Louis IX of France

25 April 1214 – 25 August 1270

Louis IX, commonly known as Saint Louis, was King of France from 1226 until his death in 1270. Renowned for his piety, justice, and administrative reforms, he led the Seventh and Eighth Crusades and built the Sainte-Chapelle in Paris. He died near Tunis during the Eighth Crusade and was canonized by Pope Boniface VIII in 1297, becoming the only French king declared a saint.

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Lived at the same time

Well-documented people whose lives overlapped with Louis IX of France.

Life events

Born at Poissy, France
25 April 1214

Louis was born at Poissy, near Paris, the son of King Louis VIII and Blanche of Castile.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Birth ✓
Crowned King of France at Reims
29 November 1226

Following the death of his father Louis VIII, the twelve-year-old Louis was crowned at Reims Cathedral, with his mother Blanche of Castile ruling as regent.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Married Margaret of Provence
27 May 1234

Louis married Margaret of Provence at Sens; the couple had eleven children.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Consecration of the Sainte-Chapelle in Paris
26 April 1248

Louis completed the Sainte-Chapelle, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture built to house the Crown of Thorns and other relics he had acquired.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Departed on the Seventh Crusade
25 August 1248

Louis sailed from Aigues-Mortes for Egypt, leading the Seventh Crusade.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Captured in Egypt and ransomed
April 1250 – May 1250

After the crusader defeat at Fariskur, Louis was taken prisoner in Egypt and released only after payment of an enormous ransom and the surrender of Damietta.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Returned to France after years in the Holy Land
July 1254

After his release Louis spent four years strengthening crusader fortifications in the Levant before returning to France in 1254.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Relocation ✓
Concluded the Treaty of Paris with England
4 December 1259

Louis signed the Treaty of Paris with Henry III of England, settling long-standing territorial disputes between the two kingdoms.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Achievement ✓
Died near Tunis during the Eighth Crusade
25 August 1270

Louis died of dysentery in the crusader camp outside Tunis shortly after launching the Eighth Crusade.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Death ✓