Saint Louis and The Last Crusade

Louis IX of France, who took the throne in 1226, had one aim in life -- to be a good king. Guided by the advice of his mother, he ruled well and was beloved by his people. At the age of twentyeight he took the cross of the crusade and, with his army, set out for Egypt to defeat the Saracens, the most energetic enemies of the Holy Land.

Instead, the Saracens charged to victory and imprisoned Louis, whose saintly conduct while in prison shamed his captors. Released, and after another miserable failure in Palestine, he returned to France broken in health but still fired with the desire to liberate the Holy Land.

And so again, St. Louis led his men out from France, this time on the last crusade.

Margaret Ann Hubbard

Margaret Ann Hubbard was born in North Dakota and educated at the University of Minnesota and the Goodman School of Theater, Chicago. She wrote numerous books including A Crown for Carly, Halloran's Hill, Thunderhead Mountain, Murder Takes the Veil, and another book in the Vision Books series, Vincent de Paul: Saint of Charity.