13th century – 13th century
Egypt, Nile Delta
The Crusade of Saint Louis was the French-led expedition launched in June 1249 to reverse Muslim victories and conquer Egypt. Louis IX captured Damietta but repeated the strategic errors of the earlier campaign by advancing toward Cairo through the difficult Nile Delta. Ayyubid and mamluk forces defeated the expedition at Mansura and al-Fariskur, capturing the king and ending Christian hopes of conquering Egypt.
Continue exploring
The Story
Louis IX of France personally led the expedition that began in June 1249. Its strategic objective was shaped by the belief that Egypt was the key to defeating the Muslim powers and recovering the Holy Land. The French army occupied Damietta with little difficulty, then remained there for a time before beginning its advance toward Cairo.
The march followed the difficult route through the Nile branches and canals during the least favorable season. The Egyptian army concentrated near Mansura, and al-Salih offered to exchange Damietta for Jerusalem, but Louis refused to negotiate. The death of al-Salih in November 1249 created a moment of uncertainty, although Shajar al-Durr concealed it from the troops and summoned Turan-Shah.
At Mansura in February 1250, Kurdish and Arab troops fled, but the disciplined Turkish mamluks held the Ayyubid position. Two months later they won a decisive victory at al-Fariskur. Louis IX and leading French nobles were captured, while thousands of soldiers were killed or later executed.
The campaign destroyed Christian hopes of conquering Egypt and the Holy Land, but its consequences also undermined the Ayyubid dynasty. Turan-Shah alienated the mamluk officers who had secured victory, and in May 1250 a group led by Baybars murdered him. Shajar al-Durr was then proclaimed sultan of Egypt, linking the expedition's military outcome to the transition from Ayyubid to Mamluk rule.
13th century – 13th century
Egypt, Nile Delta
The Crusade of Saint Louis was the French-led expedition launched in June 1249 to reverse Muslim victories and conquer Egypt. Louis IX captured Damietta but repeated the strategic errors of the earlier campaign by advancing toward Cairo through the difficult Nile Delta. Ayyubid and mamluk forces defeated the expedition at Mansura and al-Fariskur, capturing the king and ending Christian hopes of conquering Egypt.
Continue exploring
The Story
Louis IX of France personally led the expedition that began in June 1249. Its strategic objective was shaped by the belief that Egypt was the key to defeating the Muslim powers and recovering the Holy Land. The French army occupied Damietta with little difficulty, then remained there for a time before beginning its advance toward Cairo.
The march followed the difficult route through the Nile branches and canals during the least favorable season. The Egyptian army concentrated near Mansura, and al-Salih offered to exchange Damietta for Jerusalem, but Louis refused to negotiate. The death of al-Salih in November 1249 created a moment of uncertainty, although Shajar al-Durr concealed it from the troops and summoned Turan-Shah.
At Mansura in February 1250, Kurdish and Arab troops fled, but the disciplined Turkish mamluks held the Ayyubid position. Two months later they won a decisive victory at al-Fariskur. Louis IX and leading French nobles were captured, while thousands of soldiers were killed or later executed.
The campaign destroyed Christian hopes of conquering Egypt and the Holy Land, but its consequences also undermined the Ayyubid dynasty. Turan-Shah alienated the mamluk officers who had secured victory, and in May 1250 a group led by Baybars murdered him. Shajar al-Durr was then proclaimed sultan of Egypt, linking the expedition's military outcome to the transition from Ayyubid to Mamluk rule.
Continue the journey
Other paths related to this story.