7. The Siege of Tripoli, 1102-1109
The siege of the city of Tripoli refers to the Lebanese city of that name, not the Libyan city and port. It was besieged by Crusaders under Raymond IV of Toulouse who constructed a massive fortification outside the city, known as the Mons Peregrinus (Pilgrim’s Mountain). The presence of the fortress blocked food and other items from reaching Tripoli, and over the course of the next several years, Tripolitan forces and those of their allies made repeated attacks against the Frankish troops occupying the fortifications. In one such attack, in September, 1104, Raymond suffered serious wounds. He lingered until February before dying, during which period he negotiated a truce with Muslim leaders of the city.
The agreement was ignored by Raymond’s successors in command of the Crusaders, and in July, 1109, a reinforced Frankish force sallied forth from their mountain fortress and assaulted the weakened city. The Muslim defenders were defeated, and in celebration of their victory, the Crusaders thoroughly pillaged the city, exiling the few survivors they did not enslave. Tripoli remained in the hands of the Crusaders for the next 180 years, becoming a major producer of silk. It also provided citrus fruit and sugar to Europe. Today, Tripoli is the third-largest city in Lebanon, with a population which is primarily Muslim, though many churches erected by the Crusaders still stand.