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THis Lewis the 9. at the age of 12. yeares, succeeded his Father, An. Dom. 1226. Hee was consecra∣ted at Rheims by the Arch-bishop of Sens in the absence of him of Rheims. Blanch taking of possession of her sonne Lewis, confirmed herselfe Regent of
the Kingdome with the consent of the States: whereupon the Princes in a rage proclaimed Philip Count of Bologne, Unkle to the King by the Fathers side, Regent of France, which was a cause of great dissentions. Shee brought through the sweetnesse of her words, Robert Count of Dreux into the Kings obedience. But the Duke of Bretagne, and the Count of Champagne, with the King of England, were enforced to ac∣knowledge the King, on condition that the Breton should doe homage to the King for his Dutchy, whereupon he was surnamed Mauclarke. Hee ha∣ving out-growne his minority, Anno Dom. 1234. espoused Magaret the eldest Daughter of Raymund Berenger, Count of Provence, and after erected the Countrey of Artois into a County or Earledome, which he gave to his bro∣ther Robert, who was the first Earle thereof. Hee made a voyage into the Holy Land, where he tooke Damietta after hee had overthrowne the Mame∣lucks:
and from thence marching to be∣leaguer Massaure, the plague grew a∣mongst his Army, which caused the Soldan of Aegypt to charge him so strongly, that he was taken, and most of his Army slaine, neverthelesse hee was freed upon the re-delivery of Da∣mietta.
About that time Blanch, Mother to the King, deceased, which caused the King immediately to returne into France, after he had composed all mat∣ters in Palestine. Being returned, hee studied to polish and embellish his Kingdome with good and holy Lawes. Hee made an accord with the King of England, who by that renounced all the right which hee pretended to the Kingdome of France, and the Dutchy of Normandy. About that time Charles, brother to the King, conquered both the Sicilyes, whereof hee was crowned King, An. Dom. 1266. The King Lewis made a second voyage for the recovery of the Holy Land, together with the
King of England. Hee went first into Africke, where he tooke Carthage, and at the siege of Tunes hee departed this life, Anno Domini 1270. Hee was ca∣nonized after his death for the holinesse of his life. Hee founded the holy Chap∣pell at the Palace at Paris, wherein he placed many holy Reliques.
This King being asked by his Lords what Title of honour he would assume, as the Roman Emperours and Kings of France in remembrance of their Acts and Victories had formerly done, hee answered, My greatest victory was ob∣tained against the Devill, when I was baptized in the Church of Poissi: and therefore it shall be my greatest honour to be called Lewis of Poissi. His famili∣ar Letters, wherein hee did not entitle himselfe King of France, but Lewis of Poissi, being blamed by a private friend, hee said, I am like a Twelfe-tide King, chosen with a Beane, and keeping his Feast in the Evening: intimating there∣by his Election to another Crowne in
the Kingdome of Heaven, which se∣cond Coronation should be in the Eve∣ning and end of his life. Having caused a swearer and blasphemer to be branded on the lips with a hot Iron, whereat the people murmur'd: he said he would undergoe the same punishment, condi∣tionally that oaths and blasphemies might be no more used in his kingdom. He sitting in Counsell, or beginning a∣ny action, would accordign to his Mo∣thers instruction in his infancy, blesse himselfe with the signe of the Crosse. And lastly, he gave unto his son Philip these instructions at his death. My Sonne, love God with all thy heart, with all thy strength, and with all thy soule; offend not God in any case, suffer any torment rather than sinne: Beare all ad∣versity patiently, acknowledging that God hath sent it unto thee deservedly: Make thy Confession often to some Mini∣ster of the Church; heare diligently the divine service sung in the Church of God: Keepe the good customes of thy Kingdome
carefully, abolishing those which are e∣vill: Impose no Taxes on thy Subjects, but upon great occasion. Favour those that feare GOD, love Justice, and hate Covetousnesse: Let not thy Judges be impartiall against thy Subjects: Keepe the Cities and Townes gotten by thy Pre∣decessors; preferre good and sufficient men to Benefices and Offices: Be an Ex∣ample to thy Subjects, moderate the ex∣pences of thy Court, and so God blesse thee. These were the good instructions which this godly Monarch gave unto his Sonne for the leading of an upright life, and to abandon all worldly de∣lights and pleasures, so as hee might both please God, and be a patterne to his inferiours.