Battle of Al-Ruways
1266 battle of the Crusades
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In the year 1266, the Mamluk Sultan Baybars besieged and captured the fort of Safed. This victory allowed the Mamluks to rule over Galilee. Afterwards, he advanced against Toron and captured it without resistance. Baybars destroyed the Christian village of Qara after being rumored to be helping the Crusaders. After these major campaigns, the Mamluks attempted to mount an assault against Antioch but failed. It would be only a matter of time before the Mamluks could launch another attack. Seeing their losses, the Crusaders attempted a counterattack. In August, Hugh III of Cyprus arrived in Acre and began assembling a force to raid the Muslims. The French regiment under Geoffrey of Sargines and the military orders of Templars, Hospitallers, and Teutons joined forces with Hugh.
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Battle
In October, the Crusaders set out from Acre with a force of 1,100–1,200 men. They set out towards the Tiberias district in the Galilee. The Mamluk garrison of Safed learned of the raid and began preparing to cut off their return. The Mamluks laid an ambush in the village of Al-Ruways. Shortly after, the Crusader began returning home. The vanguard was formed by the military orders led by Geoffrey. The vanguard became careless and lost contact with the main force, which was led by Hugh. The Mamluks surprised the Crusaders on the 28th and massacred them. Local Arabs joined the battle and began killing Crusader survivors and sacking their camp on the following night. Learning of this, Hugh was forced to retreat with heavy losses. The Crusader losses mounted to 500 killed, including 45 Hospitallers, including Stehpan of Messy, who was the grand commander in Acre.