Outremer
The Kingdom in the 1270s and 1280s
By the time of Hugh's coronation at Tyre in 1269, all of the Holy Land was anticipating the coming crusade. King Louis IX of France was the greatest monarch of his day. He had already led one crusade that was largely regarded as a success that had been marred by a single disaster. It was earnestly hoped the second one would go better. In any event, fresh soldiers would be most welcome.
Instead, 1270 came and went with no King Louis. He had been diverted to Tunis, where he had died. With the threat from the West over, Baibars again took the offensive. The Krak des Chevaliers fell in 1271. Tripoli was next, but it held. Moreover, Prince Edward of England had arrived with a small army. It wasn't much, but it was enough for Baibars to offer a truce. On 22 May 1272 a ten-year truce was signed. Baibars wanted to keep the West out of things for a while so he could concentrate on the Mongols.
Hugh tried to exert his authority in what was left of the Kingdom, but even what remnants remained stubbornly opposed him. He eventually tired of it all. He returned to Cyprus in 1276 and did not return. He made Balian of Ibelin bailli in his absence.
Now the politics became even worse. First of all, rivalries between Hospital and Temple, between Venice and Genoa, broke out again. Worse yet, in 1277 Maria of Ibelin (who had been one of those who'd claimed a right to the throne back in 1269) sold her claims to that adventurer Charles of Anjou. Charles at once claimed to be the true King of Jerusalem, appointed Roger of San Severino as bailli and sent an armed force to Acre. Roger's claims were solidly founded and supported by the pope himself. Balian yielded the citadel to him. Over in Cyprus, Hugh refused to intervene, so the barons were forced to do homage to Charles.
In one way, the arrival of the Angevins was a benefit to Outremer, for Baibars knew the Christians would not threaten him. Charles' eye was on Constantinople, not Cairo. And there were the Mongols to deal with. Outremer gained a respite.
But it was brief enough, for Baibars died the same year, 1277. A couple more years were gained as the succession was disputed. Qalawun gained control in 1279, and he proved nearly as formidable as Baibars.
The 1280s
War among the Crusader States
Failure of diplomacy
The Sicilian Vespers and the end of Angevin power
The coronation of Hugh IV
Kublai Khan sends an ambassador to Europe
Breaking the truce