History of the Crusades

the Crusades Episode 90 disaster strikes.

Hello again.

Last week following the Baron's Crusade, we saw the territory of the kingdom of Acre expand to levels not seen since the Battle of Hattin.

The expansion of territory on paper, however, masked internal disunity within the

crusader states as the military orders clashed with each other, and the factions of local noblemen fought for supremacy.

Across the Muslim world too things were in a state of flux as various Muslim leaders jostled for position following the death of Al-Kamil.

Panning out even further, the wider region of Asia was experiencing instability as the invading Mongol armies pushed

out of the Step region, conquering territory and displacing local people.

One of the many people displaced by the all-conquering Mongols

were the Quarizmians.

A Muslim-Turkish people, the Quarizmians, had originally themselves displaced the Selyuk Turks,

and had settled on land extending from India to Iraq.

Fleeing before the Mongol invasion, the Quarizmians found themselves being pushed westwards

towards the Holy Land.

Surviving for the moment as mercenaries,

but hoping to conquer enough territory to establish a new homeland,

the Quirismians were approached by Alkamil's eldest son, Alsely Ayub, who wished to secure

their services. In exchange for money and land, Alsalee engaged the Quarizmians to attack Syria, hoping to use them

to crush the ambitions of both his uncle Ismail of Damascus and his cousin

Al-Nizia of Kerak.

In June 1244, an army of over 10,000 Quarizmian horsemen galloped westwards into the territory

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