Author Andrew Willard Jones discusses the life of King St. Louis IX, highlighting his role as a lay member of the Church sanctifying the temporal order. Topics include King Louis's decision to go on crusade, his reforms after being captured, the significance of anointing in the French monarchy, forgotten peasant rights, temporary fixes for social problems, and his relationship with the Church regarding usury and spiritual power.
King Louis IX saw himself as a lay member of the Church sanctifying the temporal order.
Louis IX's commitment to peace, justice, and holiness earned him the reputation of a saintly ruler.
Friendships and networks of obligation played a crucial role in maintaining social order and organizing society during the Middle Ages.
Deep dives
Louis' Reign and Interactions with the Papacy
Louis IX, also known as St. Louis, became king of France at the age of 12. He consolidated royal rule and faced rebellions from powerful nobles. His reputation as a fair ruler was established by his commitment to justice and his willingness to yield advantages for the sake of peace. Louis also had a keen interest in the papacy and began studying the medieval papacy. His research led him to explore the interactions between the papacy and the powerful French monarchs. This interest eventually led him to focus his study on the reign of Louis IX, which served as bookends for his research.
Louis' Crusades and Impact on France
Louis IX felt a strong calling to go on a crusade, even though his mother opposed it. He embarked on a journey to Egypt with a large army to support the Latin kingdom of Jerusalem, which was facing difficulties. Although the crusade was not ultimately successful, it did not deter Louis's determination to recapture the Holy Land. When he returned to France, he commenced a period of reform and worked towards establishing peace and justice within his kingdom. His reforms included establishing stable court systems, investigating abuses of power, and working with religious orders to promote an inquisitorial regime. Louis's commitment to peace, justice, and holiness earned him the reputation of a saintly ruler.
The Sanctity and Reform of Louis IX's Reign
Louis IX's reign was marked by his pursuit of sanctity and the reform of his kingdom. He viewed his role as king as an anointed position, aimed at the salvation of his people. His reforms focused on establishing peace and justice, and he was known for siding with the poor against the rich until proven otherwise. Louis implemented investigations into abuses of power, established centralized court systems, and maintained a strong commitment to prayer, public liturgy, and the reform of monasteries. His dedication to sanctity and orthodoxy was seen as an integral aspect of his rule, and he sought to create a kingdom that was in line with his vision of a Christian society.
The Importance of Friendship and Networks of Obligation
The podcast episode explores the significance of friendship and networks of obligation in maintaining social order and organizing society during the Middle Ages. These friendships and oaths were the foundation of the army and also impacted the way society functioned. Loyalties to lords and obligations to one another played a crucial role in both wartime and peacetime activities. The podcast highlights how this system of friendships and oaths, although it may seem inefficient or confusing, was a fundamental aspect of the Middle Ages.
Louis IX's Reforms and the Pursuit of Genuine Peace
The podcast delves into the reforms implemented by Louis IX, highlighting his commitment to maintaining peace and justice within his kingdom. Louis aimed to cultivate true and genuine peace, rooted in friendship and mutual respect, rather than maintaining a superficial or oppressive peace. His reforms included setting up a bureau of investigators to proactively address conflicts, maintaining good customs, and intervening to rectify instances of violence or injustice. The podcast also emphasizes Louis' deference to the church as a source of moral authority, while asserting his role as a lay king with his own responsibilities and judgment.
In this episode of political saints, Andrew Willard Jones, author of "Before Church and State", discusses the life of King St. Louis IX. Dr. Jones shows how Louis fulfilled his role as king within his role as laity. Instead of the modern way of viewing Church and State as in tension with one another, King Louis saw himself as a lay member of the Church sanctifying the temporal order.
