How did Louis IX’s policies affect townspeople and peasants?

Louis IX’s policies significantly impacted townspeople and peasants by prioritizing order and justice, which helped protect them from the abuses of private warfare and exploitative local agents.12

His influence on these groups included:

• Legal and Administrative Protection: Louis established commissions of investigation in 1247 to address complaints regarding the abuse of power by royal officials, such as bailiffs and seneschals. He also welcomed appeals from baronial judgments, further limiting the arbitrary power of local nobles.12
• Urban Governance: While Louis confirmed municipal charters, he also imposed heavy taxes on towns. Between 1259 and 1262, he intervened in the administration of 35 communes, placing their fiscal management directly under the crown to correct mismanagement by oligarchical governors that had harmed the lower classes.12
• Social Unrest: In 1251, a peasant movement known as the Pastoureaux emerged, initially inspired by loyalty to the king during his time on Crusade. However, when the movement turned against the propertied classes, it was suppressed by the regent, Blanche of Castile.12