LOUIS IX., known as SAINT Loms (1215 70). King of France from 1226 to 1270. He was born April 25, 1215, and succeeded his father, Louis in 1226. His mother, Blanche of Castile, a woman of great talent and sincere piety, was Regent during hi, minority, and be stowed on him a strictly religious education. which materially influenced his character and policy. In ]242 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, 124S. with 40,000 men 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 after wards defeated and taken prisoner by the :Moham medans, April 6, 1250. A ransom of a million besants procured his release on May S. 1250, to gether with the survivors (6000 men) of his army. He proceeded by sea to Acre, and remained in Palestine till the death of his mother, in No vember, 1252, compelled him to return to France. Ile now applied himself earnestly to the affairs of his kingdom, united certain province, to the Crown un 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 the Etablisse
nit 'Its (h. Faint Louis 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. Ile died August 25, 1270, and his son. Philip III.. Was glad to make peace and return to France. Pope Boni face 1'111. canonized him in 1297. Louis was the most distinguished monarch of Lis time. Ilis piety, justice, and mercy caused him to he trusted, while his ability made him respected.
History of Saint Louis is the best source of in formation as to.the character of the King, as seen by a shrewd contemporary, who was inti mate with Louis. Consult: Berger, Saint Louis et Innocent 11'. (Paris, 1893) id., Histoirc de Blanche de Castile (Paris, Is95 ) ; Lecoy de la, :Marche, La France sous Saint Louis ( Paris, 1893) ; Langlois, Saint Louis (Paris. 1887).