The Problem of King Louis IX of France: Biography, Sanctity, and Kingship
Jennifer R. Davis
Medieval historians composing biographies of kings often have no recourse but to rely on hagiography when other sources about their subjects are lacking. Given this constraint, the most successful medieval tend concentrate matters rulership rather than personality. Yet, two recent books—Gaposchkin's The Making Saint Louis and Le Goff's Louis—reverse trend, illuminating IX France as man saint not fully king. A careful look at scholarship, well available primary sources, underscores need for more study his kingship provides a test case benefits limits biography.
Journal of Interdisciplinary History