Louis IX of France

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.

25 April 1214

Born on the same birth day (25 April): Angel Martino • Giedo van der Garde • Guglielmo Marconi • James Fenton • Joy Covey • Melissa Hayden (dancer) • Misha Glenny • Mort Weisinger • Oliver Cromwell • Paulo Vanzolini • Renée Zellweger • Robert Skidelsky • Sara Baras • Tim Duncan