Christian Europe—Medieval France
1200 to 1380
Saint Louis to Bernard du Guesclin
Era Summary Characters Timeline Reading Assignments
Characters—Medieval 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. |
Timeline—Medieval France
| AD Year | Event |
|---|---|
St. Louis IX and sons: Princes of the Blood | |
| 1226-70 | Louis IX begins 45 year reign. Mother Blanche acts as regent during minority. |
| 1248 | Louis IX leads 7th crusade to Egypt. |
| 1248 | Sainte-Chapelle royal chapel completed in Paris. Later, held relics of the crown of thorns |
| 1266 | Charles of Anjou (youngest son of Louis IX), with aid of Pope, usurps kingdom of Sicily. |
| 1270 | Louis IX dies during failed 8th crusade to Tunisia. |
| 1282 | Sicilian Vespers. Rebels overthrow governor of Sicily, massacre thousands of Frenchmen. |
Philip IV and sons: Fall of the Capets | |
| Reign of Philip the Fair begins. Reigned 30 years, consolidated power, taxed clergy, feuded with Pope. | |
| 1296 | Pope Boniface VIII's bull 'Unam Sanctam' excoriates French king when he attempts to tax the clergy. |
| 1302 | Rebellion in Flanders, 'Matins of Bruges', Battle of the Golden Spurs was Flemish victory. |
| 1303 | 'Outrage of Anagni, death of Pope Boniface VIII |
| 1306-78 | Avignon Papacy: Papal court of Clement V relocated from Rome to Avignon. Remains for 72 years. |
| 1307 | Philip expels Jews from French dominions, Knights Templars order disbanded, leaders arrested. |
| 1314 | Philip IV orders the execution of Jacques de Molay and Knights Templars for heresy. Philip IV and Clement V die soon thereafter. |
| 1314-28 | Within 14 years of the execution of Knights, Philip's three sons die suspiciously, bringing an end to the Capet dynasty. |
| 1316 | Louis X decreed that slaves should be freed, or allowed to purchase their freedom. |
| 1317 | Salic law used to excluded infant daughter of Louis X from throne. Philip V crowned instead. |
End of Capet Dynasty—Beginning of Valois Dynasty | |
Philip VI 'the Fortunate' and Hundred Years War Begins | |
| 1328-50 | Philip VI (the fortunate) succeeds to the throne as first Valois King, but claim disputed (by Edward III. |
| 1328 | Flanders rebels against Philip VI but defeated at the 'Battle of Cassell'. |
| 1339 | Cities of Bruges, Ghent, Ypres rebel against Philip VI, encourage Edward III to claim throne. |
| 1341 | Institution of "Gabelle" permanent salt tax to pay for Wars, based on government monopoly of salt. |
| 1346 | Hundred Years War begins: English Victory at Crecy; Siege of Calais ends in another English Victory. |
| 1349 | French king adds County of Dauphine to his domain. Heir apparent designated 'Dauphin'. |
| 1350 | Black Plague strikes France. Hundreds lost. |
John II 'the Good': Battle of Poitiers and the Captive King | |
| 1350-64 | Reign of John II, second Valois king. Rivals were Charles the Bad, the Black Prince, and Etienne (Stephen) Marcel. |
| 1356 | Charles II of Navarre (the Bad) imprisoned by John II after a quarrel and series of murders. |
| 1356 | Battle of Poitiers: John II and his son taken prisoner by the Black Prince. Begin 'Seven Years of Misery'. |
| 1358 | Jacquerie: Peasant Riots in Paris, Stephen Marcel attempts to open city gates to Charles the Bad, and is murdered. |
| 1360 | Treaty of Bretigny end imprisonment of King. Southwest France granted to English. |
| 1364 | John II voluntarily returns to captivity in England and dies. |
Charles V 'the Wise': France Recovers, Bertrand du Guesclin | |
| 1364-80 | Reign of John II, Second Valois king. |
| 1364 | Du Guesclin wins decisive victory over Charles the Bad on coronation day of Charles V. |
| 1366 | Du Guesclin leads 'Great Companies' in Castilian Civil War (to get them out of France). |
| 1369-70 | Charles V fortifies/provisions French towns and wins back much territory from English. |
| 1370s | Charles V builds the Bastille, expands the Louvre, and other building projects in Paris. |
| 1376 | Death of the Black Prince. Many French nobles had drop allegiance to England. |
| 1378 | Western Schism in Church. 'French Pope' elected and continues to govern from Avignon. |
Recommended Reading—Medieval France
Core Reading Assignments | ||
|---|---|---|
| Guerber - The Story of Old France | Blanche of Castile to Achievements of Charles V (12) | |
| Marshall - A History of France | Hugh De La Marche to Duguesclin Fights for France (14) | |
Supplemental Recommendations | ||
| Macgregor - The Story of France | The Vow of St. Louis to Sir Bertrand du Guesclin (12) | |
| Morris - Historical Tales: French | The Franco-Prussian War to Bertrand du Guesclin (2) | |
| Tappan - When Knights Were Bold | entire book | |
Easy Reading Selections | ||
| Finnemore - France: Peeps at History | House of Capet (cont.) to House of Valois (2) | |
| Evans - Old Time Tales | William Tell, Swiss Patriot to TArnold Winkelried (7) | |
| Haaren - Famous Men of the Middle Ages | Louis the Ninth (1) | |
| Dalkeith - Stories from French History | entire book | |