Al-Afdal Shahanshah
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Al-Afdal Shahanshah, born Abu al-Qasim Shahanshah bin Badr al-Jamali, was a vizier of the Fatimid caliphs of Egypt. According to a later biographical encyclopedia, he was surnamed al-Malik al-Afdal, b
Foundational inscription from Sidon, in the name of al-Afdal
Battle of Ascalon
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The Battle of Ascalon took place on 12 August 1099 shortly after the capture of Jerusalem. Often considered the last action of the First Crusade, the Crusader army led by Godfrey of Bouillon defeated
Al-Afdal Shahanshah
…but was too late to rescue Jerusalem, which fell on 15 July 1099. On 12 August 1099, the Crusaders under Godfrey of Bouillon surprised al-Afdal at the Battle of Ascalon and completely defeated him. Al-Afdal would later reassert Fatimid control of Ascalon, as the Crusaders did not attempt to retain it, and utilize it…
Battle of Ascalon, 12 August 1099 Jean-Victor Schnetz, 1847
The Discovery of the True Cross (Gustave Doré)
Bataille d'Ascalon, 12 août 1099, oil on canvas by Prosper Lafaye, 1841, in the Salles des Croisades, Palace of Versailles
Godefroy de Bouillon dépose dans l'église du Saint-Sépulcre les trophées d'Ascalon, août 1099, oil on canvas by François-Marius Granet (1839) in the Salles des Croisades, Palace of Versailles