The Capetians
(1081-1137), called “The Fat,” added to the prestige and power of the throne. During most of his reign, 1108-37, Louis acted vigorously against nobles who engaged in robbery, especially near Paris. By harshly punishing them and seizing or destroying their castles, Louis brought a large degree of law and order to the kingdom. An able military leader, he kept the English from expanding their holdings in Normandy. When invaders under Henry V of Germany threatened France in 1124, Louis forced them to retreat.
(1121?-1180), known as“The Young,”became king on the death of his father, Louis VI, in 1137. He quarreled with Pope Innocent II and was placed under interdict (denial of sacraments). After the dispute was settled, Louis joined the Second Crusade in 1147 and was defeated by Saladin. Louis had his marriage to Eleanor of Aquitaine annulled in 1152 and she then married Henry of Anjou. When Henry became Henry II of England, he laid claim to the provinces of Poitou and Guienne, which had belonged to Eleanor. In the resulting struggle between Louis and Henry, the English occupied parts of France.
(1187-1226), known as“The Lion,”succeeded his father, Philip II, in 1223. As a prince, Louis led an attack in 1215 on the Albigenses, members of a religious sect in the south of France who denied basic teachings of the church concerning Jesus. In 1216 English barons who opposed King John offered Louis the English crown and Louis led an expedition to England. When John died, however, so many English barons deserted Louis for Henry III that Louis, who was defeated at Lincoln, left England.
After he became king of France, Louis forced the English out of the province of Poitou. In the last year of his life Louis wiped out the Albigensian stronghold of Languedoc and captured the city of Avignon.
(1214-1270) was canonized as Saint Louis in 1297. He became king in 1226 at the age of 12 on the death of his father, Louis VIII. His mother, Blanche of Castile, was regent until he came of age. Louis' long reign was marked by improvement of the administration of justice for the common people. A territorial settlement with Henry III of England brought peace and strengthened France. Louis IX was a patron of education and of architecture, and helped found the Sorbonne.
Louis' religious nature prompted him to lead the Seventh Crusade into Egypt in 1248. Mismanagement and indecisiveness by Louis caused his defeat and capture by Saracens in 1250. France paid a heavy ransom for his release in 1254. Louis died in Tunis, North Africa, leading another crusade.
(1289-1316), called“The Quarreler,”was the son of Philip IV. He reigned 1314-16.
