25 April 1214 - 25 August 1270
House: Capet
Titles: King of France, Saint, Confessor
Louis IX, born on 25 April 1214, became King of France following his father Louis VIII’s death and was crowned at the age of 12. His mother, Blanche of Castile, ruled as regent during his minority and continued as an advisor after he came of age. Louis faced internal conflicts with influential nobles and external threats from England, which he overcame at the Battle of Taillebourg. He expanded French territories and led two Crusades, being captured during the Seventh and dying of dysentery during the Eighth.
Louis reformed the French legal system, enhancing royal justice and abolishing trials by ordeal. He implemented the presumption of innocence and established provosts and bailiffs to enforce his laws. His reign saw France reach a high point in economic and political influence, and he was respected across Christendom for his fairness. Despite his progressive legal reforms, Louis enforced Catholic orthodoxy strictly, including actions against Jews and heretics. His life is documented by contemporaries like Jean de Joinville, and he is the only canonized king of France.
Death: Died at age 56 from dysentery in Tunis, North Africa. Buried in the Basilica of St Denis and Monreale Cathedral.
Reign: 43 years and 290 days
Children: Isabella, Louis, Philip III, John Tristan, Peter I, Blanche, Margaret, Robert, Agnes
Marriages: Margaret of Provence
Parents: Louis VIII, King of France and Blanche of Castile