Caesarea Maritima Result Mamluk victory
Belligerents
Mamluk Sultanate	Kingdom of Jerusalem
Commanders and leaders
Baibars	Unknown
Strength
5 catapults	Unknown
Casualties and losses
Unknown	Unknown

In the year 1265, the Crusader fortress Caesarea Maritima fell to the Mamluks led by Sultan Baybars after a siege of one week. Baybars then demolished the fortress.

Background

When the Mamluk Sultan Baybars ascended to the throne, he inherited a long truce between the Mamluks and the Kingdom of Jerusalem. When the truce expired in 1265, Baybars had no intention of extending it. Earlier, Hulegu Khan and Louis IX of France had diplomatic talks regarding a joint attack against the Mamluks. Baybars was determined to crush the weakest party in this potential coalition, which was the Levantine Crusaders. ^[1] Baybars began his campaign against the two Crusader coastal fortresses: Caesarea Maritima and Arsuf. Baybars began cutting wood for siege engines and declared Jihad. ^[2] Baybars had 5 catapults. ^[3]

Fall

On February 27th, the Mamluks showed up at the gates of Caesarea without any warning. The Mamluks were easily able to capture the walls without the need of a ladder. The defenders retreated to the citadel, hoping its strong walls, which were fortified by Louis IX, would protect them. The Mamluks began bombarding the citadel with stones and Greek fire from catapults. Baybars himself participated in the fighting, climbing to the top of a church tower and beginning to shoot arrows at those who exposed themselves. Meanwhile, the Mamluk light cavalry was outside, ready to intercept any Crusader relief force; however, none came. With no help arriving, the Crusaders evacuated using rescue boats on March 5. Left to its fate, Baybars' victory had been easy. ^{[4] [5] [6]}

Aftermath

Baybars ordered the destruction of the city and its citadel, as he planned to make them unusable since the Crusaders possessed the naval supremacy. He made sure that the possibility of crusading was no more. Baybars continued his campaign; the nearby town of Haifa surrendered. On March 19, Baybars attacked Arsuf. ^{[7] [8]}

References

1. Dan Jones
2. Roger Crowley, p. 61
3. Carole Hillenbrand, p. 538
4. Dan Jones
5. Roger Crowley, p. 62
6. Carole Hillenbrand, p. 538
7. Dan Jones
8. Carole Hillenbrand, p. 538

Sources

• Dan Jones (2019), Crusaders, The Epic History of the Wars for the Holy Lands.

• Roger Crowley (2019), Accursed Tower, The Crusaders' Last Battle for the Holy Land.

• Carole Hillenbrand (2018), The Crusades: Islamic Perspectives.