Fifth Crusade
Defeat, and Another Offer
Despite the dangers, a Crusader force went around the city to attack it from the south, where they were exposed to being attacked themselves by the Egyptians. Three times Pelagius tried this tactic in July, and three times it failed, not least because of the courageous defense put up by the citizens of Damietta. The Egyptians did indeed attack, but they were unable to pry the Christians out of their defense works. The worst attack came on July 31, when the Egyptians penetrated right into the Templar camp before they were driven back with heavy losses.
Despite the dangers and the losses, and despite the opposition of many of the barons, Pelagius continued to order attacks, and had support of enough of the army to do so. In the middle of August, though, the Nile had sunk so low that the ships could not approach the city walls close enough for the scaling ladders to reach. They were stymied now. They were hot, and they had been in Egypt for over a year. Grumbling broke out all around, until the leaders agreed to a general assault on the Egyptian camp at al-Fariskur.
The Crusader army advanced on August 29. Upon their approach, the Egyptians struck camp and retreated. The Crusaders paused, uncertain as to what to do. When al-Kamil saw this, he quickly ordered an attack. The Christians were unprepared and were soon routed. Only the strong leadership of John and the military orders saved the army at all; even so, thousands died that day
Thinking the Christians had lost enough to see reason, al-Kamil renewed his February offer, sweetening the deal by offering also to return the True Cross, to help finance the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem, and to return the many prisoners he had captured. Again John and others strongly urged acceptance of the offer, and again Pelagius (along with the military orders, the Italians, and most of the clergy) refused. The Cardinal was counting on the arrival of another large army, promised by the Emperor Frederick.