1-156-701 - Ann Ronan Picture Library/Heritage-Images

Scenes from the Seventh Crusade, 1248-1254 (15th century). Top: Louis IX (1215-1270), King of France from 1226, called Saint Louis, being brought as a prisoner before the Sultan. Bottom left: Louis discourses with the Saracens. Bottom right: the Sultan assassinated by his courtiers. Louis and his brothers Alphonse and Charles were captured by the Mamelukes in Egypt during the Seventh Crusade. Louis was ransomed for 400,000 livres and the city of Damietta. He commanded a further crusade, the Eighth, in 1270, but died of the plague near Tunis. Renowned for his piety and kindness to the poor, Louis was canonised by Pope Boniface VIII in 1297. From Le livre de faiz Monseigneur Saint Louis.