uring the great
quarrel between the priestdom and the empire, and his firmness in
withstanding the violent measures adopted by Gregory IX. and Innocent IV.
against the Emperor Frederick II. Louis carried his notions, as to the
independence of his judgment and authority, very far beyond the cases in
which that policy went hand in hand with interest, and even into purely
religious questions. The Bishop of Auxerre said to him one day, in the
name of several prelates, "'Sir, these lords which be here, archbishops
and bishops, have told me to tell you that Christianity is perishing in
your hands.' The king crossed himself and said, Well, tell me how that
is made out!' 'Sir,' said the bishop, 'it is because nowadays so little
note is taken of excommunications, that folk let death overtake them
excommunicate without getting absolution, and have no mind to make
atonement to the Church. These lords, therefore, do pray you, sir, for
the love of God and because you ought to do so, to command your provosts
and bailiffs that all those who shall remain a year and a day
excommunicate be forced, by seizure of their goods, to get themselves
absolved.' Whereto the king made answer that he would willingly command
this in respect of the excommunicate touching whom certain proofs should
be given him that they were in the wrong. The bishop said that the
prelates would not have this at any price, and that they disputed the
king's right of jurisdiction in their causes. And the king said that he
would not do it else; for it would be contrary to God and reason if he
should force folks to get absolution when the clergy had done them wrong.
As to that,' said the king, 'I will give you the example of the Count of
Brittany, who for seven years, being fully excommunicate, was at pleas
with the prelates of Brittany; and he prevailed so far that the pope
condemned them all. If, then, I had forced the Count of Brittany, the
first year, to get absolution, I should have sinned against God and
against him.' Then the prelates gave up; and never since that time have
I heard that a single demand was made touching the matters above spoken
of." (Joinville, chap. xiii. p. 43.)

One special fact in the civil and municipal administration of St. Louis
deserves to find a place in history. After the time of Philip Augustus
there was malfeasance in the police of Paris. The provostship of Paris,
which comprehended functions analogous to those of prefect