Compared to other European countries France and England had a great impact on entire world specially during colonization period from 16th century. This article is meant for knowing the history of France monarchy so that we can understand their museum, forts, churches and portraits and other heritages.
I remember when in Strasbourg, France in 2006 the way I visited those churches was like pissing into the violin as I was completely ignorant of their historical connections. And for that visit to this historical city of France was like a dream which wipes when we wakeup. A guide in Louvre museum told this original painting of Mona Lisa was brought to France by King Francis I of France. But who knows where Francis I stands in timeline of France history. I saw the portrait of Louis XVI but it was like I visit any photo frame shop in India. I did not know Louis XVI had so great impact on France becoming Republic. To me the guide’s statement was like throwing pearls before the swine.
In view of my past experience I decided to read the history of the country I visit in future so that I can understand its heritage and people behind this, where they stand in timeline and their contribution. This article will help me to REALLY see the heritage and not by bird’s eye.
Traditionally in England and France the passing of throne was strictly to male heirs. If the ruling king died without male heir, either brothers, cousins and in rare cases brother-in-law took over. Only eldest son and his offspring get the throne and brothers of king were limited to Duke or Counts. In all France monarchy only in two cases in timeline was fight among brothers. It is contrary to what we see in Moghul and Rajput empires in India. In British history only we see twice when female took the throne. In France females as a rule were not allowed to take throne unlike India.
On downfall of Western Roman Empire a power vacuum was left and many areas were open to occasional invasions and hegemony among adjoining tribes. Over the time due to feudalism the division of land and labor was seen. This saw a class of landlords who would settle the disputes among peasants and would make some society rules and regulations. They also protected peasants from attacks and hence needed finance in terms of tax from the locals and peasants. These lords were like “regional prince”. The Western province of Europe saw such few landlord powers – Franks Merovingians (481-751), Visigoths (418-711) in South west Europe, Ostrogothic in North Italy later known as Lombard (481-553) and Goths in South east adjacent to Spain North boundary.
In this article we will talk only about the Franks dynasty shown in map in red boundary (greater France) but mainly this article is for monarchial history of France. The local regional landlords lived inside red boundary particularly near adjoining area of North Italy were known as Franks as in Roman scriptures.
Merovingian Dynasty
One such regional power was Merovech who supported Roman Empire against Huna and Slav tribe attacks but after Roman empire weakened in 6th century they were independent. Merovech was founder of Merovingian dynasty which lasted for 300 years from 447 AD. It was one of the first powerful dynasty in West- Central Europe region. His son Childeric I worked with Roman military commander. After him his son Clovis I united almost all Gaul region under Frankish flag. By the 6th century Clovis I Christianized the western Germanic tribe of the Franks. Francia became powerful kingdom and succeeded the Western Roman Empire.
The Merovingian kings were called as “Long hair kings” as they kept long hair to distinguish them from other Franks. Right to heir deprived if he tonsured. There is an interesting anecdote about the killing of three sons of Chlodomer I. After Chlodomer I was killed in a battle, his brothers Childbert I and Clothoire I conspired against his three sons and proposed two options before their mother – Scissors to tonsure to deprive them of throne as tradition of Merovingians or face the sword. Mother chose that her sons can be murdered if they can not reach kingship.
Under Merovingian Childeric II rule (668-674) Wulfoald was Mayor of Palace and a de facto ruler. He subsequently embarked on several wars to expand his power. He united all the Frankish realms by the conquests of Neustria and Burgundy in 687. He increased the power of the Franks by his subjugation of the Alemanni tribes (upper Rhine river adjoining current France and Germany), the Frisians (upper Rhine river, Danube adjoining current Netherlands and Germany), and the Franconian. He was succeeded by Pepin of Herstel.
In 687, Pepin of Herstal, mayor of the palace of Austrasia won almost all Frankish kingdom from Merovingian. The Merovingian kings became rubber stamp. During Merovingian dynasty from Clothaire III (Also called Lothaire) the power of kings started further weakening in favor of Pepins resulting in foundation of Carolingian Dynasty.
Charles Martel, succeeded his father Pepin of Herstel. Most notably, Martel decisively defeated an Umayyad invasion in 711 AD.
In Gibbon’s book “The Decline And Fall Of The Roman Empire” he wonders whether without Charles’ victory, “Perhaps the interpretation of the Koran would now be taught in the schools of Oxford. He came out as savior of Franks against Islamic invasion when already Spain had surrendered.
Charles Martel divided Frankish kingdom among his two sons – Pepin the Short (Pepin II) got Neustria, Burgundy and Provence and Carloman got Austrasia, Alemannia (Germany regions) and Thuringia (adjoining current Czec republic). Carloman became saint and renounced his provinces.
Till now Gaul region was under Merovingian rulers till Charles Martel son of Pepin the Short took over to found Carolingian kingdom.
Carolingian Dynasty
Mayor Pepin the Short became the first of the Carolingians to become king. He framed conspiracy and overthrown Theuderic IV (See Merovingian bloodline above). But he faced resentment from nobles and public. In reply to Pepin the Short letter Pope wrote that Merovingian lineage should be maintained. So Pepin the Short SYMBOLICALLY made Childeric III (Merovingian blood) as king.
Pepin the Short died in 768 and was succeeded by his sons Charlemagne (शार्लमाँ) and Carloman I. After death of his brother Carloman I, Charlemagne became the sole ruler. Although unquestionably one of the most powerful and successful rulers of his time, Pepin the Short reign is largely overshadowed by that of his more famous son, Charlemagne (शार्लमाँ) who established great Frankish Empire comprising of current France plus North Italy, Belgium, most part of Switzerland and Germany.
This West Francia later reduced to current France.
Capetian dynasty
Hugh Capet is the founder and first king from the House of Capet. He was elected as Frankish king as Louis V was heirless and Hugh Capet was descendent through Louis I, the Pious of Carolingian dynasty. Capetian dynasty laid the foundation of France as a nation. They ruled France for about thousand years.
Capetian royal generation still rule in some European countries such as in Spain and Luxemburg. One Capetian king royal offspring Alphanso Gonsolve still claims the kingship of France. More than a dozen royal representatives exist in Portugal, Brazil etc.
House of Valois
Valois Dynasty (1328 to 1589) ruled for about 260 years from the end of the feudal period into the early modern age. The Valois kings continued the work of unifying France and centralizing royal power continuing the work of their predecessors, the Capetian dynasty. The early kings of the Valois dynasty were occupied primarily with fighting the Hundred Years’ War (1337–1453), which broke out under Philip VI (reigned 1328–50). The end of Hundred years war with England and victory of Valois king Charles VII, the Victorious is an important event in history of France which filled the French with feeling of Nationhood. Also Francis I is remembered for cultural renaissance that he worked for development of French language and patronized art and culture. He brought the original Mona Lisa from Italy to France museum.
House of Bourbon
As we know Henry III had allowed freedom of worship to Calvinism (Huguenots) and so Catholics were angry with him. A catholic fanatic murdered him.
It seems on death of Henry III an extreme joy flowed in streets, people celebrating. Since Henry III died without heir the next claim was made in form of Henry IV who belonged to another Capetian branch called Bourbon as it was born of Louis I who was son of King Louis IX. It is irony of fate that Henry IV was also murdered by a Catholic fanatic.
Kings of House of Bourbon saw the war of religion, revolt against the monarchy and feudalism in form of French 1st revolution due to increase in food prices, unemployment and also some section of people were against the tolerance for Huguenots. Napoleon Bonaparte supported the revolution and advocated equality before law, feudalism. He supported end of monarchy. He was elected as Emperor of France but his decision of battle against Prussia proved his debacle.
France Monarchy after 1830
Epilogue
A long awaited was this subject for me. In fact before reading English monarchy I should have read French monarchy. But I did reverse as I was not aware from where to start. This article is like a flow chart highlighting important events from 400 AD till France abdicated monarchy in 1870 and became republic. This article is for knowing the nerve of past of France specially for tourists and inquisitives. This complete article will help you to explore more and more in understanding France.
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