The Apple of His Eye: Converts from Islam in the Reign of Louis IX

The Apple of His Eye examines the conversion of Muslims to Christianity during the reign of France's King Louis IX in the 13th century. Jordan focuses on a specific group of converts who received royal patronage and financial support after accepting baptism. The book reconstructs the lives of these converts through analysis of royal administrative and financial records. The text explores their integration into French Christian society, including details about housing arrangements, clothing allowances, and interactions with the local population. The study traces changes in Louis IX's policies toward Muslim converts over time, considering both theological and practical motivations. Jordan examines the roles of various institutions and individuals involved in the conversion process, from priests and royal officials to the converts themselves. This work offers insights into medieval Christian-Muslim relations while raising broader questions about religious identity, assimilation, and the intersection of faith with political power. The narrative highlights tensions between religious idealism and practical governance in medieval France.

This academic book appears to have limited public reviews available online. The few readers who discussed it noted it fills a gap in scholarship about Muslim converts to Christianity in medieval France. Readers appreciated: - Original research using royal financial records - Clear explanations of conversion dynamics and social conditions - Concise length at 176 pages - Focus on individual stories and experiences Main criticisms: - Limited scope covering only ~1240-1250 - Technical writing style can be dense - High price point for length ($35-45) Available Ratings: Goodreads: No ratings Amazon: Not listed WorldCat: No reviews Google Books: No reviews Academic reviews appear in journals but require subscriptions to access. The book seems primarily used by medieval historians and religious scholars rather than general readers.

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🔹 Louis IX (Saint Louis) established a home called "House of Converts" in 1253 specifically to house and support Muslims who converted to Christianity, providing them with food, clothing, and financial assistance. 🔹 The author, William Chester Jordan, is a renowned medievalist at Princeton University who has written extensively about 13th-century France and the crusades. 🔹 The book explores how converted Muslims were often employed as translators and cultural intermediaries between Christian Europe and the Islamic world during the medieval period. 🔹 Many of the Muslim converts in Louis IX's reign came from North Africa and Spain, and some were former prisoners of war who chose conversion as a path to freedom and social integration. 🔹 The title "The Apple of His Eye" references both biblical imagery and Louis IX's special care for converts, whom he viewed as precious spiritual acquisitions for Christianity.