This week in Christian history: Last battle of First Crusade, Mars Hill removed from Acts 29

By Michael Gryboski, Mainline Church Editor Sunday, August 06, 2023

Last battle of the First Crusade fought – Aug. 12, 1099

A 19th century depiction of the 1099 battle of Ascalon, a major victory for Christian forces in the First Crusade. | Public Domain

This week marks the anniversary of the Battle of Ascalon, in which soldiers of the First Crusade successfully defeated a Muslim army that was raised to try and take back Jerusalem.

Shortly after the Crusaders had taken Jerusalem, an Islamic Fatimid army led by Vizier al-Afdal Shahanshah was threatening the holy city from the south. The Crusaders intercepted them at the Fatimid-held city of Ascalon.

“Though more numerous, the Fatimid army was poorly trained relative to those the crusaders had faced previously and was composed of a mix of ethnicities from throughout the caliphate,” wrote Kennedy Hickman of ThoughtCo in 2019.

“Striking hard and fast, the Crusaders quickly overwhelmed the Fatimids on most parts of the battlefield. In the center, Robert of Normandy, leading the cavalry, shattered the Fatimid line. Nearby, a group of Ethiopians mounted a successful counterattack but were defeated when Godfrey assaulted their flank.”

Considered the final battle of the First Crusade, the Crusaders secured Jerusalem while the Fatimids would eventually use Ascalon, which remained in their possession, for future attacks on the Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem.