Editing Amalric, King of Jerusalem (section)

====Intervention in Egypt====
[[File:Map Crusader states 1165-en.svg|thumb|Crusader states and their neighbors in 1165]]
Amalric's chief aim as king was to [[Crusader invasions of Egypt|conquer Egypt]].{{sfn|Barber|2012|p=237}} Its government was in disarray: [[Dirgham]] and [[Shawar]], rival [[vizier (Fatimid Caliphate)|vizier]]s, fought for power while the [[Fatimid caliph]] was sidelined.{{sfn|Barber|2012|p=238}} Zengi's son [[Nur ad-Din Zangi|Nur ad-Din]] unified the Muslim principalities of [[Syria (region)|Syria]] by bringing the great cities of Damascus and [[Aleppo]] under his rule; if he were to conquer Egypt as well, the crusader states would be encircled.{{sfn|Baldwin|1969|pp=549-550}} Although his lords were preoccupied with extending their own holdings, Amalric could not ignore Egypt, and in this had the support of the masters of the military orders, the [[Knights Hospitaller]] and the [[Knights Templar]].{{sfn|Barber|2012|p=241}}

In 1163 the Egyptian government failed to pay the tribute. In response Amalric came with a large force within {{cvt|35|miles}} of the capital, [[Cairo]],{{sfn|Barber|2012|p=238}} and besieged [[Bilbais]].{{sfn|Baldwin|1969|pp=549-550}} Dirgham, who had driven out Shawar, desperately attempted to fend off the invaders by opening the [[floodbank]]s on the [[Nile]], but ended up agreeing to pay an even larger tribute and surrendered hostages as guarantees. After returning to Jerusalem, Amalric wrote to King [[Louis VIII of France]] that it was only the annual [[flooding of the Nile]] that prevented him from taking [[Bilbais]].{{sfn|Barber|2012|p=238}}

Shawar appealed to Nur ad-Din for help against Dirgham. Nur ad-Din dispatched [[Asad al-Din Shirkuh]], one of his most able generals, who helped Shawar defeat Dirgham and seize power. Shirkuh then decided to conquer Egypt for himself, forcing Shawar  to request help from Amalric. After Shawar offered a once again increased tribute, the king undertook his second Egyptian expedition, fully financed by Shawar, in July 1164. The invasion ended in Shirkuh's defeat and Amalric's restoration of Shawar to power.{{sfn|Barber|2012|p=238}}