Saint Louis: Crusader King of France

Saint Louis: Crusader King of France
by Jean Richard
Edited and abridged by Simon Lloyd
Translate by Jean Birrell
Cambridge University Press, 1992.

Though twenty years old now, and markedly devoid of footnotes for the reader to follow the sources of information Richard draws upon unless noted by author names, this work leaves one feeling that it is fully comprehensive and authoritative.  Richard has the unenviable task of trying to bring Louis IX of France (1214-1270), into focus within his historical world, avoiding as much as possible sources of hagiography that would tend to cloud the image of the man which Richard tries so hard to bring out.  Rather than focus on the history of Louis as the crusader in the east, the book is devoted to the man who ruled his kingdom well though moderation, the upshot being that France was left with a much stronger feudal system than previously, and a monarchy more firmly place at the top.

Dr. Richard chooses an interesting way of telling the story of Louis, beginning with a youth interrupted by the death of a father at a young age, leaving Louis IX only fourteen and under the influence of his mother Blanche of Castile during his minority and early years as king.  In true biography fashion, Richard traces the youth of the king, his relationship to family and supporters in a more or less chronological pattern.  The real departure for Louis from his predecessors who strove to assert the power of the monarchy, lies not so much in the way in which he consolidated his control through skilled diplomacy, but according to Richard, it was the reputation he gain and his choice of living righteously after his involvement in the Seventh Crusade.

Louise is depicted as having benefited greatly from his mother's good Christian influence and advice, parrying a counter point of view that she was overbearing and controlling.  Richard demonstrates through acts of statesmanship, that Blanche of Castile was the best possible candidate to guide the young Louis on the road to kingship.  After his adventures overseas (12-48-1254), Louis returns on a holy mission of sorts.  Richard gives evidence through his acts as a fair and just king, advocate and ally of the the papacy, and peace seeking monarch, that Louis IX gained a reputation as the leading monarch of Europe.  While it is clear that Richard is favorably disposed to the French king, the army of good qualities and commendable acts of his reign, due tend to support a favorable conclusion by the end of the book.

On the other hand Richard fails to focus as much on the actual expense of the two crusades Louis participated in on the economic health of France.  Various figures are given throughout the text, so Richard clearly knows the sources of income for the king's wars, but except for protests by clergy and people, we never do get a close look at the financial ruin that might have been inflicted on a city to the point of breaking its oath to the king.  Tyrannical and heavy handed, like a father demanding perfection in everything, Louis runs his kingdom like a monastery, expecting austerity and unity between all individuals before God.  However, it is this very quality of the man's rule, that leaves a France more powerful and richer through good and thorough government than it had ever been before.  Richard argues in sum that it is Louis IX, and Louise the saint, which led Europe through the thirteenth century best by his exemplary policies towards justice and fair play, and his personal commitment to right living before God.

- John Lowe (J. Sharp)