King Louis IX was the only king of France to be declared a
saint, a status that he earned through his excessive piety and participation in
two crusades.
He was born in 1214 and inherited the throne at the age of
12. His mother, Blanche of Castile, acted as his Regent until Louis was 20.
France was largely prosperous and at peace during his reign of 43 years.
Louis was highly religious, hearing mass twice a day and
surrounding himself with priests who chanted the hours even when he was on
horseback. His piety did not stop him from being a courageous knight, undaunted
by adversity and a good companion. He was in many respects the ideal king of
the Middle Ages.
He took good care of the poor and needy, building hospitals
and ordering that 100 beggars be given food and alms from the Royal provisions
every day.
In August 1248 Louis set sail on his first crusade, heading
for Egypt together with his wife and 35,000 soldiers. Things did not go well.
His brother was killed and the army was struck by a plague. Louis almost died
from dysentery and was captured by the Saracens. He was not able to return to
France for another four years.
In July 1270 Louis embarked on another crusade, this time
heading for Tunis, landing near the ruins of ancient Carthage. After some easy
victories the army was again ravaged by plague, and this time Louis was himself
a victim. As he lay dying he instructed his son and heir, who reigned as King Philip
III, to take special care of the poor.
He died on 25th August 1270 at the age of 56. His
body was returned to Paris in a long funeral procession that was lined by
mourners wherever it passed through. From the moment of his burial in the Abbey
of St Denis he was thought of as a saint, with people praying at his tomb for
miracles. He was officially canonised by Pope Boniface VIII in 1297, which was
only 27 years after his death.
© John Welford
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