Crisis in Cairo: From Sultan to Sultan-Queen

Abstract

When Sultan Salih died while overseeing the battle against the Franks of the Seventh Crusade, Egypt suddenly became vulnerable to attack by the Franks and the Ayyubid princes ruling neighboring territories. Hence, his death became a secret guarded closely by his most trusted advisors and Shajar al-Durr until his sole surviving son could be brought to Cairo. When that heir proved a failure and was assassinated, Shajar al-Durr became sultan in a highly unusual move that surprised even the commenters of the period. She minted coins with her titles, and the weekly sermon in the mosques was recited in her name as Egypt’s sultan.