Battles & Wars: 1001-1200

On Good Friday 1014, the forces of Munster and Leinster clashed at the Battle of Clontarf outside Dublin, Ireland. The battle was a result of the King of Leinster, Máel Mórda mac Murchada, rebelling against the High King of Ireland, Brian Boru. Brian's forces were victorious at Clontarf, however both leaders were killed sinking Ireland into regional warfare.

The Battle of Kleidion was the climatic fight of Emperor Basil II's 1014 invasion of Bulgaria. Excuting a brilliant flanking maneuver, Basil's forces routed the Bulgarians and captured 14,000. Following Kleidion, the ruler of Bulgaria, Samuil, died and his country was conquered by the Byzantines.

Fought on September 25, 1066, the Battle of Stamford Bridge pitted the forces of Harold Godwinson against those of Norwegian King Harald Hardrada. The latter had invaded England with the goal of claiming the English crown for himself. In a bloody battle at Stamford Bridge, Harald was killed and the invasion repulsed.

Invading England in the fall of 1066, William of Normandy met the Anglo-Saxon forces of Harold Godwinson at the Battle of Hastings on October 14. Fighting on Senlac Ridge, William's forces overcame determined resistance from the English to win the day. Following the victory at the Battle of Hastings, William advanced on London and forced the...

The Battle of Manzikert was fought August 26, 1071, between the Byzantine Empire and the Suljuk Turks. In the fighting at the Battle of Manzikert, the Byzantines were badly defeated. The Battle of Manzikert also saw Emperor Romanos IV captured by the Seljuks.

The Siege of Jerusalem was conducted June 7-July 15, 1099, during the First Crusade. Approaching Jerusalem, Crusader forces under Raymond of...

The Battle of Ascalon was fought August 12, 1099 between Crusader forces and the Fatimids. Advancing from Jerusalem, Godfrey of Bouillon encountered the Fatimid army on the plains of Ascalon. Attacking, his men drove the enemy from the field, securing the Crusaders' conquests.

The Battle of the Standard occurred August 22, 1138, in northern England. Invading England in support of his niece Matilda's claim to the throne, David also sought territorial gains. Encountering an English army led by William of Aumale, David was beaten at the Battle of the Standard and forced to withdraw to Carlisle.

Fought on May 29, 1176, the Battle of Legnano was a key engagement in Frederick I Barbarossa's Fifth Italian Campaign. Leading reinforcements from Germany, Frederick was intercepted by the troops of the Lombard League. Attacking near Legnano, Frederick initially had success until a decisive counterattack broke his lines and routed his forces.

The Battle of Montgisard was fought in 1177, between King Baldwin IV of Jerusalem and Saladin. Catching Saladin by surprise, Baldwin was able to rout Saladin's army as it moved on Jerusalem. Driving Saladin from the field, Montgisard proved a vital victory for the Crusaders as it dispersed Saladin's army temporarily removing the threat of invasion.

The Battle of Hattin was fought July 4, 1187, during the Crusades. Lured out of the Jerusalem defenses, a Crusader army was attacked by Saladin near the Horns of Hattin. In the resulting Battle of Hattin, the Crusaders were crushed.

Lasting from September 20 to October 2, 1187, the Siege of Jerusalem saw Saladin retake the city from Christian forces. Led by Balian of Ibelin, the defenders fought desperately to keep the city, but were ultimately overwhelmed by Saladin's army. After several days of fighting, Balian negotiated its surrender and the Christians were allowed to peacefully leave the city.

The Siege of Acre lasted from August 1189 to July 12, 1191, during the Third Crusade. The siege began when Guy of Lusignan attacked Acre in 1189. The Siege of Acre continued and saw Saladin besiege the besiegers before the city finally fell.

The Battle of Arsuf was fought September 7, 1191, during the Third Crusade. Advancing south from Acre, Crusader forces under Richard the Lionhearted engaged Muslim forces led by Saladin. The Battle of Arsuf was a victory for the Crusaders which led to a change in strategies on the part of Saladin.