Editing Eighth Crusade (section)

===Louis IX and the Mongols===
Louis IX also maintained contact with the Mongol rulers of the period. During his first crusade in 1248, Louis was approached by envoys from [[Eljigidei]], the Mongol military commander stationed in [[Mongol Armenia|Armenia]] and [[Ilkhanate|Persia]].<ref name=":1">[[Peter Jackson (historian)|Jackson, Peter]] (1980). “[https://www.jstor.org/stable/568054 The Crisis in the Holy Land in 1260]”. ''The English Historical Review'', Vol. 95, No. 376, Oxford University Press, pp. 481–513.</ref> Eljigidei suggested that King Louis should land in Egypt, while Eljigidei attacked Baghdad, to prevent the Egyptians and Syrians from joining forces. Louis sent the Dominican [[André de Longjumeau]] as an emissary to the Great Khan [[Güyük|Güyük Khan]] in Mongolia. Güyük died before the emissary arrived at his court and no action was taken by the two parties. Instead Güyük's queen and now regent, [[Oghul Qaimish]], politely turned down the diplomatic offer.{{sfn|Grousset|1970|pp=272–274|loc=Regency of Orhul Qaimish}} Louis dispatched another envoy to the Mongol court, the Franciscan [[William of Rubruck]], who visited the Great Khan [[Möngke]] in Mongolia. He spent several years at the Mongol court. In 1259, [[Berke]], the ruler of the [[Golden Horde]], westernmost part of the [[Mongolian Empire]], demanded the submission of Louis.<ref>Sinor, Denis (1999). "[https://www.jstor.org/stable/41933117 The Mongols in the West]". ''Journal of Asian History'', Vol. 33, No. 1, Harrassowitz Verlag, pp. 1–44.</ref> By contrast, Mongolian emperors Möngke and [[Kublai Khan|Khubilai]]'s brother, the Ilkhan [[Hulagu Khan]], sent a letter to the king of France seeking his military assistance, but the letter never reached France.<ref>Aigle, Denise (2005). "[https://brill.com/view/journals/inas/7/2/article-p143_2.xml The Letters of Eljigidei, H¨uleg¨u and Abaqa: Mongol overtures or Christian Ventriloquism?]". ''Inner Asia''. '''7''' (2): 143–162.</ref>