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=**Biography **= King Louis IX (also known as Saint Louis) was born in 1214 at Poissy, near Paris, and is the son of King Louis VIII and Blanche of Castile. He was a fourth child, but the eldest to survive his early years. His father died on 8th of November 1226, causing Louis to become king at the young age of thirteen. He was crowned King at Reims Cathedral, which lies north-east of Paris. He is the only canonised king of France; so there are many places are named after him. Although many powerful nobles did not attend, his mother still got it done. But because of his young age his mother took over as regent during his earlier years. But no specific date was given for when King Louis actually stepped up to rule, but it happened some time during 1234. It was said that his mother still helping him rule until her death in 1252. Before her death, she helped him find his wife: Margaret, sister of Eleanor, the wife of Henry III of England. Louis IX had 11 children by her, causing much jealousy of his mother, having minimal attention after Louis got his wife. King Louis IX took interest in Art, Literature and Architecture, sponsoring construction of buildings and writing. He founded a hospital for the poor, sick and the blind, named Quinze-Vingts (15th score), the Gothic Cathedrals, he even encouraged his Chaplain to write an encyclopaedia. While Louis was King, the University of Paris attracted students all over Europe. His court was filled with lively conversations. He went in many battles, one of the most famous one being when defeated King Henry III of England at the battle at the bridge of Taillebourg in 1242, which contributed to the end of the Hundred Years' War between England and France. He also went on two crusades, in which he unfortunately died during the second one due to the plague that hit him army, which he could not withstand. He died on August 25th 1270. His coffin was rested in the abbey of Saint- Denis, where all the tomb of the Kings of France lie. King Louis is the only King of France to be canonized as a Saint by the Roman Catholic Church, in 1297. He was canonized without even passing judgement, and people prayed to him at his tomb.

The Arms of the Kingdom of FranceThe Holy Crown of Jesus Christ, bought by King Louis IX to Baldwin II of Constantinople

=The crusades = During his lifetime Louis IX had two crusades. One in 1248, the Seventh Crusade (when he was around 34 years old) and one in 1270, the Eighth Crusade (When he was around 56 years old). After his victory over the English in 1242, King Louis IX decided to set off for the 'Holy Land' (Jerusalem), even though his entourage and soldiers weren't enthusiastic about it. Jerusalem was captured by the Muslims in August 1244, and Louis IX took his wife and children with him, along with a fleet of 100 ships and 35,000 soldiers. King Louis IX's plan was to land in Egypt, capture those cities, and use them to exchange the Holy Land. The expedition landed in June of 1249, at the port of Damietta. He soon captured the town and advanced towards Cairo. But the Nile stood in their way, and they struggled to move on. When they finally arrived at the citadel of al-Mansurah, the battle lasted for a long time, with Louis' brother Robert of Artois being killed. But eventually King Louis' troops won. The army was exhausted, and just as the army was at its weakest, the plague struck. Killing many more, whilst still under threat from the Egyptian army. They retreated to Damietta but got captured on the way. After long negotiating, King Louis IX was freed and he joined his wife at Acre. 4 years later he turned this defeat into a diplomatic success. He regained the Christian cities of Syria. But when he returned to France he was told of his mother's death.

The second crusade was much less successful, as the Holy Land was taken again, King Louis set out once again for Africa in 1269. They took an easy win and conquered Carthage, but when the plague struk again, King Louis IX did not survive a second time. He died this time, and brought back to France.

=**Story of Louis' Daily Life**=

Stained Glass windows of medieval churches Gargoyles on churches to keep away the evil

Growing up with seven other brothers and sisters who were younger than him had always been hard for Louis. When he was born, he didn’t expect to become the heir to a great throne, nor rule a whole kingdom at such an early age. He never would have dreamed of becoming commonly known as Saint Louis today. He never would’ve thought that a close friend would’ve written his very own biography. He didn’t know that feeling pity for the poor and acting on it would make such a great difference to everyone’s lifestyles. He only knew that he would do what was right and that was all that counted.

 I rose as soon as I heard the call of the birds. Every morning, I woke to the quiet chirps of the sparrows that could only be heard if one listened carefully by blocking out all the sounds around them. Every morning, I woke up to the sweet scent of fresh bread being cooked by the best cooks in France. One would think that I lived in luxury and I do not deny that. But that doesn’t mean that I’m truly happy being the king. To me, a king should look after his people and tend to the poor and prisoners instead of just sitting around and getting his servants and maids to do everything. A king should earn his respect instead of the throne being passed down generation to generation. These are my thoughts every morning but no-one in the entire world will know that as if I dare speak this way, my reputation will be ruined and I don’t want people turning against me. My father once told me: When citizens turn against their king everything goes wrong As soon as my thoughts were cleared out of my head, I went to the breakfast room where I saw the royal cook stirring up a masterpiece. He was baking fresh bread with butter where as the maids were making saffron muffins. I cherished those muffins as I was only allowed to have them for a treat. Mother always said that a king had to be in good shape to rule and the only way that it could be done was by being raised the right way: by only eating muffins once a month. I went to my chambers to get ready for church. Every Sunday, since I was born, my family and I had gone to the church wearing long, red cloaks that covered every inch of skin except for our hands and faces. I never understood why royalty had to wear long and bright clothing. Some say that it symbolised reign of a kingdom. Well in my opinion, royalty doesn’t need to wear outfits with fancy designs that would cost a fortune for average citizens in this part of France. People could get the wrong idea as money which could’ve been spent on making the city more convenient and making the poor slightly richer, so they can manage their lives in a better way. In the future I do plan to change laws. But, of course, at this age, mother will not dare let me make my own decisions. She says it’s for the good of the people. When we arrived at the church, we took our usual seats and waited for the mass to begin. I have never dared skip church. It’s to be considered a deadly sin. Many people, including all royalty, believe that the only way to get into heaven was if the Catholic Church let them. One wrong move and the bravest citizen would be terrified of the sheer horrors waiting for them in Hell. The church service went on for about an hour. It’s so peaceful to be sitting, watching, believing and praying with the rest of the city. It truly is an honour to be Catholic. You have so many privileges yet so few restrictions. My father was out on a journey. Well, a journey to end the war once and for all. As soon as we came back to the manor, the bad news hit us. My father, King Louis VIII, had fallen in battle and in the worst case scenario, had died. A messenger came to my mother and whispered the news in her ear as quietly as a mouse. Immediately, she collapsed to the floor in a flood of tears. I stood there, alarmed for a minute and then realised what must have happened. She had been worrying about this day for her whole life and it had finally come. My mother and father loved each other dearly but his kingship and loyalty to the people was his first priority. Even though he did not want to leave his wife, the people came first. He would have wanted to die fighting, not of old age like so many others. He would have wanted to die in pride rather than in sorrow. The whole city mourned his death and even though I was not particularly close to him like so many of my siblings was, I grieved over my loss. Who would rule the kingdom, the people asked? I was too young but the law stated that a king can be crowned at any age if his successor died. I wasn’t sure if I was ready, but I didn’t seem to have any choice. Louis had been brought up by a dear friend who, in the future, also turned out to be his biographer. Sir de Joinville had enormous respect for Louis and never lost sight of the fact that the king was susceptible to human flaws and failings. Joinville knew the young king well enough to teach him about the ways of a royal. Now I am the king. I have no idea what to do. My mother and servants keep telling me that I will be a great ruler. But how would I prove that to the people of France? The west gate of Notre Dame Cathedral in France

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; text-align: center;">The King once asked him, "What is God?" <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; text-align: center;">Joinville replied, "Sire, it is that which is so good that there can be nothing better." <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; text-align: center;">"Well," said the King, "now tell me, would You rather be a leper or commit a mortal sin  <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; text-align: center;">"I would rather commit thirty mortal sins," answered Joinville, "than be a leper." Louis expostulated with him earnestly for making such a reply.   <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; text-align: center;">"When a man dies," he said, "he is healed of leprosy in his body; but when a man who has committed a mortal sin dies he cannot know of a certainty that he has in his lifetime repented in such sort that God has forgiven him; wherefore he must stand in great fear lest that leprosy of sin last as long as God is in Paradise."  A conversation between Sir de Joinville and Louis VIII (Louis IX father)



Fleur de Lis—the Royal Arms first was sealed by Louis VII( King Louis' father)

FACT: Louis Tomlinson from One Direction might be named after Louis IX or one of his predecessors or successors!!!

=**Bibliography**=

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<span style="display: block; font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">http://www.ewtn.com/library/mary/louis.htm <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">http://www.briantimms.net/topics/Fleur_de_Lis/fleurdelis.htm <span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">[]

<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">[|http://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Louis_IX_of_France#Places_named_after_Saint_Louis]

<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">By Han and Jasmin