Author Description

Saint Louis: A King's Obsession with Relics, Magic, and Spells is a richly detailed exploration of the life and reign of King Louis IX of France, a monarch whose legacy is steeped in both sanctity and the supernatural. This book delves deep into the hidden aspects of Louis IX's life, revealing a ruler driven not only by his devout Christian faith but also by an insatiable hunger for mystical knowledge and power. King Louis IX, canonized as Saint Louis after his death, is often remembered for his piety and his role in the Crusades. However, beneath the surface of his holy image lay an unquenchable fascination with relics, magic, and the occult. This book uncovers the lengths to which Louis went to amass an unparalleled collection of sacred relics, including the Crown of Thorns, which he believed would grant him divine favor and mystical protection. His relentless pursuit of these objects was not just for spiritual fulfillment but was also a strategic move to consolidate his power and legitimacy as a ruler. Saint Louis: A King's Obsession with Relics, Magic, and Spells takes readers inside the king's inner circle, revealing the shadowy world of alchemists, astrologers, and mystics who influenced his decisions and fueled his obsession. The book meticulously details how Louis IX's court became a hub for arcane knowledge and esoteric practices, with the king himself participating in secret rituals designed to harness the power of the divine and the arcane. As Louis's obsession grew, so did the complexities of his reign. The book examines how his mystical pursuits affected his political and military strategies, particularly during the Crusades, where his belief in divine intervention through relics and magic was put to the ultimate test. It also explores the tension between his public image as a devout Christian king and the private realities of his dealings with the supernatural, including the conflicts it caused with the Church and his