Tripoli is captured by Qala’un, the Sultan of Egypt.

Al Mansur Qala’un (Qalawun) ruled Egypt 1279-1290. Al Mansur became a Malmuk when he was bought for a thousand gold dinars. It’s an interesting parallel to Joseph who was a slave and as well rose to power in Egypt. Al Mansur was part of the fight against the Crusaders, as he was originally born a Turk.

On this day April 29th, in 1289, Tripoli is captured by Al Mansure Qala’un, the Sultan of Egypt. Tripoli is located where modern Lebanon is. The capture of Tripoli marked the destruction of the Crusader States because there were so few left at this point. Crusader States were countries captured by Crusaders for Christendom and taken from Muslims and Pagans (had Jews owned land they would have been included).

Tripoli was captured via the tactic of siege, which means cutting off all supplies and surrounding a city/fortress. This began at the start of March in 1289. Christians had been in control of Tripoli for 180 years, and after Qala’un captured the city, he burned it to the ground. The entire population was killed, except for 1200 women and children who were taken as slaves and sent to Alexandria.