Louis IX was born at Poissy on April 25th, 1214. His father, Louis VIII, died when Louis IX was 11 years old; he was crowned King at Rheims on November 29th, 1226. His mother and regent, Blanche of Castile, inspired his early religious exercises of devotion and asceticism. At age 20, Louis married Margaret of Provence, who bore him 11 children, 9 of whom lived past infancy. Blanche remained a major influence on her son Louis IX until her death in…