Siege of Alexandria (1174)

The siege of Alexandria in 1174 was a short and unsuccessful attempt by the Normans of Sicily to overthrow Saladin from Egypt.

Background
After Saladin had abolished the Fatimid Caliphate, Fatimid sympathizers began plotting against Saladin; a conspiracy led by Umara ibn Abi al-Hasan al-Yamani included Egyptians, Sudanese, and some Turkish officers and soldiers. The conspirators called for aid from the Kingdom of Jerusalem and the Kingdom of Sicily. However, Saladin was able to crack down on the conspirators and punish them. Umara was crucified on April 6, 1174. The Egyptians and Sudanese were exiled to Upper Egypt.

The Latins did not join in their attack following the death of their king, Amalric, and the news of the failed plot. However, the Normans of Sicily called for their aid despite being unaware of the plot's failure.

Siege
Under the command of his cousin Tancred of Lecce, William II sent out a fleet of 280 ships, 30,000 soldiers, and 1,500 knights. On July 28, they arrived in Alexandria. The garrison was caught completely off guard. The Normans started attacking the city walls with their siege towers, mangonels, and catapults. It was necessary for the defenders to repel the attack until night. The defenders were able to repel the attack when the Normans moved their siege artillery closer to the walls the following day, thanks to reinforcements from the nearby villages.

After the defenders launched daring sorties on July 31 and August 1 that destroyed the Norman's siege engines and killed many of them, the garrison triumphantly withdrew back inside the walls. The Normans, meanwhile, received word that Saladin was advancing on the city with his army to relieve it. The garrison's morale was boosted by these reports, and they mounted a daring nighttime sortie that drove the Normans to their ships and out to sea. The Normans left the city on August 2 and fled north.