November 25, 1177 - Crusader forces defeat Saladin at the Battle of Montgisard (right). Upon hearing that Saladin was moving towards Jerusalem, King Baldwin IV departed the city with a force of knights and infantry with the goal of mounting a defense at Ascalon. After arriving, Baldwin was blockaded in the town by a detachment of Saladin's army. Escaping, the Crusader army encountered Saladin near Montgisard. Caught off guard, Saladin had allowed his army to become spread out and frantically attempted to reconcentrate his forces. Attacking the Ayyubid center, Baldwin's army broke Saladin's lines and drove his army from the field. With his forces broken, Saladin was forced to flee back to Egypt.

Photograph Source: Public Domain