Louis IX of France

Who they were

Louis IX, King of France, set out on crusade in 1248 with his wife Margaret of Provence and was taken prisoner. Freed and home again, he began great reforms, forbade trial by combat, founded hospitals and monasteries, and built the Sainte-Chapelle to house the relics of the Passion, above all the crown of thorns.

Under him Paris became the most prestigious city of Western Christendom. He welcomed St Bonaventure and St Thomas Aquinas at his table, founded the Sorbonne with Robert de Sorbon in 1257, and worked above all for peace between France and England. Dreaming of the Holy Land again, he got no further than Carthage, near Tunis, where he died of illness on 25 August 1270.

The miracles

His cause opened only two years after his death because of the miracles and healings at his tomb; the details examined are not given in the sources we have used. He was one of the first lay people to be canonised, and is patron of the Secular Franciscans.

Why that counted as sanctity

Louis showed that a king can be a saint: he ruled with justice, made peace, loved the poor and God above his crown.

Connected on this site

• Blanche of Castile Saint Mother, Parent
  “His mother, Blanche of Castile, effectively ruled the kingdom as regent until he came of age, and continued to serve as his trusted adviser until her death.” — Wikipedia
• Isabelle of France Blessed Brother or sister
  “She was a younger sister of King Louis IX of France (Saint Louis) and of Alfonso, Count of Poitiers, and an older sister of King Charles I of Sicily.” — Wikipedia
• Thomas Aquinas Saint
  “He welcomed St Bonaventure and St Thomas Aquinas at his table, founded the Sorbonne with Robert de Sorbon in 1257, and worked above all for peace between France and England.” — this site's research
• Boniface of Savoy Blessed
  “One niece, Eleanor of Provence, was married to King Henry III of England, and another was married to King Louis IX of France.” — Wikipedia