Battle of Mount Cadmus facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Mount Cadmus
Part of the Second Crusade
From a copy of the Passages d'outremer (c. 1490)
Date January 6, 1148 Location Pisidia (modern-day Turkey) Result Seljuk victory
Belligerents
Kingdom of France	Sultanate of Rum
Commanders and leaders
Louis VII	Mesud I
Strength
Unknown	Unknown
Casualties and losses
heavy casualties, including: William de Warren Everard of Breteuil Manassas of Bulles Gautier of Montjay Reynauld of Tours Itiers of Meingnac	Unknown

The Battle of Mount Cadmus was a big fight that happened near Laodicea in what is now Turkey. It took place on January 6, 1148, during the Second Crusade. In this battle, the French crusader army, led by their king, Louis VII of France, was defeated by the Seljuks of Rum.

What Led to the Battle

The Crusader armies, especially the German one, weren't very organized. As they traveled through the Balkans, they caused some problems. The Byzantine emperor, Manuel I Comnenus, was worried about the Crusaders. He feared they would make the Principality of Antioch too strong. He also worried they would weaken his alliance with Germany against Roger II of Sicily.

In the autumn of 1147, both Conrad III and Louis VII refused to show respect to the Byzantine emperor. Because of this, Roger II took over Corfu and Cephalonia. He also attacked and robbed the cities of Corinth and Thebes.

The French and German armies decided to travel separately. Conrad's German army faced a big defeat at the Battle of Dorylaeum on October 25, 1147.

The remaining German soldiers joined the French army. They followed the same path that the first Crusaders had taken, heading towards Philadelphia. In this city, the Germans were still being attacked. So, they decided to go back to Constantinople. Conrad III made peace with Emperor Manuel. He then captured Acre using Byzantine ships.

King Louis VII's French troops continued along the coast. Then they turned east. The Seljuk forces were waiting for them by the Meander River. But the French managed to cross the river. They marched towards Laodicea, arriving there on January 6. This day is known as the Epiphany. After that, they marched into the mountains that separate Phrygia from Pisidia.

The Battle Itself

The front part of the French army, led by Geoffrey de Rancon, moved too far ahead. King Louis, with the main group, didn't realize this. He kept moving forward. The French soldiers felt confident, thinking their friends were holding the high ground ahead.

However, the Seljuks had a surprise advantage. They attacked when the French lines broke apart. The French soldiers were forced to retreat into a narrow gorge. On one side were steep cliffs, and on the other, jagged rocks. Horses, men, and supplies were pushed into the deep drop-offs.

King Louis VII managed to escape the chaos. He leaned against a tree and fought alone against many attackers. When night fell, the king used the darkness to find the front part of his army. They had thought he was dead. After this tough battle, the French army had lost many soldiers. They barely made it to Attaleia on January 20.

Images for kids

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  A drawing from the Passages d'outremer showing a battle scene.