December

Louis IX vows to recover Jerusalem.

1245

2 October

Al-Salih takes Damascus.

1246

date unknown

Pope Innocent IV absolves the king of Cyprus of all oaths to the Holy Roman Emperor, making Cyprus an independent kingdom;

March

Khwarazmians turn on al-Salih and besiege Damascus;

May

Ayyubids destroy the Khwarazmians.

1247

Ascalon falls to the Muslims.

1248

25 August

Louis IX’s fleet sets sail from Aigues-Mortes for Cyprus, which has been pre-provisioned.

1249

5 June

Seventh Crusade under Louis IX arrives in Egypt; quickly captures Damietta;

November

Death of Sultan al-Salih.

1250

8-9 February

Louis IX suffers a devastating defeat at the Battle of Mansourah in Egpyt;

April

Cut off from supplies and trying to retreat, crusading army disintegrates; Louis himself is taken captive along with the survivors of his host;

2 May

Mamluks murder the Ayyubid sultan of Egypt and seize control;

late May

Queen of France negotiates a ransom for King Louis; Louis and leading nobles released; bulk of the army remains in captivity pending payment of more money;

13 December

Frederick II dies; succeeded by his son Conrad.

1253

Death of Henry I of Cyprus; succeeded by Hugh II.

1254

Spring

King Louis departs the Kingdom of Jerusalem for France;

May 21

Death of Conrad Hohenstaufen, titular king of Jerusalem;