Siege of Silves (1189)

Preparations and manoeuvres: we need a better explanation of what this image is

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The fleets entered the estuary of the Arade on 17 July and dropped anchor.{{sfn|Loud|2010|pp=196–197}}{{sfn|David|1939|p=617 n112}} According to the ''Narratio'', the land was empty because its inhabitants had fled for refuge to the city. Raiding parties were sent out to plunder and burn the nearby villages. Two men from Bremen got separated and were ambushed by a force of ten Almohad cavalry. A pinnace was sent upriver and via the [[Odelouca River|Odelouca]] to establish contact with the Portuguese camp about {{convert|16|mi|km}} away.{{sfn|Loud|2010|pp=196–197}} Sancho had delegated command to a lieutenant, who is unnamed in the ''Narratio''.{{sfn|Lay|2009|p=156}} According to al-Marrākushī, he was Pedro Henriques, but there is some doubt about the accuracy of al-Marrākushī on this point.{{sfn|David|1939|p=618 n120}} On 18 July, the crusaders were joined by a ship from Brittany. The same day, the Portuguese commander came to the anchorage to discuss the attack. According to the ''Narratio'', he proposed attacking a place called Dardea instead of Silves, but the crusaders refused.{{sfn|Loud|2010|pp=196–197}} (If Dardea is an error for Gardea, it may be equated with [[Cartaya]].{{sfn|Slaughter|1968|p=25}}) The fleets entered the estuary of the Arade on 17 July and dropped anchor.{{sfn|Loud|2010|pp=196–197}}{{sfn|David|1939|p=617 n112}} According to the ''Narratio'', the land was empty because its inhabitants had fled for refuge to the city. Raiding parties were sent out to plunder and burn the nearby villages. Two men from Bremen got separated and were ambushed by a force of ten Almohad cavalry. A pinnace was sent upriver and via the [[Odelouca River|Odelouca]] to establish contact with the Portuguese camp about {{convert|16|mi|km}} away.{{sfn|Loud|2010|pp=196–197}} Sancho had delegated command to a lieutenant, who is unnamed in the ''Narratio''.{{sfn|Lay|2009|p=156}} According to al-Marrākushī, he was Pedro Henriques, but there is some doubt about the accuracy of al-Marrākushī on this point.{{sfn|David|1939|p=618 n120}} On 18 July, the crusaders were joined by a ship from Brittany. The same day, the Portuguese commander came to the anchorage to discuss the attack. According to the ''Narratio'', he proposed attacking a place called Dardea instead of Silves, but the crusaders refused.{{sfn|Loud|2010|pp=196–197}} (If Dardea is an error for Gardea, it may be equated with [[Cartaya]].{{sfn|Slaughter|1968|p=25}})
[[File:Silves-maures.jpg|thumb|Muslim Silves.]] On 19 July, the crusaders sailed up the Arade as far as they could while the Portuguese marched to a position just ahead of them. On 20 July, they approached the city on [[skiff]]s and, according to the ''Narratio'', "pitched camp so that it was well within double bowshot of the wall."{{sfn|Loud|2010|p=197}} They were probably on the western side of the city.{{sfn|David|1939|p=619 n141}} A cavalry troop galloped out to provoke a response and, against orders, some crusaders charged them. They were attacked from the walls and retreated after suffering casualties.{{sfn|Loud|2010|p=198}} The camp was moved closer to the walls of the suburb and the crusaders spent the day preparing ladders for an assault the following morning.{{sfn|Loud|2010|p=198}}{{sfn|David|1939|p=621 n169}} On 19 July, the crusaders sailed up the Arade as far as they could while the Portuguese marched to a position just ahead of them. On 20 July, they approached the city on [[skiff]]s and, according to the ''Narratio'', "pitched camp so that it was well within double bowshot of the wall."{{sfn|Loud|2010|p=197}} They were probably on the western side of the city.{{sfn|David|1939|p=619 n141}} A cavalry troop galloped out to provoke a response and, against orders, some crusaders charged them. They were attacked from the walls and retreated after suffering casualties.{{sfn|Loud|2010|p=198}} The camp was moved closer to the walls of the suburb and the crusaders spent the day preparing ladders for an assault the following morning.{{sfn|Loud|2010|p=198}}{{sfn|David|1939|p=621 n169}}