Louis IX, called “St. Louis,” became King of France in 1226 when his father died. Louis’ mother, Blanche, was regent during his younger years and again from 1248 until her death in 1252. During these latter years, Louis was in the Holy Land on the Seventh Crusade.

Louis and his forces were defeated and captured in Egypt in 1250, and the King remained in Palestine for four years before returning to France.

In 1258 Louis signed the Treaty of Corbeil, relinquishing to the kingdom of Aragon all French claims to Barcelona and Roussillon, in return for which the Aragonese renounced their claims to parts of Provence and Languedoc.

The next year, Louis signed the Treaty of Paris, by which Henry III of England was confirmed in his possession of territories in southwestern France, and Louis received the provinces of Anjou, Normandy, Poitou, Main, and Touraine.

In 1270 Louis embarked on another Crusade and died en route at Tunis in northern Africa. He was succeeded by his son, Philip III. King Louis IX, an outstanding monarch of medieval times, was canonized in 1297. His feast day is August 25.