Arsuf was an ancient city in Judea dating from the late Roman era, situated on a cliff above the Mediterranean Sea, about 21 miles south of Caesarea, now in Israel.

Godfrey reached an agreement with the citizens of Arsuf after it was known that he intended to stay in Jerusalem and reconciled with Raymond of Toulouse.

An account by Albert of Aachen stated that Godfrey spent six weeks building mangenae or stone throwers, which were used to support two siege towers.

[4] In the end the two assaults made on Arsuf were defeated when the garrison set the siege towers on fire.

During the siege, while the Crusaders pounded the walls with catapults, the Fatimids had Gerard hung from the mast of an old ship that had been lying in the city.

Baldwin allowed the inhabitants to withdraw to Ascalon, granting them safe conduct, bearing any goods they could carry, and his troops rebuilt the city.