Battle of Jacob's Ford (1179)

Also known as Vadum Iacob, Chastellet

King Baldwin IV had begun, in late 1178, to build a major castle — Chastellet — at Jacob's Ford on the Upper Jordan, in clear violation of an existing truce with Saladin. The site dominated the main crossing on the Damascus–Acre road and threatened to amputate Saladin's communications between Egypt and Syria. Saladin first tried to buy the project off; when Baldwin refused, the Ayyubid army arrived in late August 1179 with the half-finished castle still vulnerable. After five days of mining and assault, the walls were breached on 30 August and the garrison massacred. The destruction of Chastellet eliminated the only Crusader strongpoint on the upper Jordan and is regarded by many historians as a critical step on the road to Hattin.

Coordinates: 33.0192°, 35.6261°

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