Editing 1219 (section)

==== Fifth Crusade ====
* [[February]] &ndash; [[Pelagio Galvani|Pelagius]] orders the Crusader army to prepare an attack against the Egyptians but is unsuccessful because of the weather and strength of the defenders. Sultan [[Al-Kamil]], in command of the Egyptian forces, is almost overthrown by a conspiracy in his entourage. He considers fleeing to the Ayyubid [[Islamic history of Yemen#Ayyubids (1174–1229)|Emirate of Yemen]], ruled by his son [[Al-Mas'ud Yusuf]], but the arrival of his brother [[Al-Mu'azzam Isa|Al-Mu'azzam]], with reinforcements from [[Syria]], ends the conspiracy. On hearing the news that Al-Kamil and his army is retreating to [[Cairo]], the Crusaders march to Al-Adiliya. After driving back an assault from the garrison of [[Damietta]] they occupy the town on [[February 5]].<ref>[[Steven Runciman]] (1952). ''A History of The Crusades. Vol III: The Kingdom of Acre'', pp. 132–133. {{ISBN|978-0-241-29877-0}}.</ref>
* [[April]] &ndash; The Crusaders surround Damietta, with the Italian forces to the north, [[Knights Templar]] and [[Knights Hospitaller]] to the east – and King [[John of Brienne|John I of Jerusalem]] with his French and Pisan troops to the south. The Frisians and German troops occupy the old camp across the [[Nile]]. A new wave of Crusader reinforcements from [[Kingdom of Cyprus|Cyprus]] arrive led by [[Walter III of Caesarea]]. Meanwhile, Al-Mu'azzam decides to dismantle the fortifications at [[Mount Tabor]] and other defensive positions, as well as [[Kingdom of Jerusalem|Jerusalem]] itself, in order to deny their protection should the Crusaders prevail there. Some fanatics wish to destroy the [[Church of the Holy Sepulchre|Holy Sepulchre]], but this is refused by Al-Mu'azzam.<ref>Steven Runciman (1952). ''A History of The Crusades. Vol III: The Kingdom of Acre'', p. 133. {{ISBN|978-0-241-29877-0}}.</ref>
* [[April 7]] &ndash; [[Al-Muzaffar II Mahmud|Al-Muzaffar II]], Ayyubid ruler of [[Hama]], arrives [[Egypt in the Middle Ages|Egypt]] with Syrian reinforcements, leading multiple attacks on the Crusader camp at Al-Adiliya, with little impact. In the meantime, new Crusader forces bring badly-needed supplies. Egyptian attacks continue through May, with Crusader counter-attacks utilizing a Lombard device known as a ''[[carroccio]]'', confounding the defenders.<ref>Moses, Paul (2009). ''The Saint and the Sultan: The Crusades, Islam, and Francis of Assisi's Mission of Peace'', pp. 16–17. {{ISBN|978-0-385-52370-7}}.</ref>
* [[July 8]] &ndash; Pelagius begins multiple attacks at Damietta, using Pisan and Venetian troops. Each time they are repelled by the defenders, using [[Greek fire]]. A counter-offensive led by Al-Kamil on the Templar camp is repulsed on [[July 31]] by their new Grand Master [[Peire de Montagut]], supported by the [[Teutonic Order|Teutonic Knights]] – where the Crusaders reform and pursue the enemy outside the gates.<ref>Van Cleve, Thomas C. (1969). ''The Fifth Crusade: Prelude to the Siege'', pp. 412–413. Madison: University of Wisconsin Press.</ref> 
* [[August 29]] &ndash; The Crusaders attack the Egyptian camp in the [[Battle of Fariskur (1219)|Battle of Faraskur]] and the Muslims pretend a [[feigned retreat]] to [[Mansoura, Egypt|Mansoura]]. John I advises to camp overnight, because there is no fresh water in the region between the Nile and [[Lake Manzalah]]. Al-Kamil decides to halt the retreat and turns his forces to deliver a smashing attack upon the disorganized Crusaders, losing some 4,300 men.<ref>Van Cleve, Thomas C. (1969). ''The Fifth Crusade: Prelude to the Siege'', p. 414. Madison: University of Wisconsin Press.</ref>
* [[September]] &ndash; [[Francis of Assisi]], an Italian preacher, arrives in the Crusader camp and introduces [[Catholicism]] in Egypt. He seeks permission from Pelagius to visit Al-Kamil. After an initial refusal, he sends Francis under a flag of truce to Faraskur. Al-Kamil receives him courteously and offers him many gifts. He accepts a death-bed [[baptism]], and is escorted back to the Crusader camp.<ref>Steven Runciman (1952). ''A History of The Crusades. Vol III: The Kingdom of Acre'', pp. 134–135. {{ISBN|978-0-241-29877-0}}.</ref>                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
* October &ndash; Al-Kamil sends two captive knights as envoys, to renew his former offers of an armistice. If the Crusaders evacuate Egypt, he will return the True Cross (lost in the [[Battle of Hattin]]) and they can have Jerusalem, all central [[Palestine (region)|Palestine]] and [[Galilee]]. John I advised its acceptance, along with the nobles from [[Kingdom of England|England]], [[France in the Middle Ages|France]] and [[Kingdom of Germany|Germany]]. Pelagius again refuses the peace terms.<ref>Steven Runciman (1952). ''A History of The Crusades. Vol III: The Kingdom of Acre'', p. 136. {{ISBN|978-0-241-29877-0}}.</ref>
* [[November 5]] &ndash; [[Siege of Damietta (1218–1219)|Siege of Damietta]]: The Crusaders enter Damietta and find it abandoned. Seeing the Crusader standards flying from the towers, Al-Kamil hastily abandons his camp at Faraskur and withdraws to Mansoura. Survivors in the city are either sent into slavery or held as hostages to trade for Christian prisoners. On [[November 23]], the Crusader army captures the city of [[Tennis, Egypt|Tinnis]].<ref>Steven Runciman (1952). ''A History of The Crusades. Vol III: The Kingdom of Acre'', pp. 136–137. {{ISBN|978-0-241-29877-0}}.</ref>