Louis IX of France, Date of Birth, Place of Birth, Date of Death
TweetLouis IX of France
King of France
Date of Birth: 
Place of Birth: Poissy, ÃŽle-de-France, France
About Louis IX of France
- Louis IX (25 April 1214 – 25 August 1270), commonly known as Saint Louis, is the only King of France to be canonized in the Catholic Church.
- Louis was crowned in Reims at the age of 12, following the death of his father Louis VIII; his mother, Blanche of Castile, ruled the kingdom as regent until he reached maturity.
- During Louis' childhood, Blanche dealt with the opposition of rebellious vassals and obtained a definitive victory in the Albigensian Crusade which had started 20 years earlier. As an adult, Louis IX faced recurring conflicts with some of the most-powerful nobles, such as Hugh X of Lusignan and Peter of Dreux.
- Simultaneously, Henry III of England tried to restore his continental possessions, but was utterly defeated at the battle of Taillebourg.
- His reign saw the annexation of several provinces, notably parts of Aquitaine, Maine and Provence. Louis IX was a reformer and developed French royal justice, in which the king was the supreme judge to whom anyone could appeal to seek the amendment of a judgment.
- He banned trials by ordeal, tried to prevent the private wars that were plaguing the country, and introduced the presumption of innocence in criminal procedure.
- To enforce the application of this new legal system, Louis IX created provosts and bailiffs. Following a vow he made after a serious illness and confirmed after a miraculous cure, Louis IX took an active part in the Seventh and Eighth Crusades.
- He died from dysentery during the latter crusade, and was succeeded by his son Philip III. Louis's actions were inspired by Christian zeal and Catholic devotion.
- He decided to severely punish blasphemy (for which he set the punishment to mutilation of the tongue and lips), gambling, interest-bearing loans and prostitution.
- He spent exorbitant sums on presumed relics of Christ, for which he built the Sainte-Chapelle.
- He expanded the scope of the Inquisition and ordered the burning of Talmuds and other Jewish books.
- He is the only canonized king of France, and there are consequently many places named after him.
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