1158

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1158: A Year of Conquest and Revolt

The year 1158 began on a Wednesday, marking the start of another common year. This period was characterized by significant events across various regions, including the Near East, Europe, and beyond.

In the Near East, January to February saw the recapture of Harim by Baudouin III, who led a campaign against Nur ad-Din with Thierry of Flanders. They reached Dareiya, at the gates of Damascus, on an unspecified date in May, where Nur ad-Din launched an attack on the Jordanian fortress of Habis Jaldak. However, on July 15th, Baudouin III emerged victorious over Nur ad-Din in Puthaha, south of Lake Tiberias.

Following his victory, Baudouin III married the niece of the Byzantine emperor Theodora Comnena in Jerusalem in September. Meanwhile, Manuel Comnenus arrived in Cilicia and obtained the submission of Armenian prince Thoros, before marching on Antioch. He took his winter quarters to Mamistra, where Renaud de Châtillon had to make an honourable fine for his expedition against Cyprus in 1156.

Manuel's presence in Cilicia led to a renewed covenant between Baudouin III of Jerusalem and Manuel Comnenus, which was inaugurated by their marriage earlier that year. However, the planned expedition against Aleppo was aborted due to bad will from the allies. In October, Manuel concluded peace with Nur ad-Din, whose threat contained the Franks in the Byzantine movement and contained the Saljuqids.

In Europe, winter 1157-1158 saw a notable event in Zamora, Spain. A popular revolt broke out after a trout was purchased by the son of a shoemaker, which challenged the spender of a local lord. The rioters, led by Benito, closed the doors of the church and set fire to it, burning to death the occupants, including a son of the governor of the city, the Count.

The nobility met in the church to prepare their response, but the rioters fled to Portugal for fear of reprisals. They then asked King Ferdinand II of León for forgiveness, which he granted with the approval of Pope Alexander III. This event allowed Ferdinand II to remove Ponce de Cabrera, who went with his supporters to serve King Sanche III of Castile.