The Moors of the Maghreb: The History of the Muslims in North Africa during the Middle Ages by Charles River Editors

Author:Charles River Editors
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Charles River Editors
Published: 2021-08-26T00:00:00+00:00

Tunis was the target of this new crusade. Sicily provided a ready stepping stone and Pope Clement IV had called upon the knights of Christendom to the cross. But Louis’ first choice had been the Holy Land via Cyprus. Yet the fall of Tunis would disrupt Muslim trade, hinder Moorish raids on the Mediterranean coast and provide a base for the invasion of Egypt. Louis also appears to have thought that Caliph Muhammad might be persuaded to convert to Christianity.[2]

The Crusader fleet landed near Tunis on July 18, 1270 and its troops camped near the ancient town of Carthage. They began the siege of Tunis, and disease immediately struck the Christian army. Crippling dysentery spread throughout the army, made all the worse by a horrendous summer. Thousands perished, including the king’s son. Finally Louis himself perished, on August 25, lamenting his sins. The survivors signed the Treaty of Tunis in November 1270 and the agreement allowed the crusaders to withdraw unmolested in return for a war indemnity and trading rights.

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