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Louis IX Prepares the Crusade

Type Event Region France Time 1244–1248

In the 1240s Louis IX of France, recovered from grave illness, fulfilled his crusader vow and prepared the Seventh Crusade, taking the cross, levying…

Timeline

  1. 1244–1245Paris · ParisIn 1244 Louis IX, recovered from grave illness, formally took the cross and publicly vowed to campaign for the Holy Land; Pope Innocent IV and the French church supported his vow, and Louis began summoning nobles and vassals, issuing calls to campaign, and planning the route and objectives of the expedition.
  2. 1246–1248Aigues-Mortes · Aigues-MortesLouis IX levied the church tithe, sold royal jewels, and mobilized noble funding, assembling a fleet and army at Aigues-Mortes; in August 1248 he set sail with roughly 15,000–20,000 men bound for Damietta in Egypt, formally launching the Seventh Crusade.

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