Capetian France

> disintegration of Carolingian Empire – major successor realms were the East Frankish realm (became kingdom/empire of Germany) & the West Frankish realm (formed basis of later kingdom of France) > Carolingian Emperors ruled West Frankia until the death of Charles ‘the Fat’ in 888 > succeeded by Odo, Count of Paris (first of Robertian dynasty) did not include kingdom of Burgundy (claimed by the German Emperor Conrad II in the 1030s) or region of Lotharingia > from here the crown changed hands periodically (between Carolingians & Robertians) until the death of the last Carolingian king, Louis V in 987 (childless) > he was succeeded by one of the highest-ranking French noblemen, Hugh Capet (‘the Great’) – connected to both dynasties but established his own Capetian dynasty > the period 888-987 was generally not very good (in terms of royal authority): . aristocrats had more power over royal appointments than they had in the 9th century . power of kings over public rights of government (justice, taxation & military levies etc.) weakened BUT the power of dukes & counts increased c. 987: > Capetian power more restricted geographically than the Carolingians had been > strongest authority in north-eastern region of West Frankia (from Paris to Orleans) – known as the ‘Île-deFrance’/‘royal domain’: . royal power here was far from uniform – comprised partly of king’s private demesne states (land farmed for king’s benefit/profit) s. public powers . BUT their control of these powers was fragmented – strongest in some major settlements (Paris & Orleans) & in other regions shared with other counts (& sometimes lesser magnates) . power of the kings was also challenged in this period (directly & sometimes with great force) by castellans – lords seeking to make their castles free of royal control & secure own control of public rights in their localities > outside of royal territory the power of Capetian rulers was stronger to the North & East of River Loire – diminished the further South you went some historians have argued this is due to a ‘feudal revolution’ beginning c. 1000 – a world in which “feudal or noble lordship based on castles, violence & oaths was coming to undermine & replace royal & public government” – Thomas N. Bisson the Church: > emergence of Peace of God Movement in south-west of Frankia (late 10th/early 11th century) – developed further into 11th century to the Peace & Truce of God Movement: . periodic holding of ‘Peace Councils’ (often convened by bishops) of Church officials & local secular aristocrats & sometimes large gatherings of knights/military men . oaths sworn on holy relics at these gatherings – not to attack the Church, noncombatants & crops . the later ‘Truce Councils’ involved an extension of the oaths to ban all fighting on particular days of the week/on religious festivals . the one thing missing from these assemblies was the guiding authority & presiding power of the Capetian kings – Church’s method of dealing with violence that would have been dealt with by the rulers or their agents within the localities during Carolingian period dukes & counts: > power becoming more focused within duchies & counties run by dukes & counts (Normandy, Maine, Flanders, Blois & Champagne etc.) > dukes & counts were often more powerful (practically) than the kings > usually significantly independent from the kings though (some didn’t perform homage/attend court regularly) > often willing to oppose & challenge (as well as ally) with the kings > despite their weaknesses they also enjoy some benefits – able to exploit during this period > as kings (received anointing during coronations) they had a sacred status > notional rulers of the entire realm: . claims to homage, fealty & court attendance (of major dukes & counts) & could exercise jurisdiction & call upon dukes/counts to provide for royal armies & other services . success of these varies with each Capetian king, period & between duchies/counties > attracted a number of major legal cases & disputes at court: . portrayed them as protectors of Church (against challenges from dukes & counts) > support of the Church was a powerful advantage for Capetian kings: . had control over network of (mainly northern) bishoprics, monasteries & some abbeys in West Frankia . could exercise influence over Church by offering protection & confirming the possessions of the churches with royal charters > enjoyed periodic support from the Papacy: . in dynastic policies & military endeavours – papal legitimacy was significant > dukes & counts were often mutually hostile to each other & faced internal opposition, rebellions etc. (William ‘the Conqueror’ faced conflict with his 2 halfbrothers & his own son) > dynastic continuity: . produced generation after generations (sons) to succeed them . instituted practice of associating their sons with their own rulership during their lifetime (sometimes crowned in their own lifetime) – reduce insecurity & turmoil that often accompanied succession to preserve stability for their realm Hugh Capet (987-96) & Robert ‘the Pious’ (996-1031): > their reigns relied on Frankish Church & alliances with particular counts – maintain & consolidate authority > made few lasting political or military achievements – but rather enabled dynasty to survive > operated with limited resources though (especially compared to those of dukes & counts opposing them withing the rest of France) Henry I (1031-60): > began development of Capetian power in the ‘royal domain’/‘royal territory’ – recovered estates there > BUT political & military activity was more restricted/limited than that of Hugh Capet – reflected by location of churches receiving royal charters (very few were located South of the River Loire) > significantly he assisted William ‘the Conqueror’ in 1040s in resisting rebelling barons – by 1050s he had realised William was a threat & shifted political & military tack (against William) > forged alliance with counts of Anjou (rivals of Norman dukes over control of county of Maine) Philip I (1060-1108): > poor reputation in medieval sources (& in modern historiography to some extent): . alienated the Papacy (through his practices of simony & his opposition to Papal Reform Programme) . repudiated his wife, Bertha . increasingly inert & reliant on his son, Louis VI (especially towards the end of his life) > have his achievements & abilities been underestimated? . Siege of Dol & relations with lords of Poitiers (geographical advantage) . relations with Anjou, Flanders & Robert Curthose, Duke of Normandy . policy towards the Vexin (highly contested region between Paris & Rouen) . establishment of powerful magnates of ‘royal territory’ as his court officials – bringing some of his enemies within the governmental fold . compromise over investiture of senior clergymen – Council of Troyes in 1107 (retained the homage of bishops) & consequences of papal support for royal power in this period > the rise of the Capetians is often linked to Philip’s (more famous & successful) son, Louis VI (1108-37) – is his reputation deserved? > already active in government of the realm before his accession – challenged rebellious barons of ‘royal territory’ (Hugh of le Puiset & Thomas of Marle) continued when he was king – warfare with Hugh of le Puiset (1111-18) & with Thomas of Marle (until 1130) > determination for control or destruction of hostile castles within & beyond ‘royal territory’ – construct new royal castles > adept at asserting legal authority of his royal court – warfare against some of his political enemies often followed summons & charges at court (on occasion they would refuse to come & Louis could use justified military methods against them) > considered himself as a defender of the wronged/churches & towns (wealth of which increased in this period so tactical move) & as the prosecutor of the lawless providing peace & justice to his dominions > enhanced the image of the monarchy Suger of St. Denis: > important French Abbot, administrator, diplomat, historian & promoter of Capetian royal authority > leading advisor for Louis VI (from 1127): . helped break administrative control of royal demesne states by Seneschal & Chancellor of the king (Rochefort & Garlande families) . wrote ‘The Deeds of Louis’ – history of Louis’ life & portrayed him as an ideal Christian king (patron/protector of the Church, poor & kingdom) . reconstructed & redecorated St. Denis Abbey (new sections in Gothic-style architecture) – Abbey can be considered as a royal mausoleum > Louis was also aided by good relations with the Papacy beyond the ‘royal territory’: > efforts had mixed results outside the ‘royal domain’/’royal territory’ > long struggle with Henry I of England – Louis defeated by him at battle in Brémule in 1119 . used claims of (Henry’s nephew) William Clito & (his son) Robert Curthose as a weapon against Henry – BUT he failed to establish Clito as Count of Flanders in 1127 > unable to prevent Theobald, Count of Blois from uniting Blois & Champagne (geographical threat to Louis & ‘royal domain’) > was successful in mobilising a French army against Emperor Henry V though (had threatened an invasion of France in 1124) – BUT the response occurred in extraordinary circumstances & was incomplete > occasionally intervened in disputes after appeals to royal authority – in Berry (1108-09) & in Auvergne (1122 & 1126) > notable success in 1137 (shortly before his death) with marriage between his son & successor, Louis VII to Eleanor of Aquitaine (heiress to huge region in Southwest of France) BUT its potential for the dynasty was not fulfilled > continued to provide dynastic stability – several sons & succeeded by eldest, Louis VII in 1137