The remnants of the army of Conrad…
August 1148 CE
The remnants of the army of Conrad had been able to join the army of the king of France.
Both armies had followed the path left by the first Crusaders advance to Philadelphia in Lydia.
In this city, the Germans were still exposed to attack and decided to return to Constantinople.
Conrad III, reconciled with Manuel, goes on to capture Acre with ships of the imperial fleet.
The troops of Louis VII had followed the coast, then took the road to the East.
The Seljuqs were waiting on the banks of the river Meander, but the Franks had forced the passage and marched to Laodicea, which they reach on January 6, the day of the Epiphany.
They then march to the mountains that form the eastern border of Pisidia.
The vanguard, led by Geoffrey de Rancon, has been recklessly placed too far ahead of the army.
King Louis, with the main column, ignores this fact, and proceeds onward.
The French soldiers walk with confidence, convinced that their comrades occupy the heights in front of them.
However, the Seljuqs have the advantage when the French ranks break and rush upon them, swords in hand.
The French retreat to a narrow gorge, bordered on one side with precipices and crags on the other.
Horses, men, and baggage are forced into the abyss.
King Louis is able to escape the fray, leans against a tree and stands alone against multiple attackers.
At night, the king takes advantage of the darkness to join the vanguard of his army, which previously had been believed dead.
After the battle, the army of the king of France, which has suffered heavy losses, barely reaches Attaleia on January 20.
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