Battle of Ibiza (1109)
Norway v. pirates, Norwegian victory
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The Battle of Ibiza (Norwegian: Slaget ved Ibiza), also known as the Raid on Ibiza, was a part of a military campaign against the Muslims of the Balearic Islands.[1][pages needed] Islamic scholars have referred to the Norwegian raids in the region as part of a larger history of Islamic Spain.[2] After winning a battle at the island of Formentera, Sigurd would go on to attack the islands of Ibiza, which is only separated from Formentera by a narrow channel.[2]
| Battle of Ibiza (1109) | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of the Norwegian Crusade | |||||||
11th/12th century map of the islands Ibiza and Formentera | |||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||
 Kingdom of Norway | Barbary Pirates of Ibiza | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
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Sigurd I of Norway | |||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| Minor | Major | ||||||
Battle
The battle was a raid by the Crusader army from Norway against the pirates of Ibiza. The battle is described in the sagas as Sigurd the Crusader's seventh victory against the "heathens" (Muslims).[2] A description of the battle was given by the skald Halldorr Skvaldri.[3]
Much adored came a distinguished one
Of a murder-wheel, steering a ship
Eager was the waker of fame
To end peace, to Ibiza.
— Halldorr Skvaldri
Aftermath
After this, the Norwegian fleet continued their journey to the Holy Land via Menorca and Sicily before eventually reaching the Kingdom of Jerusalem, where they accompanied Baldwin I in the Siege of Sidon.[4] These battles on the Balearic Islands influenced the 1113–1115 Balearic Islands expedition, which saw Crusaders dismantle Ibiza's defences and occupy the island for a short while before leaving the island that would be later reconquered by the Almoravid dynasty.[5]