At his coronation as king of France, King Louis IX bound himself by oath to behave as God's anointed, as the father of his people and feudal lord of the King of Peace. Unlike previous kings, he actually interpreted his kingly duties in the light of faith. After the violence of two previous reigns, he brought peace and justice.

Saint Louis was devoted to his people, founding hospitals, visiting the sick, and like his patron Saint Francis, caring even for people with leprosy. He is one of the patrons of the Secular Franciscan Order. Saint Louis united France's lords and townsfolk, peasants and priests and knights by the force of his personality and holiness. For many years the nation was at peace.

Disturbed by new Muslim advance in the Holy Land and northern Africa, Saint Louis led two crusades, passing away from disease in Carthage.

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