This week in Christian history: MLK assassinated; crusading king captured

By Michael Gryboski, Editor
Sunday, April 03, 2022

King Louis IX captured – April 6, 1250

A 13th-century painting of Saint Louis IX (1214-1270), a Medieval era king of France known for his charitable work at home and fighting Islamic armies abroad during the Crusades. | Public Domain

This week marks the anniversary of when French King Louis IX and his army were captured at Mansura, Egypt, by Muslim forces during the Seventh Crusade.

The year before, Louis and his crusaders had successfully invaded Egypt and captured Damietta, only to be slowed down in their march on Cairo by illness and a Muslim fleet retaking the Nile.

Ultimately, Louis was able to secure the release of his forces by paying a ransom and ceding Damietta, with him withdrawing to the Middle Eastern city of Acre and then Syria soon after.

“He encouraged the Christians there by building elaborate fortifications, by attempting to exploit the rivalries of Cairo and Damascus, by hoping to convert the Mongols, and by sending for more men and money from the West,” noted Encyclopedia.com.

“His brothers returned to France for this purpose, but they were unable to do much. Finally Louis himself recognized that he, unaided, could achieve nothing more; so he returned to France, arriving in July of 1254.”