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September 5th,1187-Anniversary of the birth of future Louis VIII (The Lion)
Louis VIII is, to me, one of the most interesting French Kings. Not to mention, he's the only French Monarch who became King of England as well (even if the Treaty of Lambeth concluded he had never been a legitimate King). Had John I not died at the height of Louis' triumphs (making most English barons switch allegiance in favour of young Henry III), who knows, maybe there would be union of English and French Crowns?
His wife, Blanche of Castile, was even more fascinating: she was Queen (Regnant) of France in all but name not only during her Regency, but even after Louis IX came of age. And she certainly was more able than quite a few Kings before and after her.
My favourite French Monarch. I was reading a biography of his just recently and it's quite astonishing to follow his path from an (apparently) airhead young Prince who married Marguerite of Navarre, to one of the greatest Kings of France (if not THE greatest).