Americans, you have a city called St Louis, but do you know this man's story?

[Julie4]

Louis IX said Saint Louis - King of France of the Capetian dynasty, Louis IX reigned from 1226 to 1270. During these sumptuous years for the country, he became the protector of justice and peace as well, than Christendom, while consolidating royal power. Louis IX was born in Poissy on April 25, 1214. Having lost his father very young, he was brought up by his mother, Blanche de Castille. Regent of France, she had her son crowned in 1226 in order to put an end to the harmful ambitions of the great feudal lords. Louis IX wears the crown when he comes of age, on April 25, 1234, then marries Marguerite de Provence the following month. His reign will be profoundly marked by the strict and pious education received from his mother, who wanted more than anything to make him a perfect Christian knight.

In 1242, he had to face the revolts of the barons of the South and won two victories at Taillebourg and Saintes against Henry III, King of England who supported the uprising. After this episode, he strives to keep the peace within the kingdom. His great piety, his sense of justice and his kindness inspire the respect of all and allow him to easily establish his authority. Louis IX the Crusader
His unbounded faith led him, in 1248, to organize the Seventh Crusade in the direction of Egypt. In June 1249, he seized Damietta but suffered a stinging defeat at Mansourah in April 1250. Taken prisoner, he regained his freedom only in exchange for a ransom. After four years spent in Syria, he was forced to return to France after the death of his mother in 1252.

In France, he strengthened royal power and tried to pacify the kingdom with patience and fairness. He laid the foundations for a parliamentary system and in 1259 signed a peace treaty with the King of England, Henry III. Finally, he had the Sainte-Chapelle and the Sorbonne built in 1257.

He was so renowned for being a just king, that throughout Europe he was sought after by other sovereigns to resolve conflicts.

[Anonymous]

I like Poissy. A lot. Wonderful place.

😂

I’m not familiar with the man, though I’ve been to St. Louis. On another note, my city was named after Louis XVI. Which is sometimes odd to me. The city really has little to no vestiges of French culture other than fleur de lis everywhere. In fact it’s not French at all, as the city was named in honor of King Louis XVI of France, whose soldiers were aiding Americans in the Revolutionary War.

Additionally, I must write that I am deeply aggrieved at the violence, unrest, and destruction in Paris and France. France is America’s oldest ally, and has always been the jewel of Europe, to my mind at least. I have a deep love of their history, art, literature, and accomplishments.

Obviously the Parisians are going to riot. It seems to happen so often it is a bit of a joke about the culture. “Well the French are rioting again.” LoL I do love that about France, the willfulness to protest—vehemently and passionately protest. But this time seems much different.

I saw pictures where people had raided police armories for their rifles... and snipers had taken up positions on rooftops. It’s terrifying and very worrisome.

Keep your head on a swivel out there, Mademoiselle, and stay safe.

[BCRanger10]

Yes, or at least some of it.

I really like his reflection on baptism, which is "I think more of the castle chapel of Poissy where I was baptized than the cathedral of Reims where I was crowned king of France. So the dignity of a child of God which was bestowed on me at baptism is greater than that of the ruler of this kingdom. The latter I will lose at death, the other will be my passport to everlasting glory.”

[Anonymous]

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2b/France_1154-en_%28Angevin_Empire%29.svg

King Henry 3rd was more king of France than St Louis was. Like all the Plantagenet Kings he was more a French king that ruled parts of the British Isles than an English king who ruled parts of France

[Sixgunsound]

It was mostly French and French Canadians who settled that area, and we eventually bought the Louisiana territory including that area from France at great cost and controversy at the time.

[Julie4]

What was then called Louisiana was much larger than the state of Louisiana is today.

Well, Napoleon sold it at a good price, honestly, for something France only had on paper lol.

[Sixgunsound]

Something he couldn't realistically defend considering he had a lot going on at home. My apologies for not being specific enough, I thought 'including that area' was good enough😁

[Julie4]

Haha excuse accept. But read about Saint Louis and also before about Philippe Auguste, under Philippe Auguste France almost disappeared, the destiny of France was really played out in a war.

[Sixgunsound]

That was supposed to be 😆

[RavVid]

No. I was completely unfamiliar with Louis IX and his story reinforces my need to increase my understanding of french history. Thank you for this snippet.

[KostasKouvalis]

Probably not, but I would imagine it had something to do with the Louisiana Purchase

[RyanEC]

I thought it was named after Louie XIV.

[Anonymous]

You've made some bad assumptions here.