The idiom “a king’s ransom” means something that costs a staggering amount of money, as in “I’ll bet that diamond- encrusted wristwatch cost a king’s ransom.” An incident in the life of Louis IX of France gives us a vivid illustration of its actual meaning.
Born in 1214, Louis became king at age 12. His mother, Blanche of Castille, didn’t waste any time getting her boy on the throne after her husband’s death. One of the titles bestowed on the adolescent Louis at his coronation was “lieutenant of God on Earth”. Titles like that are why crowns don’t come in small or medium sizes — only extra-large.
Read Full Article »