Rex Christianissimus

Louis IX became King of France when he was only 12 years old. With such a start, it’s hard to believe that he became the king to rule France in its golden époque, later to be canonized as Saint Louis. On the other hand, having his mother Blanche de Castile as regent until his maturity and as a prime counselor until her death was a great advantage.

Louis didn’t lead many wars, but had an indisputable influence all over the known world at the time. He headed two crusades that proved to be unsuccessful, but which brought him a reputation as a noble Christian King. A wise politician, Louis found the perfect combination between politics and religion to become the most respectful sovereign on earth. He reformed institutions and founded the Parliament of Paris, while at the same time showed mercy and justice for his people. He expelled the Jews engaged in usury in order to finance his first crusade, but at the same time he protected arts and literature and favored the development of a golden age in culture. Louis was often called as arbiter in international and supranational arguments, as he was considered the highest authority in Europe. Much of his influence was due to his title – King of France. Since the times of the great Charlemagne, the King of the Franks, or Rex Francorum, was given a special statute of Rex Christianissimus. The Roman Catholic Church assigned it to his heirs, and thus the monarchs of France dominated in influence all over Europe. France was considered the “oldest daughter of the Church”. Though the legacy he had was of prime importance, Louis multiplied its effect. His aura of a just and strong sovereign was achieved with reasonable and impeccable rule in several fields – diplomacy, culture and religion. Louis was not a worrier, but there was no better politician.

Religion was his major battlefield. The two unsuccessful crusades were but a small part of a major campaign, by which Louis aimed to establish the indisputable domination of France all over the Christian world. In 1239, he paid the huge amount of 135,000 livres to the Latin Emperor of Constantinople, Baldwin II, for the Crown of Thorns. A couple of years later Louis purchased more relics from Byzantium, among which were a piece of the True Cross. Gathering an impressive ensemble of religious relics, Louis managed to fulfill his goal – France became the home of Christianity. There was just one thing missing.

All religious symbols needed an equal home to host the spirit of sanity they carried, a home as glorious as no other. And thus the project of the Holy Chapel was launched.