Louis IX’s letter to the French of August 1250 (Part 2): its context and historiographical impact

In August 1250, after the failure of his crusade in Egypt, Louis IX wrote a letter to his French subjects. Despite the fact that it represents the king’s own account of the disastrous events of 1250 that resulted in devastating human loss, the collapse of his crusade, and his own capture, this letter has never been the object of scholarly analysis. This article examines the letter’s role in 1250 and its subsequent influence in medieval historical writing. It makes three arguments. First, in 1250, Louis’ letter was important as a source of authentic information in a confused information environment. Second, the letter functioned as a kind of royal speech act in calling people to take the cross, which contributed to the popular Pastoureaux movement of 1251. Third, the letter was the first draft of the history of this pivotal event, and as such was decisive in how subsequent historians recounted the events of 1249–1250.