Louis IX

Louis IX was born on April 25, 1214 in Poissy, France. He was the fourth child of King Louis VIII and his queen, Blanche of Castile. He became king of France at the age of 12 after his father's death in 1226. His mother acted as his regent until he came of age and continued to be his adviser throughout his reign. Louis IX was a devout Catholic and a pious ruler who sought to uphold justice and peace in his kingdom. He abolished trials by ordeal, introduced the presumption of innocence in criminal cases, and established royal courts to hear appeals from lower courts. He also expanded the French territory by annexing parts of Aquitaine, Maine, and Provence. He was respected throughout Europe as a fair and wise arbitrator who mediated disputes between rival kings and princes. Louis IX was also a zealous crusader who led two expeditions to the Holy Land and North Africa. He launched the Seventh Crusade in 1248 to recapture Jerusalem from the Muslims. He landed in Egypt and captured Damietta, but was defeated and captured by the Mamluks at the Battle of Al Mansurah in 1250. He was released after paying a large ransom and stayed in the Holy Land for four years to strengthen the Christian fortifications. He returned to France in 1254 and devoted himself to governing his kingdom and reforming the church. He launched the Eighth Crusade in 1270 to aid the Christians in Tunis against the Muslims. However, he died of dysentery near Tunis on August 25, 1270. His body was brought back to France and buried in the Basilica of St Denis. He was canonized as a saint by Pope Boniface VIII in 1297 and is regarded as one of the most exemplary Christian monarchs in history. His feast day is celebrated on August 25.