ABSTRACT
The three-way contest for control of Egypt during the 1160s saw Fatimid, Frankish and Zankid forces clash along the Nile. By taking a close look at the campaign of 1168, the fourth and most puzzling of Amalric’s five invasions of Egypt as king of Jerusalem, this chapter aims to clarify Frankish intentions and objectives relating to Egypt during this period. It will be suggested that the campaign of 1168 represents a transition point, from what had been primarily a Frankish policy of extortion to one of conquest in cooperation with the Byzantines. Earlier campaigns were undertaken to defend Egyptian independence, allowing for the extraction of large tribute payments from the Fatimids, while keeping the resources of Egypt out of Nūr al-Dīn’s hands. Things changed with the conclusion of an alliance between Jerusalem and Constantinople in 1168, which hinged on a plan to jointly conquer Egypt the following year. Amalric’s actions appear to confirm that his invasion of Egypt in late 1168 was an effort to extract a final cash payment from the Fatimids, rather than an attempt to conquer Egypt independent of Greek assistance. Although the Byzantines would accuse the Franks of insincerity when Amalric expressed a desire to delay their departure for Egypt in 1169, this probably reflected reports of an uprising in Cairo and the king’s desire to see how this would play out, rather than a lack of commitment to the new objective of cooperative conquest.
