Siege of Shaizar

Siege of Shaizar
Part of the Crusades

John II Komnenos negotiating with the Emir of Shaizar, 13th-century French manuscript
DateApril 28 – May 21, 1138
Location35°16′04″N 36°34′00″E / 35.26778°N 36.56667°E / 35.26778; 36.56667
Result Byzantine/Frankish victory
Belligerents
Commanders and leaders
Strength
Unknown Unknown
Casualties and losses
Unknown Unknown

The siege of Shaizar took place from April 28 to May 21, 1138. The allied forces of the Byzantine Empire, Principality of Antioch and County of Edessa invaded Muslim Syria. Having been repulsed from their main objective, the city of Aleppo, the combined Christian armies took a number of fortified settlements by assault and finally besieged Shaizar, the capital of the Munqidhite Emirate. The siege captured the city, but failed to take the citadel; it resulted in the Emir of Shaizar paying an indemnity and becoming the vassal of the Byzantine emperor. The forces of Zengi, the greatest Muslim prince of the region, skirmished with the allied army but it was too strong for them to risk battle. The campaign underlined the limited nature of Byzantine suzerainty over the northern Crusader states and the lack of common purpose between the Latin princes and the Byzantine emperor.