LOUIS VIII
1187 - 1226

You know Richard the Lionheart. Now you also know Louis the Lionheart, because that was Louis's nickname, as well.

Louis VIII, while just Prince Louis, was invited by the unhappy barons in England to come over and rule the country. Louis thought what the heck and visited the island.

English King John solved the bottleneck situation in his kingdom by dying.

Now the barons changed their minds and rather wanted John's son Henry III as their king. Louis was paid a handsome amount of money and went back home.

Louis was king of France 1223 - 1226, which was one short ride.

In the year 1200, Louis married Blanche of Castile. Blanche was the daughter of Alfonso VIII of Castile.

After Louis's death, his father-in-law Alfonso took care of the king's duties until Louis's oldest son Louis IX became king.