298 Crusades Lecture 22 April 23 Flashcards
Louis IX’s crusade of 1248-50
Very briefly
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Louis’ crusade a failure
But hastened collapse of Ayyubid rule
Brought the Mameluks to power in Egypt
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Jerusalem lost once again in 1244 to the forces of the Khwarazmians, allies of the Sultan al-Salih Ayyub of Egypt. Turkish freebooters driven west by mongols
Jerusalem easily taken
Holy places desecrated
no more Christian control of Jerusalem until December 1917. British army vs Ottomans
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Franks in Acre allied with rulers of Damascus and Homs
Crushed.
To observers, more a contest between Saracen vs Saracen
In other words, Franks were peripheral to these larger regional conflicts
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Pleas for help as usual
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December 1244 Louis IX of France took the cross
After/To cure? severe illness
Without papal authorization
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Many many people advised Louis against taking the cross
He ignored them
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Within weeks pope Innocent IV sending out crusade summonses
These become twisted in different regions for more local crusade affairs
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Louis seems to have devoutly believe in the crusade enterprise
But also using it to create a cult of a holy monarchy
This was a truly French crusade
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Egypt the target
Seems that Louis believed God would provide
Otherwise, Eyptian strategy makes little sense
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Take Damietta
Sultan at Mansourah, outside Cairo, blocking way to Cairo
Can’t cross the river
Find a ford only for cavalry
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Cavalry go.
Goes well, led by brother: Robert of Artois
Too cocky
Slaughter in the city of Mansourah
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Rest of army has crossed
Now trapped between river and Egyptian forces of Mansourah
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Weeks of stalemate
Resupply difficult as ships blockaded
5 April1350 Louis orders the retreat
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Army effectively disintegrates
Louis so sick from dysentery his trousers had to be cut off. Close to death.
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