Saint Louis

Saint Louis by Jacques LeGoff, translated by Gareth Evan Gollrad, 746 pages

2014 not only marks the 250th anniversary of the founding of the city of St Louis, it is also the 800th anniversary of the birth of St Louis IX, King of France.  Jacques LeGoff's biography is an excellent resource for anyone seeking to understand this royal saint and the world he inhabited.

The first third of the book comprises the actual biography of Louis IX, boy king, crusader, peacemaker, royal judge, and saint.  The middle third is an analysis of the sources for this biography, from his own words, his hagiographers, and his close friends, particularly Jean de Joinville.  The last third attempts to break down how those sources presented St Louis in terms of those roles, how those socially constructed roles affected their understanding of him and his understanding of himself.

LeGoff clearly holds considerable affection for his subject, so that he treats him fairly even when he does not share his attitudes and views.  Indeed, it is clear that LeGoff's own beliefs are very different from those of his subject, but these differences are treated sympathetically.  He does not hesitate to highlight St Louis' failings - his policies towards the Jews being an obvious example - but he does not exaggerate them, either.

Although I have some minor quibbles, this is a commendable work.  Those looking for a simple biography may want to read the first third and skip the rest.  Those who read the entirety, though, will not be disappointed.