Louis IX, commonly revered as Saint Louis, was King of France from 1226 until his death in 1270. He is widely recognized as the most distinguished of the Direct Capetians. Following the death of his father, Louis VIII, he was crowned in Reims at the age of 12. His mother, Blanche of Castile, effectively ruled the kingdom as regent until he came of age and continued to serve as his trusted adviser until her death. During his formative years, Blanche successfully confronted rebellious vassals and championed the Capetian cause in the Albigensian Crusade, which had been ongoing for the past two decades.
Contemporary depiction from the Bible of St Louis, c. 1230
San Luis, Rey de Francia (English: Saint Louis, King of France) by Francisco Pacheco
Painting of Louis IX by Emile Signol
Pope Innocent IV with Louis IX at Cluny
The House of Capet ruled the Kingdom of France from 987 to 1328. It was the most senior line of the Capetian dynasty – itself a derivative dynasty from the Robertians.
Image: House of Capet family tree (FR) by shakko