At his coronation as king of France, Louis IX bound
himself by oath to behave as God’s anointed, as the father of his people and
feudal lord of the King of Peace. Other kings had done the same, of course.
Louis was different in that he actually interpreted his kingly duties in the
light of faith. After the violence of two previous reigns, he brought peace
and justice.
He was crowned king at 12, at his father’s
death. His mother, Blanche of Castile, ruled during his minority. When he
was 19 and his bride 12, he was married to Marguerite of Provence. It
was a loving marriage, though not without challenge. They had 11
children.
Louis “took the cross” for a Crusade when he was 30. His
army seized Damietta in Egypt but not long after, weakened by dysentery
and without support, they were surrounded and captured. Louis obtained the
release of the army by giving up the city of Damietta in addition to paying a
ransom. He stayed in Syria four years.
He deserves credit for extending justice in civil administration.
His regulations for royal officials became the first of a series of reform
laws. He replaced trial by battle with a form of examination
of witnesses and encouraged the use of written
records in court.
Louis was always respectful of the papacy, but defended royal
interests against the popes and refused to acknowledge Innocent IV’s sentence
against Emperor Frederick II.
Louis was devoted to his people, founding hospitals, visiting the sick
and, like his patron St. Francis (October 4), caring even for people with
leprosy. (He is one of the patrons of the Secular Franciscan
Order.) Louis united France—lords and townsfolk, peasants and priests and
knights—by the force of his personality and holiness. For many years the nation
was at peace.
Every day Louis had 13 special guests from among the poor to
eat with him, and a large number of poor were served meals near
his palace. During Advent and Lent, all who presented themselves
were given a meal, and Louis often served them in person.
He kept lists of needy people, whom he regularly relieved, in
every province of his dominion.
Disturbed by new Muslim advances in Syria, he led another crusade
in 1267, at the age of 41. His crusade was diverted to Tunis for his brother’s
sake. The army was decimated by disease within a month, and Louis himself died
on foreign soil at the age of 44. He was canonized 27 years later.
Comment:
Louis was strong-willed, strong-minded. His word was trusted utterly, and his courage in action was remarkable. What is most remarkable was his sense of respect for anyone with whom he dealt, especially the “humble folk of the Lord.” To care for his people he built cathedrals, churches, libraries, hospitals and orphanages. He dealt with princes honestly and equitably. He hoped to be treated the same way by the King of Kings, to whom he gave his life, his family and his country.
Louis was strong-willed, strong-minded. His word was trusted utterly, and his courage in action was remarkable. What is most remarkable was his sense of respect for anyone with whom he dealt, especially the “humble folk of the Lord.” To care for his people he built cathedrals, churches, libraries, hospitals and orphanages. He dealt with princes honestly and equitably. He hoped to be treated the same way by the King of Kings, to whom he gave his life, his family and his country.
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