| Character/Date | Short Biography |
|---|---|
Merovingians | |
466–511 |
Founder of the Frankish Kingdom. Converted to Christianity by his wife Clotilda. |
d. 545 |
Christian wife of Clovis; converted him to Christianity, and built a church. |
d. 597 |
Murderous queen consort of Chilperic, a Merovingian King. Quarreled for 40 years with Brunhilda, sister of his former wife. |
| Brunhilda 603-639 | Merovingian Queen who ruled as regent for her sons and grandsons. Feuded with Fredegonde. |
| Dagobert I 603-639 | Last of the strong, respected Merovingian kings. Later Merovingians were "do-nothing" kings. |
Carolingians | |
686–741 |
Frankish King who defeated the Moors at the Battle of Tours. |
714–768 |
King of the Franks. Son of Charles Martel. Father of Charlemagne. |
742–814 |
First Holy Roman Emperor. Unified most of Western Europe into a Frankish Empire. |
d. 778 |
Nephew of Charlemagne and legendary hero of his wars. Died at Roncesvalles. |
~ 780 |
Leader of Saxon resistance to Charlemagne. After years of struggle, converted to Christianity. |
735–804 |
Famous teacher of the middle ages in both England and France. Founded schools in York, and under Charlemagne. |
Later Carolingians | |
778–840 |
Son of Charlemagne and king of Franks. On his death his three sons divided the kingdom between them. |
804–876 |
Grandson of Charlemagne, ruler of East Franconia. |
823–877 |
Grandson of Charlemagne who Inherited Kingdom of the West Franks. Dealt with Norse pirates who besieged Paris. |
832–888 |
Briefly reunited the East and West Kingdoms of Charlemagne. |
850–899 |
Deposed uncle, Charles the Fat. Repelled Vikings invaders at Battle of Leuven. |
Early French Saints | |
d. 250 |
Saint of the third century who was martyred in Roman Gaul by druid priests for converting Celts to Christianity. |
317–397 |
Roman soldier who gave up his military career to follow Christ. Bishop of Tours and early monastic personality. |
~ 190 |
Early Christian theologian, bishop in Roman Gaul, recognized as a Father of the Church. |
380–448 |
Renowned Bishop from Gaul visited Britain in order to help combat Pelagianism heresy. |
538–594 |
Bishop of Tours, historian who record the deeds of the early Merovingians and Martin of Tours. |
| Genevieve 420-502 | Peasant girl of France whose prayers diverted the Huns from attacking Paris. |
| Remigius 437-533 | Bishop of Reims who befriended, helped convert, and baptized Clovis. |
| Character/Date | Short Biography |
|---|---|
Dukes of Normandy | |
d. 931 |
Viking Leader who was granted the Dukedom of Normandy if he became Christian. |
932–996 |
Grandson of Rollo the Viking who introduced Feudalism into Normandy and increased influence of Duchy. |
1008–1035 |
Duke of Normandy and Father of William the Conqueror. |
1028–1087 |
Claimed the crown of England and won it at the Battle of Hastings. Ruled forcefully but justly. |
1051–1134 |
Eldest son of William the Conqueror, querreled with Father but succeeded him in Normandy. Leader of First Crusade. |
| Arthur of Brittany 1187-1203 | Grandson of Henry II, and rightful king of England, murdered by his uncle John I. His murder led to the King of England's loss of Normandy. |
Normans of Italy | |
1015–1085 |
Norman mercenary who conquered Southern Italy and Sicily from the Greeks and Saracens. |
1093–1154 |
Formed the Kingdom of Naples and Sicily, a great sea power of southern Italy for 7 centuries. |
Last of the Carolingians | |
823–877 |
Grandson of Charlemagne who Inherited Kingdom of the West Franks. Dealt with Norse pirates who besieged Paris. |
879–929 |
French King who conceded the Dukedom of Normandy to Rollo the Viking. |
860–898 |
Ruled briefly as king of France after Charles the Fat was deposed. Gained renown for fighting vikings, but died without issue. |
Early Capet Kings | |
938–996 |
Noble who became a king of France after the death of the last Carolingian King. |
972–1031 |
Second of the Capet Kings of France. Married to Constance, a woman of great intrigue and mischief. |
1081–1137 |
Influential Capet King who centralized royal power and fought the Normans. |
| Louis VII 1120-1180 | Led the disastrous 2nd Crusade with his queen Eleanor of Aquitaine (later divorced). |
1165–1223 |
King of France who expanded his realm by retaking Normandy and Anjou from the Plantagenets. |
Clergy and Ministers | |
850–913 |
Scheming minister of Arnulf, and regent for Louis the Child. Secured vacant throne for Conrad I. |
1079–1142 |
Eminent Priest and Teacher, famed for his ill-fated affair with Heloise. |
1081–1151 |
Trusted Counsellor of Louis VI. Remodeled St. Denis Abbey in Paris in Gothic style and popularized Gothic Architecture. . |
1050–1115 |
Monk who helped instigate the First Crusade, by preaching against the Moslems of Jerusalem. |
1091–1153 |
Monk who helped revive the original spirit of monasticism among the Cistercian Order. |
| Pope Sylvester II 946-1003 | First French Pope. Originally a noted scholar, Gerbert of Aurillac. Promoted use of decimal number system in Europe. |
| Pope Urban II 1035-1099 | Second French Pope. Called for the First Crusade at the Council of Clermont. |
Crusader Kings | |
1060–1118 |
Leader of the first Crusade, served as Count of Edessa, the first Crusader state, and then 'king' of Jerusalem. |
1054–1111 |
Norman Prince of Italy who led the first Crusade became ruler of Antioch crusader state. |
1060–1100 |
Leader of the First Crusade. Reconquered Jerusalem for the Christians. |
1072–1112 |
Leader of the first Crusade who eventually became regent of Antioch and Galilee. |
1197–1249 |
Count of Toulouse who sided with the Albigensian heretics against the King of France. |
| Character/Date | Short Biography |
|---|---|
Late Capet Kings | |
1214–1270 |
Crusading king. Canonized as a saint for his concern and compassion for the poor. |
1188–1252 |
Queen of France and mother of St. Louis who served as regent when he was on crusades. |
| Philip III 1245-1285 | (the Bold) King during 'Sicilian Vespers'. Died while campaigning against Aragon, whose king was blamed for the massacre. |
1268–1314 |
King of France best known for feuding with pope Boniface VIII and executing the Knights Templars. |
| Louis X 1289-1316 | First of three sons of Philip the Fair who became king of France and died mysteriously. Ordered all slaves and serfs in France be freed or allowed to buy their freedom. |
Popes and Knights Templars | |
1243–1314 |
Last Grandmaster of the Knights Templar. Convicted of heresy and satanism, and executed on Friday the 13th, 1314. |
1235–1303 |
Pope who advocated of papal supremacy against king Philip IV of France, and was ultimately defeated. |
1264–1314 |
French Pope who moved the Papal court to Avignon. Dissolved the order of Knights Templars and died shortly after their execution. |
Early Valois Kings (Hundred Years War) | |
| Philip VI 1293-1350 | (the Fortunate) First king of the Valois line. Had to deal with a rebellion in Flanders and early losses to Edward III in the Hundred Years War. |
| John II 1319-1364 | (the Good) Second king of the Valois line. Quarrel with Charles the Bad led to further English incursions. Taken prisoner by Black Prince at battle of Poitiers. |
| Charles V 1338-1350 | (the Wise) As regent during captivity of John II, dealt with civil war led by king's enemies. As king, won back much French territory from England with du Guesclin. |
Opponents of the Valois Kings | |
1312–1377 |
Reigned for nearly 50 years. Invaded France, and won the Battles of Crecy and Calias. |
1330–1376 |
Excellent general and leader who ruled alongside his father, Edward III. Victor at the Battle of Poitiers. |
| Jacob Van Artevelde 1290-1345 | Wealthy Flemish merchant, known as "Brewer of Ghent." Led a rebellion against Philip VI, but was killed by his own countrymen for corruption. |
| Charles II of Navarre 1332-1387 | (Charles the Bad) Treacherous enemy of the Valois kings, who claimed the crown through his mother, Joan of Navarre. |
| Etienne Marcel 1302-1358 | (a.k.a. Stephen) Powerful leader of the merchants of Paris, allied with Charles the Bad, attempted to betray Paris. Provoked 'Jacquerie' peasant riots, funded 'Great Companies'. |
1313–1369 |
Wife of Edward III and mother of 13. Intervened at siege of Calias in favor of citizens. |
Martial Heroes | |
1320–1380 |
French commander during the Hundred Years war, who harassed the English rather than seeking pitched battles. |
Saints and Scholars | |
1225–1274 |
Foremost theologian and philosopher of the Catholic Church. Doctor of the Chruch. |
1221–1274 |
Francisican Theologian and Philospher. Doctor of the Church. |
| Nicole Oresme 1320-1382 | Medieval monk and scholar who served as an advisor to Charles V. |
1337–1405 |
Famous historian of mediaeval France, especially regarding the Hundred Years War. Served as secretary to Philippa of Hainault. |
| Character/Date | Short Biography |
|---|---|
Kings of France: Hundred Years War | |
| Charles VI 1368-1422 | (the Mad) King who was controlled by his uncles and queen after he went insane. Reigned for forty years during the Armagnac-Burgundy Civil War. |
| Philip the Bold 1342-1404 | Duke of Burgundy who founded the Burgundian-Valois dynasty. Served as primary Regent for Charles VI until his death in 1404. Feuded with the Duke of Orleans. |
| Charles VII 1403-1461 | (the Victorious) Disinherited as Dauphin until Joan of Arc escorted him to Rheims to be crowned. As king, ruled wisely and brought the 100 Years' War to a close. |
| Henry V 1403-1461 | (of England) Led a victorious army of longbowmen against France at Agincourt. Made regent of France by Treaty of Troyes, but died shortly afterward. |
Armagnac-Burgundian War | |
| Isabella of Bavaria 1370-1435 | Wicked queen of the Mad king Charles VI. Betrayed former allies and even her son Charles VII to make alliance with the English. |
| Count of Armagnac 1360-1418 | Constable of France and leader of the Armagnac pro-Charles VII faction during the later years of the Hundred Years War. |
| Yolande of Aragon 1384-1442 | Mother in law of Charles VII who supported Joan of Arc and protected the king in his wars against the English. |
| John the Fearless 1371-1419 | Duke of Burgundy and leader of the Burgundian faction until he was assassinated by the Armagnac faction.. |
1412–1431 |
Led the French Army to Victory at the Siege of New Orleans. Burned at the stake by English. |
Kings of France: Renaissance Period | |
| Louis XI 1423-1483 | (the Spider King) Wily and treacherous King who increased the power of the throne and took vengeance on his enemies. |
1433–1477 |
Duke of Burgundy who fought France in the Burgundian Wars. At his death his domains passed to the Hapsburgs. |
| Louis XII 1462-1515 | Only king from Valois-Orleans line. Married Anne of Brittany and became involved in the Italian Wars. |
1494–1547 |
King of France who was a patron of the arts, and was involved in the Italian Wars. |
| Henry II 1519-1559 | Brought Italian Wars to a close. Influenced by mistress Diane Poitiers and queen Catherine de Medici. |
Queens and Mistresses | |
1519–1589 |
Queen of France who is generally held responsible for the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre. |
1573–1642 |
Queen of Henry IV, and regent following his assassination. |
| Anne of Brittany 1477-1514 | Heiress to Duchy of Brittany. Compelled to marry two kings of France: Charles VIII, Louis XII. |
| Diane de Poitiers 1500-1566 | Influential courtier during the reign of Francis I, and chief mistress of Henry II. |
| Mary of Burgundy 1457-1482 | Daughter of Charles the Bold, and heiress to Duchy of Brittany. Married Maximillian, Holy Roman Emperor. |
| Anne of France 1461-1522 | Shrewd and powerful daughter of the 'Spider King' Louis XI who served as regent for her brother. Won Brittany for France, supported Henry Tudor in England. |
Ministers and Regents | |
| Jacques Coeur 1395-1456 | Exceedingly wealthy merchant of Bourges who became a chief advisor, diplomat, and master of the mint during the reign of Charles VII. Eventually disgraced, accused of various crimes, and exiled. |
| George Amboise 1488-1550 | Cardinal from a powerful family . |
| Duke of Guise 1519-1563 | Cousin, supporter, and Chamberlain of Henry II, prominent during the Italian Wars. Recaptured Calais for France. Ardent Catholic and enemy of the Huguenots. |
| Henry of Guise 1550-1588 | Assassinated Coligny in retribution for the murder of his father. Later founded the Catholic League. |
Huguenots | |
1519–1572 |
French protestant military hero who was assassinated at the Massacre of St. Bartholomew. |
1533–1584 |
Hero of the Dutch Revolt. Led resistance to the Inquisition and Spanish tyranny. |
| Jeanne de Albret 1528-1572 | Queen of Navarre, mother of Henry IV, Huguenot leader. Possibly poisoned by Catherine de Medici. |
Martial Heroes and Explorers | |
1476–1524 |
Renowned French knight who was thought to embody the ideals of chivalry. |
1661–1700 |
Invalid King of Spain. Last of the Spanish Hapsburgs. His death precipitated the War of the Spanish Succession. |
1491–1557 |
Discovered the St. Lawrence Seaway and great lakes, while searching for Northwest Passage. |
Saints and Popes | |
1381–1447 |
French Abbess and founder of the Poor Clares. |
1443–1513 |
Renaissance character known as "Warrior Pope" for his defense of the Papal states. Commissioned Michelangelo and Raphael. |
1431–1503 |
Disgraced the office of Pope by appalling behavior, and worldly politicking. |
| Character/Date | Short Biography | |
|---|---|---|
The Three Henries | ||
| Henry III 1551-1589 | Fourth son of Henry II and Catherin de Medici. Quarreled with Henry of Guise, and took the side of Protestant Henry Navarre during "War of the Three Henrys". | |
| Henry IV 1553-1610 | Protestant King of Navarre who ascended to the throne of France after converting to Catholicism. As king issued 'Edict of Nantes' decreeing religious toleration of Huguenots. | |
| Henry of Guise 1550-1588 | Founded the Catholic League to block the throne from Huguenot Henry Navarre. Quarreled with Henry III. | |
Kings of France and England | ||
| Louis XIII 1601-1643 | Reigned for 33 years, but early reign was dominated by Italian 'favorites' of his mother Maria de Medici, and late reign was dominated by Cardinal Richelieu. | |
1638–1715 |
French King who expanded the borders of France, and lived in great pomp and splendor. | |
Queens and Mistresses | ||
1573–1642 |
Queen of Henry IV, and regent following his assassination. | |
| Madame de Montespan 1640-1707 | Notorious mistress of Louis XIV who held great power at court. Brought down by "Affair of the Poisons" with accusations of witchcraft, black magic, and murder. | |
| Madame de Maintenon 1635-1719 | Noblewoman who served as a governess, advisor, and companion of Louis XIV. Married privately after the death of his first wife. | |
Ministers | ||
| Duke of Sully 1560-1641 | Chief advisor and principle minister to Henry IV. Capably handled the nation's finances, and encouraged agriculture, trade, and building of highways and fortifications. | |
1585–1682 |
Very influential Minister of Louis XIII. Consolidated royal power and crushed dissenters. | |
| Cardinal Mazarin 1602-1661 | Minister of France during the early reign of Louis the XIV. Followed the polices of Richelieu. War of the Fronde fought to oppose his administration. | |
1619–1683 |
As minister of Finance, improved France's economy under the extravagant Louis XIV. | |
Martial Heroes | ||
1621–1686 |
Renowned Marshal of France during the age of Louis XVI. Fought in numerous wars including Fronde, thirty years, and Franco-Dutch. | |
1642–1701 |
Naval Commander during War of the Grand Alliance. Defeated British at Barfleur. | |
1611–1675 |
One of the greatest Marshall's of France. Served Louis XIII and XIV, in Thirty Years War, Fronde, and Dutch Wars. | |
Other Influential Persons | ||
1576–1660 |
Parish priest who devoted life to helping the poor. Established home for foundlings. | |
1580–1635 |
Founded French colonies in the St. Lawrence seaway and great lake region. Father of 'New France.' | |
| Character/Date | Short Biography |
|---|---|
Hussite Rebellion | |
1373–1415 |
Initiated a movement based on writings of Wycliffe. Excommunicated, and burned at the stake. |
1361–1419 |
Mentally unstable king of Bohemia best known for allowing execution of Jan Hus and provoking Hussite War. |
1360–1424 |
Leader of the Hussites whose military tactics, were particularly interesting and novel. |
Protestant Leaders | |
1509–1564 |
Protestant Theologian. Influenced French Huguenots, Presbyterian Scots, and English Puritans. |
1483–1546 |
Leader of the Protestant Reformation. Excommunicated by Catholic Church. |
1497–1560 |
Protestant theologian who collaborated with Martin Luther. Served with Luther on the faculty at the University of Wittenberg |
1486–1525 |
Known as the 'Elector of Saxony', a powerful Prince who founded the University of Wittenberg, and supported Luther during his trial for heresy. |
1484–1531 |
Priest who was a critic of the abuses of the Church and an early leader of the Reformation in Zurich, Switzerland. |
1400–1468 |
Invented printing press. Made improvements over many years on types, inks and methods. |
1466–1536 |
Humanist Philosopher and theologian. Befriended Luther, but did not break from the church. |
German Peasant War | |
1489–1525 |
Radical protestant reformer who was a rebel leader during the Peasants War in Germany. |
1480–1562 |
Robber baron who led the peasants uprising in Germany shortly after the protestant reformation. |
Dutch Revolt | |
1533–1584 |
Hero of the Dutch Revolt. Led resistance to the Inquisition and Spanish tyranny. |
1524–1569 |
Admiral of the Dutch Navy. With Egmont, protested Inquisition and was beheaded. |
1522–1568 |
Powerful Noble in Low Countries during Dutch Revolt. Protested Inquisition and was beheaded. |
1567–1625 |
Son of William the Silent and Statholder of the Dtuch Republic after the death of his father. |
1522–1586 |
Half-sister of Philip II of Spain who governed the Netherlands in the early years of the Dutch revolt. |
1545–1592 |
Nephew of Philip III, who governed the Netherlands in the later years of the Dutch revolt. |
Thirty Years War | |
1559–1632 |
One of the two major generals of the HRE imperial forces during the Thirty Years War. |
1583–1634 |
Military leader of the Holy Roman Empire during the Thirty Years War. |
1620–1688 |
Calvinist Duke of Prussia and Elector of Brandenburg who made commercial and domestic reforms and laid the groundwork for the rise of Prussia. |
Hapsburg Emperors | |
1218–1291 |
First Hapsburg to hold throne of Germany. Laid foundations of the Hapsburg Empire. |
1459–1519 |
Romantic and chivalrous Emperor. Added Burgundian Lowlands to the Hapsburg Realm. |
1500–1558 |
16th century Hapsburg Emperor who ruled Austria, the Netherlands, Spain and parts of Italy. |