The Rule of Law as a Law of Rules

Louis IX of France, Saint Louis, was renowned for the fair and evenhanded manner in which he dispensed justice.We have the following account from The Life of Saint Louis written by John of Joinville, a nobleman from Champagne and a close friend of the king:In summer, after hearing mass, the king often went to the wood of Vincennes, where he would sit down with his back against an oak, and make us all sit round him.Those who had any suit to present could come to speak to him without hindrance from an usher or any other person.The king would address them directly, and ask: "Is there anyone here who has a case to be settled?"Those who had one would stand up.