One Man Above All Others

France and King Louis during the Crusade
by Jordan Crosby

King Louis IX was born a devout Catholic, and was characterized as a man who loved God and anybody who accepted God, regardless of their background (30). Over the course of his life, King Louis would wage two crusades, one in 1248, and then in 1270 (70). Crusades by their very nature were sanctioned religious missions launched by Roman Catholic France as a way to return the Holy Land of Jerusalem back to Christian hands, and out of the grasp of the heathen Muslim population. Upon leaving on leaving for Jerusalem, the men would sing in God’s name, and would set sail in the name of the Lord (126).

What makes France distinct in regard to the Crusade is the fact that they were always at the forefront, which was symbolic of the eagerness and tenacity of Louis IX. The King himself was the leader of the crusades, and he made all his barons swear an oath of loyalty to him, declaring that they shall solemnly swear allegiance to his children should he die (114). What makes Louis remarkable is the fact that he did not just sit idly by and let other people do the deeds, but rather he is a central player in the crusades.

This is seen in a number of different ways. The first is that when the boat carrying the King’s loyal men reached Cyprus, they were shocked to find that Louis was already there waiting for them, with copious amounts of wine, grain and money (130). This was the first stop in the effort to reach Egypt, and it was told that Louis would have travelled non-stop to Egypt, without a break, had it not been for the barons who urged him to wait for his reinforcements. (132). This is remarkable for the fact that out of an original 2,800 men who set sail for Jerusalem, only 700 remained from a violent storm (146). Louis’s eagerness and loyalty to the cause prevented him from wanting to wait for reinforcements, rather he wanted to get in on some action as soon as humanely possible.

Another striking detail about the first crusades, is that Louis was willing to assist other countries, even though they might not be friends, as a way to rescue Jerusalem from the heathen Saracens. Louis received word from the King of the Tartars that he would assist them in their crusades, however the King himself did not offer his services, choosing instead to send envoys (133). This again shows that France, and especially Louis, were the forefront of the crusades, and while other countries were willing to assist, they were not willing to go as far.

Aside from merely being a King, and taking part in the crusades, Louis IX was an absolute participant in the battles as well. Upon reaching Saracen land, King Louis IX, with his shield at his neck, helmet on his head, and lance in his hand, got ready to charge at the Saracens, but was ultimately held back by his men (162). Following the battle of Mansurah, Brother Henry of Ronnay told him that no King of England has ever swam across a river, defeated his enemies in battle, and captured his enemies tents. Louis selflessly replied that it was God who should be praised, as the Lord was the one who granted him such remarkable talents (244). It ultimately ended up in failure, with Louis having to live at the court of the crusader Kingdom in Acre.

But his character would not allow him defeat, and again, at the young, ripe age of fifty-six, Louis found it his mission to attempt another crusade at bringing Jerusalem back into Christian hands (734). It turned out to be a dismal failure, but the fact that he took up the cross in the name of the Lord at fifty-six shows his true character. Quite literally, no other King did what he did, young and old, and it shows his determination and love of God, which put him, and France at the forefront of the crusades.