Louis IX of France
Louis IX of France (1214-70). King of France. He became king at the age of 12 under the regency of his mother, ‘Blanche of Castile. During his personal rule he strengthened royal authority and encouraged learning and the arts. In 1248 he embarked on the Seventh Crusade, in which he suffered defeat and capture before returning to France. He went on another crusade in 1269 but died of fever the following year. Famous for his piety in his lifetime, he was canonized by Pope Boniface VIII in 1297.
