Chapter V: Book XIII: A.d. 1242-1245

SEVENTH CRUSADE.

The Tartars of the middle ages—Their history and
conquests—Gengiskhan, the Tartar chief—Temugin—Prester
John—Khan of the Karaites—Conquest of China, Carismia,
and other extensive countries in Asia and Europe,
by Gengiskhan—His death—Victorious career of Octaï,
khan of the Tartars—Hungary conquered—The warriors
of Carismia join the sultan of Cairo, and capture
Jerusalem—The Mohammedans of Syria defeated by the
Carismians, and Damascus captured—The Carismians rebel
against the sultan of Cairo—They are defeated and
dispersed—Barbarous hordes of the Comans—Distress of
the Christians—Valeran, bishop of Berytus—Innocent
IV., at the council of Lyons determines on the seventh
crusade, and excommunicates Frederick, emperor of
Germany—Cardinals first clothed in scarlet—Louis IX.,
king of France, recovers from a dangerous malady,
and determines on prosecuting the seventh crusade
against the infidels—The illustrious names engaged
in it—Blanche, the queen-mother—Agitated state of
Germany and Italy—Frederick of Germany deposed by the
pope—Civil contests thence arising—The nobles of France
form a league to resist the exactions of the pope—Louis
makes extensive preparations for the holy war—The
earl of Salisbury, and Haco king of Norway, engage in
it—Ameliorated state of society resulting from the
crusades—Louis embarks and arrives at Cyprus—Pope
Innocent IV. takes charge of his kingdom—Marguerite,
wife of Louis—Archambault de Bourbons—Sieur de
Joinville—Antioch ravaged by the Turcomans—Louis
receives an embassy from the Tartar prince,
Ecalthai—Political discord among the Mohammedans—Family
of the Ayoubites—Malek-Salek Negmeddin, sultan of
Egypt—Military and political state of Egypt at the
time of the crusade—Louis IX. and the Christian forces
arrive before Damietta—His address to the Crusaders—He
besieges Damietta—Fakreddin, the Egyptian leader—Louis
attacks and defeats the infidel troops—Damietta
captured—Negociations with Negmeddin—Livre
Tournois—Bravery of the Bedouin Arabs—Sidon captured by
the Mohammedans pp. 312-392.