Before his succession, Louis assisted his father in several campaigns to win control of French territories belonging to John the Angevin, King of England.

In 1215 Louis was offered the crown of England by a group of barons in rebellion against King John. Louis led an expedition to England, but was unsuccessful in claiming the throne. John died in the midst of the struggle and was succeeded by his son, Henry III. The French invaders were excommunicated by the Papal Legate in England and were defeated in battle at Lincoln.

Louis returned to France in 1217, and there took part in crusades against a dissident religious sect called the Albigenses of Cathars. After succeeding his father as King in 1223, Louis continued Philip’s policy of destroying the power the Plantagenets in France and bringing under Royal authority the provinces held by the Albigenses in the south of France. Louis VIII died just three years after becoming King of France.