Battle of Fariskur (1219)

The Battle of Fariskur was a significant engagement fought in 1219 during the Fifth Crusade. It took place near the town of Fariskur, located in the Nile Delta region of Egypt. The battle pitted the Crusader forces, primarily composed of troops led by John of Brienne, against the Ayyubid army under the command of Sultan al-Kamil.

The battle was a decisive Ayyubid victory. The Crusader army, weakened by disease, internal divisions, and a failed attempt to capture Damietta earlier that year, was caught unprepared and decisively defeated. The Ayyubid forces, strengthened by reinforcements and superior tactics, overwhelmed the Crusader lines.

The outcome of the Battle of Fariskur significantly weakened the Crusader position in Egypt and ultimately contributed to the failure of the Fifth Crusade. It forced the Crusaders to negotiate with al-Kamil and agree to withdraw from Damietta in exchange for a temporary truce and the return of the True Cross, although the latter never materialized. The battle marked a turning point in the Crusade, demonstrating the increasing strength of the Ayyubid dynasty and the dwindling fortunes of the Crusader campaigns in the Levant.