Battle of al-Babein

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The Battle of al-Babein was fought in 1167 between Crusaders and Egyptian forces. The Crusaders were attempting an invasion of Egypt, but were repelled.

The Battle of al-Babein, the King of Jerusalem, Amalric I, launched a campaign to control Egypt. Pursuing Muslim forces, the knights, in their zeal, pressed ahead of the foot. The Muslims then turned to fight on ground selected to minimize the effect of the Crusader charge, here by selectively withdrawing a part of his forces, the Arab commander, Shirkuh, was able to dissipate the charge and cause the knights to be break up into smaller groups.

While the battle was a tactical stalemate, the knights lost one third of their number and the opportunity to smash the Arab army and take control of Egypt.

It was followed up by the second battle, that of Marj 'Ayyun.

[edit] References

Friar Thomas Bacon (David Moreno), The Organization of Crusading Armies, July 1991, A.S. XXVI issue of the Dragonflyre, a publication of the Barony of Vatavia. [1]