Seventh Crusade

The Seventh Crusade was started by Louis IX of France, who wanted to take Egypt first and then return to the Holy Land. Similar to the Fifth Crusade leaders, Louis IX was able to take Damietta but was unsuccessful in taking Cairo. King Louis IX of France decided to launch the Seventh Crusade in December 1244 as a direct response to the loss of the Holy City, despite the lack of enthusiasm from his closest noblemen and barons and being sick with malaria.

He was eager to retake Jerusalem, which the Turks had retaken in August 1244, some fifteen years after Frederick II and his Sixth Crusade had triumphed. He was also keen to liberate Damascus, which the Sultan of Egypt's huge army had conquered. Due to a truce between the Holy Roman Empire and the Bishop of Rome, King Louis thought the time was right for a new Crusade to begin in Europe. The Holy Roman emperor and his barons ultimately agreed to support King Louis in his efforts to begin the Seventh Crusade because the French Kingdom was at peace at the time.

Without encountering any resistance, King Louis was able to capture Damietta and began his advance toward Cairo. The crusader army contracted sickness, and Muslim resistance grew more tenacious, which prevented Kin Louis from capturing Cairo and forced him to leave his operations headquarters at Damietta.

Time: 1248 - 1254