For Louis IX, by the Grace of God, King of France, only the example of Christ could inspire his Kingship. After he obtained the Crown of Thorns at great cost, he carried the precious relic through Paris into Notre Dame Cathedral. In order to be constantly reminded of the Christ’s rule he built the magnificent Sainte Chapel in the courtyard of his palace to shelter Jesus’ crown. As his first crusade failed to liberate the grave of the Saviour, he launched a second crusade which he did not survive. The heartbroken son returned the mortal remains of his devout father to Notre Dame before they were interred in the basilica of Saint Denis.
