Live auction - fme_692369 - LOUIS IX or SAINT-LOUIS Médaille, Écu d’or de Saint Louis, reproduction

LOUIS IX or SAINT-LOUIS

(3/11/1226-25/08/1270)

Louis IX (1214-1270) is the eldest surviving son of Louis VIII and Blanche of Castile. King at the age of 14 under the regency of his mother, he had to face the revolt of his vassals, led by Pierre Mauclerc, Duke of Brittany (1213-1237). In 1229, he put an end to the war against the Cathars and signed the Treaty of Paris with Raymond VII, Count of Toulouse. He must fight against Henry III Plantagenêt (1216-1272) for the homage for Guyenne. He married in 1234 Marguerite de Provence (+1295). A new war broke out in 1242 against Henry III who was defeated at Taillebourg and Saintes. From 1248 to 1254, he was in the Holy Land, leaving the regency to Blanche de Castille. He was beaten and taken prisoner at Mansourah in 1250. In 1259, he signed the Treaty of Paris with Henry III, which consecrates Peace and the restitution of Guyenne against homage. His reign is marked by great economic, political and artistic influence. He left on a crusade in 1270 and died of the plague in front of Tunis on August 25 (Saint-Louis). He was canonized in 1297.