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Dromo's Den
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[Up] [Dromo's Den] Saint Louis Biography LOUIS IX, known as SAINT LOUIS (1214-70). King of France from 1226 to 1270. He was born April 25, 1214, and succeeded his father, Louis VIII, in 1226. His mother, Blanche of Castile, a woman of great talent and sincere piety, was Regent during his minority and bestowed on him a strictly religious education, which materially influenced his character and policy. In 1242 Louis became involved in a war with Henry III of England and defeated the English at Taillebourg and at Saintes. During a dangerous illness, in 1244, he made a vow that if he recovered he would go in person on a crusade, and accordingly, having appointed his mother Regent, he sailed in August, 1248, with a large army to Cyprus, whence, in the following spring, he proceeded to Egypt, thinking, by the conquest of that country, to open the way to Palestine. He took Damietta, but was afterward defeated and taken prisoner by the Mohammedans, April 5, 1250. A ransom of 800,000 besants procured his release on May 6, 1250, together with the survivors of his army. He proceeded by sea to Acre and remained in Palestine till 1254. He now applied himself earnestly to the affairs of his Kingdom, united certain provinces to the crown on the lapse of feudal rights or by treaty, and made many important changes, the general tendency of which was to increase the royal power. The code of laws known as the Etablissements de Saint Louis is, however, only the work of a private compiler. Louis embarked on a new crusade July 1, 1270, and proceeded to Tunis; but a pestilence broke out in the French camp which carried off the greater part of the army and the King himself. He died Aug. 25, 1270, and his son, Philip III, was glad to make peace and return to France. Pope Boniface VIII canonized Louis in 1297. He was the most distinguished monarch of his time. His piety, justice, and mercy caused him to be trusted, while his ability made him respected. Joinville's History of Saint Louis is the best source of information as to the character of the King, as seen by a shrewd contemporary, who was intimate with Louis. The New International Encyclopaedia, Vol. XIV (New York: Dodd, Mead & Co., 1920) 389. |