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 THE GROWTH OF ROYAL POWER IN FRANCE 495 his paving the way for the extension of the royal power into southern France by his participation in the wars L • VTTT against the Albigensians. He died of dysentery and Blanche on the way home, leaving a son of only twelve ° astl e years to succeed him. This seemed a fine chance for the King of England to recover some of his lost possessions and for the French vassals to revolt. Several coalitions were formed by the feudal lords, who had come to see that it was hopeless for them to struggle singly against the royal power. But all such efforts were thwarted by Blanche of Castile, the widowed queen-mother, a very religious and also very energetic woman, who ruled the realm with a firm hand until her son attained his majority. Indeed, she continued to influence his government until her death in 1253 while he was away on a crusade. Louis IX (1226-1270) was a dutiful son in whose educa- tion the rod had not been spared and whose mother often told him that she would rather see him dead _ T. . « . . . 1 • t St:* Louis than have him commit a mortal sin. In conse- quence he led such a holy life that he was canonized before the close of the thirteenth century, and we shall henceforth speak of him as St. Louis. His personal beauty became almost angelic in the eyes of contemporaries because of the pure life and piety that lay behind it. He wore a hair-cloth shirt and rose at midnight for matins like a monk. He attended many early masses, was fond of hearing sermons, and read much religious literature. He fasted punctiliously, every Friday he went to confession, and sometimes had himself whipped with small chains. He entertained paupers at his table, and washed the feet of the poor, or even, like St. Francis, waited on lepers. His eulogists also inform us that despite his detestation of beer he drank it all through Lent in place of wine. His penances, however, were usually performed in private. What his court and the world saw in him was a fearless knight thoroughly trained in all the arts of war; an enthusiast for the crusading movement; a con- scientious, just, and energetic ruler, who was usually good- humored, kindly, and courteous in speech and manner, but