St. Louis IX

ST. LOUIS IX

Introduction

The most striking characteristics of the political annals of France throughout the tenth and eleventh centuries are the confrontation of the feudal aristocracy on the one hand, with monarchical and democratical power on the other, and the leverage used by the Crusades on both. The Crusades aided much in the accomplishment of the final outcome, the decimation of the power of the nobility. In the first place, they glorified the feature of feudalism by enforcing the values of chivalry. To be a "true knight," a man should be devout, just, merciful, and pure. Many Crusaders, really, dropped far short of this high ideal; but there can be no doubt that, on the whole, it increased the benchmark of morality, and checked the rampant tyranny which had before prevailed. Founded on a standard of sincere though wrong piety, the Crusaders identified all who took the cross as brethren; hence the meanest serf became, in some assess, free; and the identical benign sentiment expanded its effect to all classes. The affinity of a widespread cause in foreign lands further contributed to wean the Crusaders from the class quarrels and household feuds which used by them at home. During their nonattendance the crest was enabled to acquire a strength which had before been expended in the repression of unchanging rebellions. And the need of cash for the expedition obliged many feudal lords to agreement with the communes for the sale of countries or liberties.

Analysis

Such was the status of France at the commencement of the thirteenth century. The balance of power, although, was only sustained by the activity of all the parties concerned. The slightest wavering on the part of the crown would be fatal, the least opening seized. Ashrewd, sincere, and humane leader was required to approve and enlarge the vantage ground which regulation and alignment had already got; and such a leader rose in the person of Louis IX., who ascended the throne in 1226.

His dad, Louis VIII., was a man of feeble character, whose reign was chiefly signalized by the horrible persecution of the Protestant Albigenses of Provence, which, under the sanction of Innocent III., and subsequent Popes, had been conveyed on by Simon de Montfort and other fanatics, since 1209. Louis himself had past away of high temperature when about to commence the siege of Toulouse.

The Queen Dowager, Blanche, of Castile, was a woman of large power, and during the few of her child she bravely contested her claims to the regency of the kingdom against those of Philip, her husband's brother, who Henry III., of England, supported. She asked, not in vain, to the thankfulness of the metropolis, which the Capetian monarchs had befriended; and at her call a large force of people connected her. With their aid she beaten Philip and other nobles, who are against her son's coronation, and by two treaties, in 1229 and 1231, she both extended the bounds of her kingdom and put an end ...