Jean Richard, Saint Louis Flashcards
Why did King chose Cyprus as his operational base
Convenient base for operations, close to the coast of turkey, Syria, Palestine and Egypt
Offered shelter from Muslim raids as the Latina were masters of sea
Why did Cyprus prove to be a disastrous decision ?
Some blamed climate, 250 knights died during winter
- to prevent the army from dispensing, Louis had to arm the galleys
The prolonged stay in Cyprus also proved to be too demanding for the poorer knights, who may have mortgaged property to finance their travel
- to combat this, Louis brought these poorer knights onto his pay roll
To add to Louis frustration, a simple brawl broke out and degenerated into open warfare, creating further disunity within the crusader army.
Who was this conflict between?
Genoese and the Pisans
Which two factors lost Saint Louis the crusade?
1) An epidemic
- a result of crusaders eating Nile fish which had previously fed on rotting bodies. Also diets of grain and salt provisions induced scurvy
2) loss of mastery of the Nile
- Muslim forces took advantage of weak forces stationed at Damietta as 240 ships sunk during 1249 storm. The Nile through which the crusaders evacuated the wounded and received provisions was incepted by the Muslims
