Louis of France (1264–1276)

French Monarchy
Direct Capetians
Philip III
Louis of France Philip IV Charles, Count of Valois Louis, Count of Évreux Blanche, Duchess of Austria Margaret of France, Queen of England

Louis of France (1263 or 1264 – Château de Vincennes, before May 1276), was an heir apparent to the French throne. He was the eldest son of King Philip III of France^[1] and his first wife, Isabella of Aragon (1247-1271). He was the heir apparent to the French throne from August 25, 1270 (at the death of his grandfather Louis IX of France), until his own premature death, at the age of 12-13.

He had three younger brothers: Philip IV the Fair, Robert and Charles.

His mother died in Calabria following a riding accident during her pregnancy with her fifth child. Louis was then 7–8 years old.

At his premature death at the age of 12 or 13, his younger brother Philip, the future Philip IV of France, succeeded him as heir apparent.

Circumstances of his death^[2]

Infamous suspicions, insidiously ascribed by parts of rivalling nobility to the royal favorite Pierre de la Broce (c. 1230 - 1278), hinted that the young Louis was poisoned by his stepmother, Mary of Brabant (1254-1321), the second wife of Philip III of France, whose alleged purpose was to eliminate successively the sons of Isabella. Thus Pierre de la Broce was arrested, then hanged (without trial) at the Gibbet of Montfaucon.

Family tree

Notes and references

1. ↑ Louis (1265- )
2. ↑ "Les Rois qui ont fait la France, Philippe le Bel" by Georges Bordonove, page 18.