Certainty: 2 Final attempts to find a role for the crusaders were unsuccessful; departure of Conrad III Certainty: 2
1149
Certainty: 2 Reactions to the death of Raymond of Antioch Certainty: 2
Certainty: 2 Baldwin III & the barons of his kingdom fortified Gaza Certainty: 2
1150
Certainty: 2 Reactions to the disappearance of Joscelin II of Edessa Certainty: 2
Certainty: 2 Negotiations to save the remains of the county of Edessa Certainty: 2
Certainty: 2 Baldwin III's march to save Christians from Tell Bashir (1): as far as 'Ayn Tab Certainty: 2
Certainty: 3 Baldwin III's march to save Christians from Tell Bashir (2): beyond 'Ayn Tab Certainty: 3
1152
Certainty: 3 Baldwin III was crowned on Easter Day without his mother's knowledge Certainty: 3
Andronikos (I) from Cilicia treacherously won over Baldwin III & Mas'ud of IkonionCertainty: 2
Certainty: 2 Civil war in Jerusalem halted by a compromise from Melisende Certainty: 2
Certainty: 2 Unsuccessful pressure on princess Constance of Antioch to choose a prince Certainty: 2
Certainty: 2 Failed attempt to heal the marriage of Raymond II: his assassination Certainty: 2
1153
Certainty: 3 Baldwin III raided Askalon, then decided to besiege it: the list of attackers Certainty: 3
Certainty: 2 Siege of Askalon: the first five months Certainty: 2
Certainty: 2 Constance, princess of Antioch, married Reynaud of Chatillon Certainty: 2
Certainty: 3 Siege of Askalon: varying fortunes of war Certainty: 3
Certainty: 3 Siege of Askalon: the citizens decided to capitulate
The people of Askalon won a truce for the dead of both sides to be buried, then lost forty men carrying a beam to a huge stone from a Christian catapult. They began to discuss surrender, dramatised by William of Tyre as a speech made by wise and eloquent elders before the city's remaining population. The speech narrated fifty years of proud resistance against the stubborn Latin invaders, in which Askalon alone was undefeated; but present sufferings were unbearable, their power and will to resist much reduced, so that it was essential to ask Baldwin III for terms. There were cries of assent. Baldwin received a deputation offering surrender in return for safe departure. He listened, paused to consult, then accepted with tears of joy. Oaths were sworn: the people were to leave the city safely in three days with all their possessions. Baldwin's standard was raised over the city. The people left after two days: the Christians entered and gave thanks in the main mosque, which became the church of St Paul. The patriarch organised canons with set incomes, and chose Absalom as bishop, to the protests of Gerald, bishop of Bethlehem (the pope later upheld the protest, removed Absalom and awarded the church of Askalon to Bethlehem). Baldwin gave Askalon to his brother Amalric, and on the advice of Melisende distributed other possessions and lands, some on merit, some for payment. The people of Askalon had Latin guides to al-Arish, but were later attacked and robbed by a faithless Turkish comrade Nocquinus, who had served them for pay. He pretended to act as their escort but left them wandering in the desert
1154
Certainty: 2 Usama's family captured & robbed while passing Acre Certainty: 2
1159
Manuel received Baldwin III of Jerusalem coolly, then let him intercede for the Antiochenes & TorosCertainty: 2
Manuel insisted on triumphal entry to Antioch, supported by Latins, & stayed in the palace for 8 daysCertainty: 3
Baldwin suffered a broken arm following Manuel in the hunt, then was impressed by his medical skillCertainty: 2
1160
Manuel mobilised fully against Kilic Arslan, summoning all those who had sworn military helpCertainty: 2