France and England significantly influenced the world, particularly during the colonization era that began in the 16th century, in comparison to other European nations. This article aims to explore the history of the French monarchy, which will enhance our understanding of their museums, forts, churches, portraits, and other cultural legacies.
Back in 2006, when I visited Strasbourg, France, I explored its historic churches without truly understanding their significance—it was as if I were was like pissing into the violin. That trip to this remarkable city felt like a fleeting dream, vanishing the moment as I woke up.
At the Louvre, a guide mentioned that the original Mona Lisa was brought to France by King Francis I. But at the time, I had no real sense of where Francis I fit into the grand timeline of French history. When I saw a portrait of Louis XVI, it felt no different from browsing through framed pictures in a shop in India—I had no idea how pivotal he was in France’s transition to a republic. The guide’s insights, in my ignorance, were like pearls cast before 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 assist me in truly appreciating the heritage, rather than merely observing it from a superficial perspective.
Historically, in England and France, the succession to the throne was exclusively reserved for male heirs. In instances where a reigning king passed away without a male successor, the throne would typically be inherited by brothers, cousins, or, in rare circumstances, a brother-in-law. Only the eldest son and his descendants were entitled to the throne, while the king’s brothers were relegated to titles such as Duke or Count. Throughout the history of the French monarchy, there were only two notable instances of conflict among brothers regarding succession. This stands in stark contrast to the practices observed in the Mughal and Rajput empires in India. In British history, there are only two recorded occasions when a woman ascended to the throne. Conversely, in France, women were generally prohibited from inheriting the throne, unlike in India.
With the decline of the Western Roman Empire, a power vacuum emerged, leading to increased vulnerability to invasions and the dominance of neighboring tribes. Over time, the rise of feudalism resulted in a clear division of land and labor. This development gave rise to a class of landlords who resolved disputes among peasants and established societal rules and regulations. Additionally, these landlords provided protection to the peasants against external threats, necessitating financial support in the form of taxes from the local populace. These lords functioned similarly to “regional princes.” In Western Europe, several landlord powers emerged, including the Franks under the Merovingians (481-751), the Visigoths in southwestern Europe (418-711), the Ostrogoths in northern Italy, later known as the Lombards (481-553), and the Goths in the southeastern regions adjacent to the northern boundary of Spain.
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 notable regional power was Merovech, who aided the Roman Empire in its struggles against the Huna and Slavic tribes. However, following the decline of the Roman Empire in the 6th century, Merovech’s realm gained independence. He established the Merovingian dynasty, which endured for 300 years, beginning in 447 AD. This dynasty was among the earliest influential ruling families in the West-Central European region. His son, Childeric I, collaborated with a Roman military commander, and subsequently, his son Clovis I succeeded in uniting nearly the entire Gaul region under the Frankish banner. By the 6th century, Clovis I had also converted the western Germanic tribe of the Franks to Christianity. As a result, Francia emerged as a formidable kingdom, effectively succeeding the Western Roman Empire.
The Merovingian kings were referred to as the “Long Hair Kings” due to their distinctive long hair, which set them apart from other Frankish leaders. According to tradition, a potential heir would lose his claim to the throne if he chose to be tonsured. An intriguing story involves the fate of the three sons of Chlodomer I. Following Chlodomer I’s death in battle, his brothers, Childbert I and Clothoire I, plotted against the young princes. They presented their mother with two grim choices: allow her sons to be tonsured, thereby forfeiting their right to the throne as per Merovingian custom, or face execution. Mother chose that her sons murders over tonsure.
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. This long war intermittent and began for claims of territories and issue of succession by Edward III to throne of France. Also Francis I (1518-1547) 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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