The New Murrey and Blue blog

Those of you who watch ‘Who Do You Think You Are?’, might remember that Danny Dyer found out he was descended from Edward III and later, in ‘Danny Dyer’s Right Royal Family’ he explored some of the other regal ancestors he had. One of these was Louis IX of France, also known as Saint Louis.

Well, Richard III was also a direct descendent of Louis and a much closer relative than Danny Dyer. If you look at the achievements and legacy of Louis, there are several parallels to Richard’s, especially promotion of justice, concern for the poor, support for the arts, especially architecture and music, and interest in the Crusades. Here is a summary of Louis’ life and legacy.

Saint Louis IX of France, also known as Louis the Saint or Saint Louis, was a king of France from 1226 to 1270. He is revered as a saint by the Catholic Church and is considered one of the most important saints of the Medieval period.

Early Life and Reign Louis IX was born on April 25, 1214, in Poissy, France. He was the son of King Louis VIII and Queen Blanche of Castile. Louis IX became king at the age of twelve after his father’s death and reigned for forty-four years. His mother offered him guidance until he came of age.

Reforms and Achievements During his reign, Louis IX implemented various reforms, including:

• Establishment of the Parlement: He created a permanent council of advisors, which later became the French Parliament.
• Promotion of Justice: Louis IX reformed the French justice system, creating a more fair, efficient and equitable system.
• Protection of the Poor: He introduced policies which protected the poor, the sick and the marginalised. He even washed the feet of lepers and fed the poor from his own table.
• Support for the Arts: He patronized artists, architects, and writers, leading to a flourishing of medieval art and literature. He supported the development of Gothic architecture, illuminated manuscripts and music.
• Crusades: Louis IX led two Crusades, the Seventh and Eighth Crusades, in an attempt to reclaim the Holy Land from Muslim rule. In the Seventh Crusade, he was defeated and captured in Egypt. He was subsequently ransomed but he became more humble because of this and modelled his life on that of Jesus. He scourged himslef with a whip every day and one of his robes still exists, which bear his blood stains.

Personal Life and Spirituality Louis IX was known for his piety, humility, and compassion. He was a devoted husband and father, and his marriage to Margaret of Provence was considered a happy one. Louis IX was also a strong advocate for the poor and the sick, and he founded several hospitals and charitable institutions.

Interesting Fact: He acquired the Crown of Thorns, believed to be the one worn by Jesus Christ during the Crucifiction and brought it to France. The Sainte Chapelle was build to house it during his reign, and it is a testament to his devotion to God and his love of architecture.

Death and Canonization Louis IX died on August 25, 1270, during the Eighth Crusade, while besieging the city of Tunis. He was canonized as a saint by Pope Boniface VIII in 1297.

Legacy Saint Louis IX is remembered as a just and fair ruler, a devoted husband and father, and a passionate advocate for the poor and the sick.

He is the patron saint of France, and his feast day is celebrated on August 25.

Of course, the fact that Richard III and Danny Dyer have several common ancestors, including Louis, means that they are cousins!