13th century
Tunis and Carthage
St Louis's Crusade against Tunis was a French expedition launched in 1270 during the reign of the Hafsid ruler al-Mustansir. The crusading army landed near Carthage, but disease rapidly devastated the camp and St Louis died within weeks. Charles of Anjou subsequently negotiated a peace treaty with al-Mustansir, bringing the expedition to an ineffective conclusion.
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The Story
In 1270, St Louis of France led a crusade against Tunis, whose prosperity may have attracted French interest. Commercial disputes may also have contributed, as merchants from Provence reportedly encouraged the expedition after failing to obtain restitution for money owed to them in Tunis. Religious motives remained important, including the mistaken expectation that al-Mustansir wished to become a Christian.
The crusading army landed by Carthage. Its campaign quickly deteriorated as illness ravaged the camp, and St Louis himself died within a few weeks. His death deprived the expedition of its principal leader and left the attack with even less effect than his earlier unsuccessful attempt against Egypt in 1249–50.
Charles of Anjou, king of Sicily and St Louis's brother, rapidly concluded a peace treaty with al-Mustansir. The settlement ended the immediate confrontation without changing the political control of Tunis. Al-Mustansir's concern that his nomadic contingents would withdraw toward southern pastures for winter formed part of the circumstances surrounding the treaty.
13th century
Tunis and Carthage
St Louis's Crusade against Tunis was a French expedition launched in 1270 during the reign of the Hafsid ruler al-Mustansir. The crusading army landed near Carthage, but disease rapidly devastated the camp and St Louis died within weeks. Charles of Anjou subsequently negotiated a peace treaty with al-Mustansir, bringing the expedition to an ineffective conclusion.
Continue exploring
The Story
In 1270, St Louis of France led a crusade against Tunis, whose prosperity may have attracted French interest. Commercial disputes may also have contributed, as merchants from Provence reportedly encouraged the expedition after failing to obtain restitution for money owed to them in Tunis. Religious motives remained important, including the mistaken expectation that al-Mustansir wished to become a Christian.
The crusading army landed by Carthage. Its campaign quickly deteriorated as illness ravaged the camp, and St Louis himself died within a few weeks. His death deprived the expedition of its principal leader and left the attack with even less effect than his earlier unsuccessful attempt against Egypt in 1249–50.
Charles of Anjou, king of Sicily and St Louis's brother, rapidly concluded a peace treaty with al-Mustansir. The settlement ended the immediate confrontation without changing the political control of Tunis. Al-Mustansir's concern that his nomadic contingents would withdraw toward southern pastures for winter formed part of the circumstances surrounding the treaty.
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