Valois (dynasty). History of France

Valois is a dynasty of French kings. Her ancestor is the brother of Philip IV the Beautiful Charles IV. In this publication, we will talk about the most famous representatives of the house of Valois.

Genealogical tree of Valois

In medieval France in the province of Ile-de-France was located a small county of Valois. Since X century, its capital was the city of Crepy-en-Valois. Initially, the county belonged to the house of the Carolingians and was inherited on the younger line.

In 1285, the land was in the possession of his brother Philip IV the Beautiful - Charles IV. It is he who is considered the founder of the house of Valois.

In 1382 Charles's son Philip VI came to power in France. He had 10 children, of whom only 2 sons and 1 daughter survived. The third son of Philip VI John II Good became king of France in 1350. He ruled the state in 1364. His successor was Karl the Wise - one of the most famous kings of medieval France.

The branches of the dynasty of Valois

The Valois dynasty has 7 branches:

• The branch of the Dukes of Alanson - comes from the French military leader Charles II. The county of Alencon's house was located in the south of the country, within the Duchy of Normandy.
• The branch of the Dukes of Anjou is derived from the successor of John II of Good Louis I. In the possession of this family there were a number of lands outside the state, in particular the Neapolitan kingdom. The Anjou branch actually faded in 1480 after the death of René Dobroi.
• The branch of the Dukes of Berry - comes from the successor of John II of Good Jean I Mean. The land belonging to this family was located in the central part of France (the historic area of Berry with its capital in Bourges). The branch faded in 1461.
• The branch of the dukes of Burgundy - comes from Philip II the Bold. The kings of the Valois dynasty ruled the lands of Burgundy since 1363. Territories belonging to the family, significantly expanded due to Philip the Bold. He succeeded in annexing the counties of Artois, Rethel, Flanders and other areas.
• The branch of the Dukes of Brabant - founded by the older generation of the heirs of Philip the Bold. It died out in 1430.
• The branch of the Dukes of Neversk was founded in 1401.
• The branch of the Dukes of Orleans is the most famous family of the house of Valois. The dynasty ascended the throne together with Louis XII. The branch actually faded in 1515.
• The branch of the Dukes of Angouleme is derived from the heir of Louis of Orleans Jean.

The Board of Philip VI

Philip VI ascended the French throne in 1328. In his possession passed the most powerful state of medieval Europe. The first thing the newly elected ruler was the war in Flanders. The French army opposed the communes of this county. Philip VI managed to restore the power of his vassal Louis in Flanders.

Soon there was a new conflict, which then developed into a long war. During the reign of Philip VI, Edward III put forward his claims to the throne of France. In 1337, he captured one Flemish island. This event was the beginning of the Hundred Years' War. About the most significant battles of this conflict, we will discuss further.

During the life of Philip VI the French army suffered a serious defeat at Cressi and Calais. His ruler tried to compensate for his military failures by the acquisition of the cities Dauphine and Montpellier.

In 1350 Philip VI died. The French throne passed to his son John II Good.

The most significant events of the first stage of the Hundred Years War

Valois - a dynasty, the fate of which fell many troubles. The Hundred Years War was the most serious military and political event that occurred during her reign. The conflict lasted 116 years. Consider the most significant battles and events of the first phase of the Hundred Years' War that occurred during the reign of Philip VI:

• 1340 - sea battle at Sleis, which ended in complete defeat of the French fleet.
• 1341-1364 - the war for the Breton heritage. The battle broke out between the columns of Blois and Montfort. However, the conflict was not local. On the side of rivals, from time to time, the French and British authorities spoke. The world was signed only in 1365. The ruler of the duchy of Brittany became Jean de Montfort.
• 1346 year - capture by the British army of the city of Caen in Normandy.
• 1347 year - the defeat of the French at the Battle of Calais.
• 1351 year - the famous "Fight of the Thirty". This is one of the most remarkable battles of the first phase of the Hundred Years War.

Board of John II Good

John II Good entered the history of France as a just and brave ruler. The heir to Philip VI came to power in 1350. John actually grew up and grew up in the war. That is why, having occupied the French throne, the new ruler directed all efforts to victory in the Hundred Years' War. John II Kindly allocated huge sums for the restoration of the army and the establishment of order in the country. It is worth noting that the inheritance went to him unenviable: most of the state was destroyed in the course of military operations, significant areas were under the control of the British, and the army was completely weakened.

In 1355, England resumed the war against France. The son of Edward III, who was called the Black Prince, invaded the territory of the enemy. In 1356 the French army suffered a crushing defeat at the Battle of Poitiers. In the course of the operation, John II Kind was captured.

In 1360, the king returned to his homeland, leaving the British as a pledge of his son. However, a few years later, John's successor fled. The king was forced to return to London. Shortly after his arrival in England, John the Good died.

The reign of Charles V the Wise

Charles V Wise ascended the French throne in 1364. At the beginning of the reign, the young king had to face many difficulties: the army was defeated, the treasury was practically empty, and the lands were devastated by a long war. In this regard, Charles V began to change the system of public administration. The essence of his reforms was the decentralization of power and the introduction of a system of long-term taxes. Thanks to innovations in the field of taxation, it was possible to restore the power of the French army.

In 1368, military actions between Britain and France were resumed. By means of contracts and bribery, most of the state's territories were liberated. In the possession of the British there were only Bayonne and Bordeaux.

The reign of Charles IX

Charles IX - the penultimate ruler of the French state from the Valois dynasty. Son of Catherine de Medici and Henry II. The reign of Charles IX entered the history of France as an era of religious wars. They represented a protracted conflict between Catholics, led by the royal family and the Huguenots (Protestants, followers of Jean Calvin).

The main event, which marked the reign of Charles IX, was the St. Bartholomew's Night. It led to the death of thousands of Huguenots in several French cities.

Shortly after the St. Bartholomew's Night, in 1574, the king died. His brother Henry III ascended the throne.

Valois is a dynasty, which left a significant mark in the history of France. That's why, speaking of this royal house, we should remember Queen Margo.

The fate of Queen Margo

Marguerite Valois went down in the history of France as Queen Margot. What is remarkable about the fate of this woman?

Marguerite Valois was the youngest daughter of Catherine de Medici and Henry II. Childhood and youth of the girl fell on a difficult period of French history - the era of religious wars. In 1572 the young Marguerite was married to one of the leaders of Protestants - Henry Bourbon. The magnificent wedding of representatives of rival families ended with the most bloody event in the history of medieval France - Bartholomew's Night. Margarita managed to save the life of her husband and several Huguenots. Ekaterina Medici suggested that the girl divorce Henry of Navarre, but she refused. A few years later, the marriage was still terminated by the pope because of the childlessness of Margarita.