Pelagio, convinced, by rumor, of the imminent…

Pelagio, convinced, by rumor, of the imminent approach of a legendary oriental Christian “King David,” is optimistic despite the lack of progress: he hopes that Frederick II, newly crowned Holy Roman Emperor, will arrive with a fresh army, but he never does; instead, after a year of inactivity in both Syria and Egypt, John of Brienne returns, and in July 1221 the crusaders march south towards Cairo.

This march is observed by the forces of Al-Kamil, and frequent raids along the flanks of the army lead to the withdrawal of some two thousand German troops who refuse to continue the advance and return to Damietta.