Page:A Biographical Dictionary of the Celebrated Women of Every Age and Country (1804).djvu/151

Rh Blanche found perpetual occasion for new efforts; and the last years of her regency were employed in securing that peace she had so laboured to obtain, in rendering more easy the administration of justice, in redoubling her charities to the poor, and founding many rich monasteries.

In 1233, she made a truce with England, and the next year delivered into the hands of her son the sovereign authority. That son to whom she had often said, "I would rather a thousand times consent to lose you, all royal as you are, and more dear to me than all the world contains, than know you to commit a fault which may deprive you of the protection of Heaven." This prince paid all the deference to her which such a mother merited. From regent she became prime minister. Blanche loved power, but she loved also the glory of her son, and the concord which existed between them was the source of the prosperity of her reign.

In 1248, Lewis, in pursuance of a vow he had made in sickness, undertook an expedition to the Holy Land, leaving his mother regent during his absence. Blanche warmly but ineffectually remonstrated against this action; for, though pious, she was elevated above the political errors of her age, and saw the folly of this waste of blood and treasure. But, when once it was determined, she sought only to render it as little prejudicial to him and to France as possible. She sent him frequent succours of men and money. She watched over his interest, and that of her son Alphonso, who had married the heiress of Provence, and was with him. The news from Egypt was at all times distressing. Whether Lewis was beaten or successful, France lost her youth, and new claims were made upon the treasury. Divided between her maternal fondness and her interest