Pisan raids on the Balearics (1114)
Muslim pirates based in the Balearic islands were a major problem for Christian traders in the eleventh and twelfth century. In 113, Pope Pascal II issued a papal bull in favour of a crusade against the islands, and the Pisans, with their allies from Genoa and Barcelona, were able to seize Ibiza and Majorca. This account of the invasion comes from Ibn Kardabus.
In the year 508 (began 7 June
1114) the Pisans and Genoese combined, and built 300 ships and went to Yabisa
(Ibiza) in the region of Mayurqa (Majorca). They overran it and took prisoners
and booty. Then they went to the island of Majorca. The governor prior to the
arrival of the enemy in these districts had been al-Murtada of al-Andalus, who
declared himself independent there on the collapse of the Umayyads in al-Andalus,
when others were doing the same. When he died [in 1094], one of his eunuchs took
over, called Mubashir, with the honorific title Nasir al-Daula. He was by origin
from Qal`at Hamir (Castelldasens) in the jurisdiction of Larida (Lerida). He had
been captured as a youth and castrated by the enemy. Al-Murtada sent an envoy to
"Rome" [probably, the Christian court at Barcelona] for various
reasons, and the envoy was favourably impressed by the intelligence and the
noble quality of the lad Mubashir, whom he ransomed. [The envoy] presented him
to al-Murtada, who was pleased with him, and made him one of his close
courtiers. [Al-Murtada] found in him the ability to serve kings that he was
looking for. He was lofty in his thoughts and of a praiseworthy character,
blessed with many virtues and magnanimity. When the enemy descended on him, he
manned his defences until he died (God have mercy upon him!); his decision to
fight the enemy was not approved of. He was succeeded by his relative, the
general Abu'l-Rabi'a Sulaiman b. Labun [Burabe in the Christian sources], who
fought fiercely until the enemy overcame him and took possession of the town
[i.e. Palma].
During the siege, Nasir al-Daula (that is, the
eunuch Mubashir) had written to the Commander of the Muslims ['Ali b. Yusuf b.
Tashufin the Almoravid], calling upon his support and assistance. He despatched
his letter with an officer, Abu ‘Abd-Allah b. Maimun, who happen to be there
as captain of a corvette. The enemy realised nothing until one night the
corvette slipped out fully equipped from the shipyard. They immediately set off
in pursuit and followed it for about ten miles, but it was concealed by the
darkness. When the enemy gave up all hope of overtaking it, they returned on
their tracks in shame. Ibn Maimum reached the Amir of the Muslims with his
letter. He immediately ordered 300 ships to be constructed and brought together
in a month's time. These orders were put into effect. They all set sail from
there in haste, and at the same time Ibn Maimun was given an appointment by the
Amir al-Muslimin.
When the enemy heard of the departure of this fleet,
they cleared out of the island and left, happy with the captives and riches that
they carried away. When the squadron arrived, they found the city completely
devastated, blackened by fires and covered in a deep gloom. Ibn Taqirtas,
commander of the fleet, together with his Almoravids, fighters for the faith and
all kinds of people, restored the city and brought back those who had fled to
the mountains; they made it their home again, restored it and resettled it. The
fleet left for its own country and returned to its home base.
As the enemy left for their own country they were
hit by storm winds and heavy seas, which carried four ships to the coast at
Daniyya (Denia). The admiral Abu'l-Saddad repaired there and the enemy [ships]
fled before him; one of them sunk in front of him and the other three were
overtaken.
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