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Louis: The French Prince Who Invaded England
In 1215 a group of English barons, dissatisfied with the weak and despicable King John, decided that they needed a new monarch. They wanted a strong, experienced man, of royal blood, and they found him on the other side of the Channel: Louis, eldest son and heir of the king of France.
“Louis emerges as a nearly man: nearly King of England, nearly a successful military campaigner, and nearly the man who terminated the Albigensian crusades. But what he nearly did allows for Hanley’s biography to touch on some of the most complex issues of the early thirteenth century.”—Alice Taylor, TLS
In this fascinating biography of England’s least-known “king”—and the first to be written in English—Catherine Hanley explores the life and times of “Louis the Lion” before, during, and beyond his quest for the English throne. She illuminates the national and international context of his 1216 invasion, and explains why and how after sixteen fruitless months he failed to make himself King Louis I of England. Hanley also explores Louis’s subsequent reign over France until his untimely death on the Albigensian Crusade. Published eight centuries after the creation of Magna Carta and on the 800th anniversary of Louis’s proclamation as king, this fascinating story is a colorful tale of national culture, power, and politics that brings a long-forgotten life out of the shadows of history.
“Louis emerges as a nearly man: nearly King of England, nearly a successful military campaigner, and nearly the man who terminated the Albigensian crusades. But what he nearly did allows for Hanley’s biography to touch on some of the most complex issues of the early thirteenth century.”—Alice Taylor, TLS
In this fascinating biography of England’s least-known “king”—and the first to be written in English—Catherine Hanley explores the life and times of “Louis the Lion” before, during, and beyond his quest for the English throne. She illuminates the national and international context of his 1216 invasion, and explains why and how after sixteen fruitless months he failed to make himself King Louis I of England. Hanley also explores Louis’s subsequent reign over France until his untimely death on the Albigensian Crusade. Published eight centuries after the creation of Magna Carta and on the 800th anniversary of Louis’s proclamation as king, this fascinating story is a colorful tale of national culture, power, and politics that brings a long-forgotten life out of the shadows of history.
296 pages, Hardcover
First published June 21, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
April 5, 2022
This is very readable and one of the few English language biographies of Louis VIII.
This mostly focuses on his wars and his brief time as King of England.
Still very thorough and very readable.
This covers Blanche as well.
I read thus probably in January 2022.
This mostly focuses on his wars and his brief time as King of England.
Still very thorough and very readable.
This covers Blanche as well.
I read thus probably in January 2022.
July 15, 2016
On June 2, 1216 a Prince entered London to universal acclaim and was met by cheering crowds, the mayor of London and walked down a procession in St Paul's Cathedral to ringing bells and the greetings of Church Prelates. This would hardly be unusual in England except for the fact the Prince went under the title "Ludovicus domini regis Francie primogenitus" or "Louis, eldest son of the Lord King of France". We are speaking of Louis VIII, Louis the Lion, eldest son and heir of Philip II Augustus, King of France and head of the Capetin dynasty.
This excellent history, well written and eminently readable, tells the tale of Louis the Lion who nearly became the King of England. During the reign of King John, John Lackland as he was called, brother of the late King, Richard I the Lionheart and object of derision for many a Robin Hood tale. King John was not a very popular King. His many flaws and poor decisions led to the loss of the vast majority of Plantagenet holdings in France, high taxes in England, and the dislike and hatred of his major Barons. This toxic climate created an opening for Louis the Lion. A devout Catholic, a gifted warrior and well known as a just and good Lord.
The book traces the development of this famous Prince. From his birth to his campaigns against the Cathar Heresy. Once, he landed in England he fought a very intelligent war and captured many castles in England, not to mention the capital of London. In fact, the military history shows that had Louis been able to reinforce his troops from across the Channel, then with the support of English Barons he would have won. Even with his available forces he split England in half, with the eastern portion of England in his hands while King John cowered in Wales. King Alexander of Scotland supported Louis as well.
But even with the support of his devoted and talented wife, Blanche, Louis was unable to bring across the Channel the forces he needed. Eventually, King John dies and is replaced by King Henry III which changed the nature of the conflict. Many of the disloyal Barons had hated King John, but with the coming of King Henry III and his famous marshal, William Marshall- one of the greatest knights of his era, also making a public support of the Magna Carta the tide turned.
Louis, eventually became Louis VIII, Louis the Lion and managed to expand his conquests into western France, which had been the domain of the Plantagenet Kings of England, in time leaving them only Gascony. While he lived he was revered as a good and just king for France. A fascinating study of a great king and his nearly successful invasion of England.
This is a well written history. If you are interested in the conflict between France and England, or are just curious about this strange event in English history I highly recommend this book.
This excellent history, well written and eminently readable, tells the tale of Louis the Lion who nearly became the King of England. During the reign of King John, John Lackland as he was called, brother of the late King, Richard I the Lionheart and object of derision for many a Robin Hood tale. King John was not a very popular King. His many flaws and poor decisions led to the loss of the vast majority of Plantagenet holdings in France, high taxes in England, and the dislike and hatred of his major Barons. This toxic climate created an opening for Louis the Lion. A devout Catholic, a gifted warrior and well known as a just and good Lord.
The book traces the development of this famous Prince. From his birth to his campaigns against the Cathar Heresy. Once, he landed in England he fought a very intelligent war and captured many castles in England, not to mention the capital of London. In fact, the military history shows that had Louis been able to reinforce his troops from across the Channel, then with the support of English Barons he would have won. Even with his available forces he split England in half, with the eastern portion of England in his hands while King John cowered in Wales. King Alexander of Scotland supported Louis as well.
But even with the support of his devoted and talented wife, Blanche, Louis was unable to bring across the Channel the forces he needed. Eventually, King John dies and is replaced by King Henry III which changed the nature of the conflict. Many of the disloyal Barons had hated King John, but with the coming of King Henry III and his famous marshal, William Marshall- one of the greatest knights of his era, also making a public support of the Magna Carta the tide turned.
Louis, eventually became Louis VIII, Louis the Lion and managed to expand his conquests into western France, which had been the domain of the Plantagenet Kings of England, in time leaving them only Gascony. While he lived he was revered as a good and just king for France. A fascinating study of a great king and his nearly successful invasion of England.
This is a well written history. If you are interested in the conflict between France and England, or are just curious about this strange event in English history I highly recommend this book.
September 3, 2018
Louis is a biography of Louis VIII of France, who was the son of Philip II Augustus and father of Louis IX. Louis was King of France for only a very short period of time, approximately three years, so he is probably remembered mostly for his invasion of England in 1216, which is not particularly well-known either.
Briefly, and there are some spoilers here, when the barons rose in revolt against King John after he revoked the Magna Carta, they offered the throne to Louis. Louis accepted the offer and invaded England, where he and the barons rapidly gained control of most of the country. However, King John died unexpectedly, and there was considerable sympathy for his 9 year old son and heir, Henry III. There were some opportunities that Louis missed, but the timing of John's death was obviously out of his control. Eventually Louis reached a settlement with William the Marshall who led Henry's forces.
Though he controlled England for a year or so, Louis is not really considered a king of England. It is a fascinating story and the author has done a great job of bringing the story to life. Louis is a relatively obscure figure, but he played an important part in the history of both France and England. I highly recommend this book.
Briefly, and there are some spoilers here, when the barons rose in revolt against King John after he revoked the Magna Carta, they offered the throne to Louis. Louis accepted the offer and invaded England, where he and the barons rapidly gained control of most of the country. However, King John died unexpectedly, and there was considerable sympathy for his 9 year old son and heir, Henry III. There were some opportunities that Louis missed, but the timing of John's death was obviously out of his control. Eventually Louis reached a settlement with William the Marshall who led Henry's forces.
Though he controlled England for a year or so, Louis is not really considered a king of England. It is a fascinating story and the author has done a great job of bringing the story to life. Louis is a relatively obscure figure, but he played an important part in the history of both France and England. I highly recommend this book.
February 17, 2019
Dr Hanley presents this relatively unknown invasion in a comprehensive but immensely readable manner — I resented life’s intrusions which made me put the book down. She has a fluid and often witty style of writing and renders Louis’s life in vivid detail locked into thorough research. Highly recommended! For further reading on this subject I also recommend Sean McGlynn’s excellent Blood Cries Afar.
July 27, 2025
Highly recommend - Informative and easy to read! Absolutely accessible to the non-history student, balancing scholarly knowledge with engaging storytelling (NOTE: lacks footnotes, which usually drives me crazy.) Hanley points out the large impact Louis had on English history: Had Louis not invaded, it is likely that the baronial rebellion would have been crushed; Magna Cara might well have been annulled and forgotten, relegated to a footnote in history as the monarchy forged ahead unabated and unanswerable to the law: Louis's part in tempering royal authority therefore left a legacy to the English which is still being felt to this day. A richly detailed narrative that explores an under-researched English civil war [Often called the First Baron's War] where the northern barons, disaffected bishops (Hello Langston!), foreign princes (Louis and Alexander II of Scotland) and even the Pope vied for power at the end of King John's disastrous reign.
Author Hanley portrays Louis not just as an ambitious opportunist, but as a figure shaped by the politics, religion and culture of both France and England. The first chapter is a masterpiece of background, quickly describing Phillip Augustus, the infighting Plantagenets and finally the implosion of John's reign. Thus this book explores first how John's temperament led to the baron's revolt, leading to Louis being invited by rebel English barons in 1216, declared "King of England" in London, and very nearly succeeding in supplanting the Plantagenet line before his fortunes reversed, laughably by the death of King John - meaning Louis could no longer claim to be rescuing England from the awful John. Hanley also gives due attention to the roles of Queen Blanche of Castile and Prince Henry (later Henry III), adding depth to what could be list of battles. Finally Hanley remind the reader of the plight of the poor/ common people, who were simply cannon fodder in a war of succession that they not only had no say in, but also didn't really affect them (except as when all of the crops were burned own and they were left to starve, yet again.) I found several pages in Chapter 3 (pg 105) and chapter 4 (pg 142) to be particularly illuminating on the plight of something like 95% of the population:
Gerald of Wales notes that the Plantagenets were 'princes who did not succeed one another in regular hereditary order but that acquired violent domination through an inversion of order by killing and slaughtering their own
Put simply, in the 12th century chivalry had very little to do with being polite to all men, gallant to all women or putting your cloak down over a puddle; the best description of it in this age and context is that it was a code which regulated the behavior of knights towards other knights. Even the most cursory glance at contemporary events demonstrates that there was no particular requirement to behave respectfully towards commoners, women, non-Christians or heretics, as we shall see.
this war was to have profound consequences for many of the common people of England, who suffered all the ills of it without reaping any of the benefits. Most of them were undoubtedly more interested in their own crops or livelihoods than who sat upon the throne, a social level which was so distance from their own experience that it could barely be imagined .. Later he [Matthew Paris] notes the indiscriminate nature of the destruction, with commoners being at the mercy of both sides: ' the war got worse, first he barons who supported [Louis], and then royalists, extorted sums of money on every side ... everything lay open to arson and everyone to slaughter, arrest, incarceration and being clapped into irons.
Author Hanley portrays Louis not just as an ambitious opportunist, but as a figure shaped by the politics, religion and culture of both France and England. The first chapter is a masterpiece of background, quickly describing Phillip Augustus, the infighting Plantagenets and finally the implosion of John's reign. Thus this book explores first how John's temperament led to the baron's revolt, leading to Louis being invited by rebel English barons in 1216, declared "King of England" in London, and very nearly succeeding in supplanting the Plantagenet line before his fortunes reversed, laughably by the death of King John - meaning Louis could no longer claim to be rescuing England from the awful John. Hanley also gives due attention to the roles of Queen Blanche of Castile and Prince Henry (later Henry III), adding depth to what could be list of battles. Finally Hanley remind the reader of the plight of the poor/ common people, who were simply cannon fodder in a war of succession that they not only had no say in, but also didn't really affect them (except as when all of the crops were burned own and they were left to starve, yet again.) I found several pages in Chapter 3 (pg 105) and chapter 4 (pg 142) to be particularly illuminating on the plight of something like 95% of the population:
Gerald of Wales notes that the Plantagenets were 'princes who did not succeed one another in regular hereditary order but that acquired violent domination through an inversion of order by killing and slaughtering their own
Put simply, in the 12th century chivalry had very little to do with being polite to all men, gallant to all women or putting your cloak down over a puddle; the best description of it in this age and context is that it was a code which regulated the behavior of knights towards other knights. Even the most cursory glance at contemporary events demonstrates that there was no particular requirement to behave respectfully towards commoners, women, non-Christians or heretics, as we shall see.
this war was to have profound consequences for many of the common people of England, who suffered all the ills of it without reaping any of the benefits. Most of them were undoubtedly more interested in their own crops or livelihoods than who sat upon the throne, a social level which was so distance from their own experience that it could barely be imagined .. Later he [Matthew Paris] notes the indiscriminate nature of the destruction, with commoners being at the mercy of both sides: ' the war got worse, first he barons who supported [Louis], and then royalists, extorted sums of money on every side ... everything lay open to arson and everyone to slaughter, arrest, incarceration and being clapped into irons.
July 12, 2020
As an Undergraduate who wrote his dissertation on 13th Century Danish History (Valdemar I !), I must give Catherine Hanley immense credit for digesting often very difficult sources into something... not only "readable" but "insightful". Imagine... you've got to have knowledge of, Old Norse, Old French, Latin, Ancient Greek (to name a few) to understand what you're reading. Then you have to judge which (normally questionable) 18th and 19th century translations you can rely on. Even then you have to weigh up individual biases within sources and translations themselves, understand how different individuals might have moved across sources and then distill it into something that someone like I (a complete twit) can read.
Whilst Louis is a less "complete" work than Hanley's "Matilda" (I would have liked a bit more context about what ruling in France meant at the time, as well as relationships with different countries) the central narrative is strong. Don't think that I have set my 5* review line as "readable" - this is a properly balanced and nuanced biography. For anyone interested in this period I would thoroughly recommend it!
Here's hoping Hanley's next series are 4 biographies on the Salian Kings OR... something readable on Frederic Barbarossa!
Whilst Louis is a less "complete" work than Hanley's "Matilda" (I would have liked a bit more context about what ruling in France meant at the time, as well as relationships with different countries) the central narrative is strong. Don't think that I have set my 5* review line as "readable" - this is a properly balanced and nuanced biography. For anyone interested in this period I would thoroughly recommend it!
Here's hoping Hanley's next series are 4 biographies on the Salian Kings OR... something readable on Frederic Barbarossa!
June 1, 2019
Hanley has written the first English biography of Louis focusing primarily on his 1216–17 expedition in England but spanning his childhood to his short tenure as king of France (1223-1226). Written for a general readership the narrative thread does have a sense of an unfolding story but it sometimes feels like a matter-of-fact explanation of events rather than a description of Louis's crusade. Sources are repeatedly cited in the text in lieu of footnotes.
Complex characters with their own ideologies and motivations seem compressed. Certain actions are held against John but portrayed as virtues in Louis. For example Hanley states John “lived up (or down) to his nickname as ‘softsword’” by not engaging in battle, but then later supports battle avoidance asserting that battle was not common and best avoided in the period generally.
Complex characters with their own ideologies and motivations seem compressed. Certain actions are held against John but portrayed as virtues in Louis. For example Hanley states John “lived up (or down) to his nickname as ‘softsword’” by not engaging in battle, but then later supports battle avoidance asserting that battle was not common and best avoided in the period generally.
June 28, 2021
There are many Kings who don’t get their own books. I was very glad to see this on French King Louis VIII, Louis the Lion, and the only French prince to ever invade England. The only reason he did so was that King John of England refused to live up to the agreements in the Magna Carta, so as both Louis & his wife Blanch had claims to the English throne due to their bloodline through William the Conquerer, he was seen as a viable alternative to the Barons of England. It’s a remarkable story and Louis was a remarkable man. Had he lived longer he would have had a chance to be marked as one of France’s great kings. But he certainly was one of the good ones. I cannot wait to read Catherine Hanley’s book about Queen Matilda.
April 1, 2024
Interesting account of Louis, the French Prince who nearly seized the English crown in 1215 - the Franch invasion few of us have heard of. Invited by the Barons, fed up with King John, he might have succeeded had John not died and the Barson switched their allegiance to his younger son, Henry III, supported by Willam Marshall. Most interesting.
January 5, 2025
A very readable narrative about an episode of English history that isn't well known. The story is clearly written, and is a popular history not a textbook.
Fascinating account. If interested in English history worth a read.
Fascinating account. If interested in English history worth a read.
September 8, 2020
If you like european medieval historical books, then this is a real cracker.
March 26, 2022
A great book! Invaluable to anyone wanting to know more about a most turbulent period of the high middle ages.
July 19, 2016
Well written and very cleanly documented for the casual history reader this book still come across as set for a younger audience. The writing is very simple as compared to many such books that take a small piece of history and delve into the many aspects of its importance or in this case the lack of detail in many main stream accounts of the era.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews