During the Crusades, the site was called Blanchegarde, (“White guard”), likely referring to the white rock outcrop next to the site. In 1142, a fort was built on the site by King Fulk. After the Siege of Ascalon in 1153, the castle was expanded and strengthened. It became a lordship in 1166, when it was given to Walter III Brisebarre, lord of Beirut.
It was dismantled after being taken by Saladin in 1191, but reconstructed by Richard of England in 1192. King Richard was nearly captured while inspecting his troops next to the site.
In 1253, Gilles’ son Raoul (died after 1265) was documented as lord of Blanchegard. In 1265, the Baron Amalric Barlais, who was loyal to the Hohenstaufen, took over the rule of Blanchegard. Shortly thereafter Blanchegard was retaken by Muslim forces. The remnants of the square castle and its four towers served as a place of some importance in the village well into the 19th century
