Louis VIII, king of France

Louis VIII, 1187–1226, king of France (1223–26), son and successor of King Philip II Philip II or Philip Augustus, 1165–1223, king of France (1180–1223), son of Louis VII. During his reign the royal domains were more than doubled, and the royal power was consolidated at the expense of the feudal lords.
..... Click the link for more information. . He fought (1215, 1219) against the Albigenses Albigenses (ălbĭjĕn`sēz) [Lat.,=people of Albi, one of their centers], religious sect of S France in the Middle Ages.
..... Click the link for more information. in S France. Invited by English lords in rebellion against their king, John John, 1167–1216, king of England (1199–1216), son of Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine .

Early Life

The king's youngest son, John was left out of Henry's original division of territory among his sons and was nicknamed John Lackland.
..... Click the link for more information. , to become king of England, he invaded (1216) England, although his action caused his excommunication by Pope Innocent III. The death of John and the accession of Henry III as king of England lost Louis much support among the English nobility. After his defeat (1217) at Lincoln, he withdrew. In 1224 he conquered Poitou from the English. To make his peace with the church, he pledged to go on crusade, and in 1226 he resumed the Albigensian Crusade and conquered most of Languedoc. He continued his father's policy of strong central authority.

Louis VIII

known as Coeur-de-Lion. 1187--1226, king of France (1223--26). He was offered the English throne by opponents of King John but his invasion failed (1216)