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Early Modern France

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Posted by Your Guide on May 17, 2006 4:52 PM

When the Carolingian dynasty died out in 987, the Capetian dynasty was established. In 1154 Eleanor of Aquitaine married Henry II of England, placing the western half of France under English control. It was a period of growth, both in population and in real estate, and many of the famous Gothic cathedrals were begun during this time. Louis IX was the 13th century's most famous king, and by his death in 1270, Notre-Dame and the Sainte-Chapelle in Paris had been completed.

During the 14th century, the French kings continued to gain power over the feudal lords. Louis X died without an heir in 1316, opening the door for a new power to emerge. The Valois dynasty answered the call and took over. They inherited a tragic nation, however, because the Black Death swept in 1348, killing an estimated 33% of the population. Paris was particularly hard hit, which prompted the monarchs to escape to the fresh, clean air of the Loire Valley. Many of them built castles than stand today as monuments to this period of French history.

During the Hundred Years' War, the English attempted to take over the throne, and when they were at their most powerful they controlled the northern portion of France. Joan of Arc rallied the French troops to war against the English, but she was eventually declared a heretic and burned at the stake in 1431. Eventually the French drove out the English, only leaving them control of the port city of Calais.

In the 1500s, Protestantism was growing as a result of the Martin Luther led Reformation, and the Catholic Church was threatened. In 1572, Catherine de Médici (from the ruling family of Florence and married to Henry II of the Valois dynasty) ordered the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre, where hundreds of Protestants were killed. After Henry II's death in a joust, Catherine de Medici and her sons Francis II, Charles IX and Henry III ruled the country. Continued conflict led to another massacre of Huguenots (French Protestants) and the beginning of the French Wars of Religion. Henri IV issued the Edict of Nantes in 1598, granting freedom of religion to Protestants in France.

In 1624, Louis XIII appointed a Catholic cardinal, the duc de Richelieu as his chief minister. Richelieu virtually ruled the country until his death in 1642, and his primary objective during his time in office was amassing more and more power for the monarchy. He was successful, laying the foundation for the eventual absolutism rule enjoyed by Louis XIV.

Louis XIV was a powerful monarch. He expanded his territory to include parts of southern France, as well as conquering areas north and east. French colonies in Canada and the American territory of Louisiana were thriving, and the country was booming financially, allowing emphasis on the arts and architecture. Versailles was built as the ultimate monument to excess.



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