Baldwin II made fruitful raids on Damascus & Askalon

Summary:
After 'Azaz, once the truce had been broken, Baldwin made a successful raid on Damascus. He thoroughly ruined three of the richest villages there, and returned with as much booty as he could carry; this he distributed according to the established rules. As he reached home, he heard that a new Egyptian army had arrived at Askalon, by their garrision rotation system. He provoked the inexperienced soldiers to come out and attack, then drove them back from ambush with great ferocity, nearly penetrating inside Askalon. An important victory was won, but no booty, as people had concealed their animals 
Dates:
1125 
Baldwin of Bourcq, Baldwin II, king of Jerusalem (Baldwin 52)
  • Made a fruitful raid on Damascus; had just returned when it was announced that an Egyptian army had arrived at Askalon, in regular rotation of garrison; sent light cavalry to provoke an attack, then defeated them from ambush (: ) William of Tyre bk. 13, 17.1-44
  • As the truce made between himself and Tughtigin 4001 had been broken, he made a raid into Damascene territory; he thoroughly ruined three of the richest villages there, and returned with as much booty as he could carry; this he distributed according to the established rules (:) Fulcher of Chartres 3.46.1-2
  • He went straight on to Askalon, where a new army had just arrived by the garrison rotation system; ithey were lured out of the city to attack, and then driven back with great ferocity, which nearly penetrated inside; an important victory was won, but no booty, as people had concealed their animals (:) Fulcher of Chartres 3.46.3-7
Tughtakin, atabeg of Damascus (Tughtigin 4001)
  • Took part with Bursuq 4002 in campaign which led to battle of 'Azaz; later, when the truce had run out, suffered a raid from Baldwin 52 on territory of Damascus, which gained Baldwin much plunder (: ) William of Tyre bk. 13, 16.24-17.7