Le Prudhomme

Today is the feast of King St. Louis IX of France. Born in 1214, he became King at the age of twelve. He participated in both the Seventh and Eighth Crusades; both were disasters, the Seventh ending with him having to be ransomed at an extraordinary cost, and his participation in the Eighth ending in his death. During his reign, however, he made France the diplomatic center of Europe. He was famous for his courtesy, for his almsgiving, and for his mercy, although he could occasionally also be harsh. He was canonized in 1297, the only King of France ever to be canonized.


Émile Signol, Louis IX, dit Saint Louis, Roi de France (1215-1270)