FRANCE IN THE MIDDLE AGES

We have already learned about the Franks. The Franks were the people who settled in what is now France, and became the French. Clovis – united the Franks; 1st king; started the Merovingian dynasty Charles Martel-Mayor of the Palace, who defeated the Moors at the battle of Tours Pepin the Short-inherited the title Mayor of the Palace; ousted the last Merovingian and became king Charlemagne-greatest king of the Franks; conquered more land and ruled the great Carolingian Empire.

After Charlemagne died, his grandsons fought over his empire, and it was eventually divided into 3 parts by the treaty of Verdun in 843. The western kingdom of Charles the Bald (+ a little more) would eventually become France

In 987, the last Carolingian king (descendant of Charle magne) died. The nobles in what had been the western kingdom chose Hugh Capet to be King of France. Hugh Capet and his descendants, known as the Capetians, ruled France for more than 300 years.

Hugh Capet was chosen in 987 to be “king of France”, but really he only controlled a small area called the Ile-de-France. Feudal lords ruled the rest of France, known as duchies.

The Capetian kings aimed to unite the duchies of France under the rule of the French monarchy. Gradually this is what they did. The Capetian kings gradually increased the lands under their control in several ways Married noblewomen whose dowries included great fiefs Took control of the lands of noble families that had died out. Conquered lands held by the English kings.

In 1066, William, Duke of Normandy, conquered England, and controlled both England and Normandy. Through inheritance from both sides, and his wife’s dowry, in 1180 Henry II, king of England, actually controlled over half of France.

Philip II (Augustus) 1180-1223 King Philip II, called Philip Augustus, ruled from 1180-1223. When he became king of France, Henry II was King of England. He waited until John was king of England. When John was king of England, he waged military campaigns and took much of the English held land, thus greatly increasing the royal landholdings.

The Capetian kings continued to increase the lands over which they had direct control The Capetian kings appointed well trained officials, often of the middle class, to run the government. They extended the jurisdiction of the royal courts. The Parliament of Paris, the highest royal court, became like a supreme court.

Louis IX (St. Louis) 1226-1270 Another important king during this period was Louis IX, who was very religious, and was eventually made a Saint. He was regarded as a very wise and fair ruler. He freed the serfs of France. He also went on the 7th and 8th Crusades. He died on the 8th Crusade.

Philip IV (the Fair) 1285-1314 Wanted to tax the clergy of France, and ordered them to pay taxes. Pope Boniface VIII ordered the French clergy not to pay taxes to the French king. Boniface the VIII excommunicated Philip IV. .

Philip IV vs. Pope Boniface VIII Philip IV had agents kidnap Pope Boniface VIII Pope Boniface was rescued, but died soon after. Philip IV used his influence to get a Frenchman, Clement V, elected as the next Pope. Clement V moved the papal residence from Rome to Avignon, a city near the French border.

Philip IV (the Fair) 1285-1314 Philip IV moved to increase his popularity with the people by starting a representative assembly, the Estates General. The Estates General was an assembly of representatives of the 3 social classes (“estates”) of France: Nobles, Clergy, Commoners. The Estates General however, never had as much power in France, as Parliament did in England, because it was merely advised the king.

The Capetians intended to increase the power of the kings of France, and did, to a certain extent. However, the nobles of France still had much power, and France continued to be feudal in political organization. The Capetian dynasty died out in 1328. Philip IV had 3 sons, but none produced an heir. A new dynasty, the Valois, came to power.