Siege of Ascalon (Premysloides Dynasty)

Prelude
After Landing in Ascalon, Imperial Army and Templars captured city mostly intact. They were able to use local sewage system, wells, fishing ports, they dismantle many houses in to materials for fortification, but had only few hours, or days until Mamluk Army will return with full strenght. Imperial Forces sieged many horses, sheeps and goats, which became important for sustainable food supplying. Romanos also used remaining free time and initiated various raids to local villages for animals and food.

Enormous amount of supplies, especially dried meat, salt, grain and fat were transported on various ships and Philantropenos sent most of his fleet to collect another supplies on Crete and return. However, this "supply line", was only one time fullfilled. Then, Mamluk Fleet encirceled Ascalon from sea and prevented anymore supplying defenders by naval forces.

Imperial Forces
After fall of Ascalon, Imperial Army in city have 9,500 troops, Templars had 500 knights, archers and riders in city. Aside of them, Romanos ordered his officers and troops to train local Christians who joined defenders to be prepare for fight. He also reopened blacksmiths, order gather iron ore from local supplies, wood for arrows and anything other, that can help with defense.

Mamluk Forces
Numbers of Mamluk Forces very varied through time of siege. At first, they sent about 4,500 troops and cavalry to recapture city, as they heavily underestimated Imperial Forces. Most of this first wave was not only repeled, but completely destroyed, as they perished under artillery and archer fire.

Second wave was much stronger. 8,000 infantry, 4,000 cavalry, 10,000 militia and catapults and ballistas. However, siege weapons became very ineffective as artillery had larger range and was able to destroy any siege weapon before they were able to hit city fortification.

According historical estimates, through whole siege, Mamluk Forces reached at peak in one time 35,000 men and on siege participated about 150,000 soldiers in various periods.

Siege
With rationing, careful using of artillery, very specialized and highly organized military division of labour, sporadic success of supply ships penetrating Mamluk blockade, Romanos and other commanders leading defense of city, were able to repel attacks and keep defense for 3,5 years, until November 1263 when unified armies of Mongols and their vassals and Crusader allies arrived to Ascalon and lift siege of Ascalon.

Aftermath
There are two different point of views about siege of Ascalon. According imperial military historian Jovianus Arcadus, "Siege of Ascalon played crucial role in weakening Mamluk Sultanate and keeping numerous supplies and reinforcements from battlefields."

Controversial Armenian author Maklan Pakraian, author of popular, but disputed historical book serie "Great Crusade - Great Defeat", wrote: "... Siege of Ascalon was another brilliant movement of Mongols, how to keep all vassals and allies weaken. Whole Great Crusade was one great charáde of Hulegu Khan to not only destroy his enemies, but also to destroy his allies and vassals. During Siege of Ascalon, Roman Imperial Forces, just like Templars, were tied to this, had to use gold, silver, supplies, blood of hundreds, to defend besieged Ascalon, while Emperor was not able to participate in starting First Pan-European War. Siege of Ascalon had little, or no effect on real conditions in battlefields and on frontlines and is part of heroical myth of Romanos V."