King Louis IX of France

 

King Louis IX of France

 

Medieval Crusaders

Medieval Crusaders

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King Louis IX of France

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King Louis IX of France

Short Biography, facts and interesting information about King Louis IX of France the life of a famous historical character during the historical period of the Medieval times

The Crusades

Short Biography about the life of King Louis IX of France
The following biography, short history and interesting facts provide helpful information for history courses and history coursework about the life and history of King Louis IX a famous Medieval character of historical importance who lived during the Middle Ages:

  • Country of Origin / Nationality: French
  • Also Known by the Nickname: Saint Louis
  • Lifetime: 1215 – 1270
  • Reigned as King of France: 1226-1270
  • Born: He was born on April 25, 1215
  • Family connections : He was the son of King Louis VIII and Blanche of Castile
  • Died: King Louis IX died on August 25, 1270

King Louis IX of France Biography
The story and biography of King Louis IX which contains interesting information, facts & the history about the life of this Medieval person of historical importance.

King Louis IX of France
After the time of Barbarossa and Richard the Lionheart lived another great Crusading king. This was a grandson of Philip II, named Louis IX, who became sovereign of France in 1226. He was then only eleven years old, so for some years his mother ruled the kingdom. A few years after he had begun to reign Louis decided to make his brother Alphonse the governor of a certain part of France.

King Louis IX of France and King Henry III of England
The nobles of the region refused to have Alphonse as governor and invited King Henry III of England to help them in a revolt. Henry crossed to France with an army to support the rebellious nobles. He was duke of Aquitaine and Gascony; so that although he was the king in England he had to do homage to the king of France for his possessions in that country, and fight for him if called upon to do so. Louis gathered an army and hastened to meet the English troops. He drove Henry from place to place, until at last he forced him to make terms of peace.

King Louis IX of France takes the cross
The rebellious nobles who had invited the English king to France soon after swore allegiance to Louis and afterwards he had little trouble in his kingdom. Once Louis was dangerously ill and his life was despaired of. Finally he was believed to be dying and his wife and chief officials gathered round his bed to await the end. Suddenly he roused himself and said in a feeble voice, "The cross! The cross!" They laid the cross upon his heart and he clasped it fervently. For a while he slumbered. When he awoke he appeared much better. In a day or two he was entirely well. He then made a solemn vow that in thankfulness for his restoration he would go on a Crusade to the Holy Land.

King Louis IX of France calls for a Crusade
Louis lived at a time when everybody was full of the Crusading spirit. A few years before he was born even the children in France and Germany started out upon a Crusade of their own. It is called in history the "Children's Crusade." Several thousand left their homes and marched toward the Mediterranean. They thought that God would open a pathway to the Holy Land for them through its waters. A number of them died of cold and hunger when trying to cross the Alps. Some reached Rome, and when the Pope saw them he told them to return home and not think of going on a Crusade until they were grown up. It is easy to understand how in such an age people flocked to Louis' banner when he asked for volunteers to go with him on another Crusade.

King Louis IX of France leads the crusaders to Damietta in Egypt
In a few months forty thousand Crusaders assembled at a French port on the Mediterranean Sea. On a bright day in August, 1248, they went on board the fleet which was ready to sail. The king called to the Crusaders, "Sing in the name of God. Shout forth his praises as we sail away." Then quickly, on ship after ship, shouts of praise burst from the lips of thousands and amid the grand chorus the fleet began its voyage. The Crusaders went to Damietta in Egypt. Louis was so eager to land that he jumped into water up to his waist and waded ashore. He captured the city without striking a blow.

King Louis IX of France is defeated by the sultan of Egypt but takes the crusade to the Holy Land
He had resolved to make war on the Moslems in Egypt rather than in the Holy Land, so when he left Damietta he marched southward. He supposed there would be no strong force to stop his progress. However, he was mistaken, for he had not marched forty miles toward Cairo when he was attacked by a Moslem army led by the sultan of Egypt. A great battle was fought. The Crusaders were commanded by King Louis and throughout the battle showed the utmost bravery, but they were outnumbered. Thousands were slain and the survivors retreated toward Damietta. The Moslems pursued them and the Crusaders were obliged to surrender. Out of the forty thousand men who had left France only about six thousand now remained. Many had died of disease as well as in battle. King Louis was among the prisoners, and the sultan of Egypt agreed to release him only upon the payment of a large ransom. When the ransom had been paid a truce was made for ten years between Louis and the sultan, and the king left Egypt. He then went to the Holy Land, and for four years worked to deliver Crusaders who were in Moslem prisons.

King Louis IX returns to France
During the time that Louis was in the Holy Land his mother ruled France as regent. When she died he returned immediately to his kingdom and devoted himself to governing it. In 1252 he took part in the founding of the Sorbonne, the most famous theological college of Europe from the days of St. Louis down to the time of the French Revolution. He ruled his people so wisely and justly that it is hard to find any better king or even one equally as good in the whole line of French kings. He never wronged any man himself, or knowingly allowed any man to be wronged by others. Near his palace there was a grand oak with wide-spreading branches, under which he used to sit on pleasant days in summer. There he received all persons who had complaints to make, rich and poor alike. Every one who came was allowed to tell his story without hindrance. For hours Louis would listen patiently to all the tales of wrong-doing, of hardships and misery that were told him, and he would do what he could to right the wrongs of those who suffered.

The Death of King Louis IX of France
When news came of some more persecutions of Christians by the Moslems in Palestine, Louis again raised an army of Crusaders and started with them for Tunis, although he was sick and feeble - so sick, indeed, that he had to be carried on a litter. Upon his arrival at Tunis he was attacked by fever and died in a few days. He is better known to the world as Saint Louis than as King Louis IX, because some years after his death Pope Boniface VIII canonized him on account of his pious life and his efforts to rescue the Holy Land from the Turks.

Famous Medieval Kings of the Middle Ages - King Louis IX of France
Interesting facts and information with a short biography about the Medieval Life, Times and history of King Louis IX. Additional useful details, facts, history, biography, timeline and information about the lives of other famous people of the Dark Ages and Middle Ages, and the important events which occurred during their times, can be accessed via the Medieval Life and Times Sitemap. The content of this article on Medieval life and times provides free educational details, facts and information for reference and research for schools, colleges and homework for history courses and history coursework.

 

 

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