The Contribution of Louis VIII to the advancement of Capetian France

Louis VIII of France has always been characterised as virtually non-important to the Capetian Dynasty and to France. His short reign between those of Phillip II and Louis IX, both considered as the greatest kings to have ruled the Kingdom of France, certainly helped to spread the belief that he was not influential to the advancement of the dynasty. On the otherhand, his actions as Prince of France, and later on as a crusader in the Albigensian Crusade but also his involvement in the war with England prove otherwise.