Mstislav II , Grand Duke of Kiev
Relationship to mother is uncertain.
2381. St. Louis IX , King of France
Louis IX, King of France, known as Saint Louis, born April 25, 1214. He was crowned King at Reims Nov. 29, 1226. He stands as the ideal king of the middle ages. As early as 1244 he took the cross, and bought from the Emperor at Constantinople the crown of thorns, parts of the cross, the holy lance and the holy sponge. Louis died at Carthage on the Eighth Crusade, Aug. 25, 1270. He married Margaret, daughter of Raymond Benerger, Count of Provence, in May, 1234. He was canonized in 1297.
[Kin of Mellcene Thurman Smith ]
2392. Alfonso X "el Sabio" , Rey de Castilla
Alfonso the Wise presided over a court that saw the flowering of the Spanish culture in the Middle Ages. By the end of his reign, however, his frustrated pursuit of the title of Holy Roman Emperor and his indessicion regarding his succession created turmoil that left the kingdoms of Castille and Leon in shambles. He assembled outstanding scholars and artists in his court, and himself composed music and poetry, his Cantigas de Santa Maria being perhaps his most enduring compositions. Alfonso also supported the development of a refined Castillian Spanish that became the language of teh educated in Spain. Drawing on the scientific talent of Muslim and Jewish astronomers, he sponsored the creation of carefully constructed guides to the heavens base on the Ptolemaic (Earth centered) system that became known as the Alfonsine Tables. Completed abt. 1272, they were used by scientists for centuries until supplanted by Coppernicus. Among the many literary and juditial undertakings of Alfonso's court, were histories of Spain and of Civilization (as of Creation), and the "Siete Partidas", a comprehensive Code based on Roman Law, but wich also detailed manners and etiquette, as well as promoted a view of the king as an intermediary between God and humanity. Like many projects, however, the Code was unfinished at Alfonso's death and was never fully implemented. The end of his reign was marked by a fierce rivalry between the children of his eldest son, Fernando, who had been killed during a muslim invation in 1275, and Alfonso's second son, Sancho. Alfonso's preference was unclear, giving each side encouragment and throwing the entire country into virtual civil war. At the time of his death, having being deposed by Castillian supporters of Sancho, Alfonso sought the aid of the very muslims he had warred against for three decades, but never regained control.
[see TEMA, p. 27]
© 2001, Saul M. Montes-Bradley. All Rights Reserved