King Louis IX of France

King
Crusader
Saint

France

Born: April 25, 1214
Crowned: 1226, precise date unrecorded
Married: May 29, 1234
Died: Aug. 25, 1270

“To keep right and justice be thou righteous and steady with thy people, without turning to the right hand or to the left, but straight forward, and uphold the poor man’s suit until the truth be made manifest.”

--attributed to a letter from Louis to his son by Jean de Joinville in The History of St. Louis.

Louis received an exceptional education and ascended to the throne at age 12. His mother, Blanche of Castile, acted as his regent, and would continue to serve as his closest advisor until her death. Louis displayed courage and diplomatic wisdom at an early age and developed a reputation as a chivalrous knight, a conscientious leader, and a pious man. Because he was so devout, Louis went on Crusade twice, with small victories and ultimate failure each time. He died of the plague on his second trip to the Holy Land.

For more about Louis, visit your Guide's Concise Biography of Louis IX.

Concise Biography of Louis IX
Encyclopedia Article about Louis IX
Encyclopedia Article about Blanche of Castile
Louis IX Picture Gallery
Louis IX on the Web

Louis IX in Print
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Myth, Man and Sovereign Saint
(American University Studies. Series II, Romance Languages & Literature, Vol 1)
by Maureen Slattery

Saint Louis: Crusader King of France
by Jean Richard; translated by Jean Birrell

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