The Seventh Crusade took place from 1248 to 1254, led by the French King Louis IX. Its primary goal was to capture the city of Egypt, which was seen as a strategic point for controlling access to the Holy Land. The crusaders aimed to weaken Muslim power in the region and secure Christian territories. The campaign began with the capture of Damietta, but the crusaders faced significant challenges, including disease and military setbacks. Ultimately, the expedition ended in failure, with Louis IX being captured and later ransomed. The Seventh Crusade highlighted the difficulties of maintaining Christian control in the Middle East.