Saint Louis’s New Jerusalem: Relics and Eyewitness Testimony

The reign of King Louis IX, often referred to as Saint Louis, marked a significant period in French history, transforming 13th-century Paris into a "New Jerusalem." This transformation was largely due to Louis's meticulous collection of relics, housed in the Sainte-Chapelle, which elevated the royal chapel to the status of a new temple. His elaborate reliquary, designed to contain the Passion relics, was seen as a new Ark of the Covenant, symbolizing the king's pact with the French people, the "new chosen people."

King Louis IX surrounded himself with intricate stained glass and sculpture that depicted not only scenes from the Old and New Testaments but also illustrated how he amassed his vast collection of holy objects and brought them to France.

Records of a Saintly King

Fortunately, several historical records document the life of Saint Louis. The most notable among these is "The Life of Saint Louis" by Jean de Joinville, who served as the chief steward of the Duchy of Champagne under Duke Thibaut IV.

"The Life of Saint Louis" exemplifies a specific genre of medieval literature: the life of a saint written in the context of their canonization. Similar to Thomas of Celano's "Life of the Blessed Francis," penned in 1228 during Saint Francis of Assisi's elevation to sainthood, these works aim to demonstrate the virtues of a saint or potential saint. They illustrate their deeds and connections to miracles, which were considered proof of sanctity, often within the specific context of a papal inquiry. Such inquiries could be prompted by worldly pressures at the highest levels.

The Canonization Inquiry

Evidence of this investigative process is clear in the account: "Through the efforts of the king of France, Philip III, and at the command of the Pope, the Archbishop of Rouen and Brother John of Samoa, who later became a bishop, came to Saint-Denis in France and stayed there a long while in order to inquire into the life, works, and miracles of the holy king. I was summoned to go with them, and they kept me for two days. After having heard testimony from me and from others, their findings were taken to the papal court in Rome. The Pope and the cardinals examined this evidence carefully, and on the basis of what they saw, they did the king justice and placed him among the number of confessors."

Another significant record is an image from a different "Life of Saint Louis," which details the official inquiry into his worthiness for sainthood. This account was written by a Franciscan friar who claimed to be the confessor of Louis's wife, Margaret of Provence, and their daughter Blanche (born while Louis and Margaret were in the Middle East). This friar, Guiam de Sam Patus, recorded the names of key witnesses: * Philip, King of France, son of King Louis (the second born), who governed the realm. * Charles, King of Sicily, brother of the blessed Saint Louis. * The honorable Father Nicole, Bishop of Évreux, approximately 53 years old. * The honorable Father Robert, Bishop of Sées, approximately 58 years old. * Monsignor Mahi, Abbot of the Abbey of Saint-Denis in France, approximately 60 years old. * Brother Adam of Saint-Yrieix, Abbot of the Abbey of Saint-Yrieix in the Diocese of Bove, about 68 years old.

These individuals were sworn witnesses regarding the life of Saint Louis.

The Importance of Eyewitness Testimony

Joinville's narrative is heavily influenced by the inquiry into Louis's worthiness for sainthood, particularly his insistence on the reliability of his knowledge through eyewitness accounts. This emphasis is present from the very beginning of his work. In paragraph three, Joinville states: "I was not there when he died... But Count Peter of Alençon, his son, who loved me very much, was there, and he reported to me the fitting end the king made, as you will find written at the end of this book."

Throughout Joinville's "Life of Saint Louis," the phrase "I was there" is frequently repeated, serving as a guarantee of authenticity. For instance, when describing the king's court at Saumur, Joinville uses specific details to validate his account, such as particulars of dress or personal experiences. He writes, "I stood before him to carve his meat." He even includes graphic details, like a description of the effects of camp disease on Louis: "He fainted several times that evening, and because of his severe diarrhea, he went down to the latrine so often that it was necessary to cut the seat from his breeches."

Joinville explicitly states his commitment to accuracy: "I do not want to say or include in my book anything of which I am not certain. My subject is our saintly king and nothing else." This highlights a fascinating connection between the physical contact with a saint's body through relics and the legitimacy of a historical account, either through direct eyewitnessing or reliable communication of such an experience.

Joinville's insistence on his presence is evident throughout his book. The beginning of chapter one reads like sworn testimony: "In the name of God Almighty, I, John of Joinville, Seneschal or steward of Champagne, am dictating the life of our saintly King Louis. What I saw and heard during the six years I was in his company on the pilgrimage overseas and after our return."