Valois is a dynasty of French kings. Its ancestor is the brother of Philip IV the Handsome Charles IV. In this publication, we will talk about the most famous representatives of the Valois house.
Valois family tree
In medieval France, in the region of the province of Ile-de-France, there was a small county of Valois. Since the 10th century, Crepy-en-Valois has become its capital. The county originally belonged to the House of Carolingians and was inherited through the junior line.
In 1285, the land was in the possession of the brother of Philip IV the Handsome - Charles IV. It is he who is considered the founder of the House of Valois.
In 1382, the son of Charles, Philip VI, came to power in France. He had 10 children, of whom only 2 sons and 1 daughter survived. Philip VI's third son John II the Good became King of France in 1350. He ruled the state until 1364. Charles the Wise, one of the most famous kings of medieval France, became his successor.
Valois branches
The Valois dynasty has 7 branches:
- The branch of the Dukes of Alencon - comes from the French commander Charles II. The county of the house of Alençon was located in the south of the country, within the Duchy of Normandy.
- Branch of DukesAnjou - comes from the successor of John II the Good Louis I. This family owned a number of lands outside the state, in particular the Kingdom of Naples. The Angevin branch actually died out in 1480 after the death of René the Good.
- The branch of the Dukes of Berry - comes from the successor of John II the Good, Jean I the Miser. The lands belonging to this family were located in the central part of France (the historical region of Berry with its capital in Bourges). The branch died out in 1461.
- Branch of the Dukes of Burgundy - comes from Philip II the Bold. The kings of the Valois dynasty ruled over the lands of Burgundy from 1363. The territories that belonged to the family expanded significantly thanks to Philip the Bold. He managed to annex 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 Nevers - 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 along with Louis XII. The branch actually died out in 1515.
- The branch of the Dukes of Angouleme - comes from the heir of Louis of Orleans Jean.
Reign of Philip VI
Philip VI ascended the French throne in 1328. The most powerful state of medieval Europe passed into his possession. The first act of the newly elected ruler was the war in Flanders. The French army moved against the communes of this county. Philip VI succeeded in restoring the power of his vassal in FlandersLouis.
Soon there was a new conflict, which then escalated 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 reason for the beginning of the Hundred Years War. The most significant battles of this conflict will be discussed below.
During the life of Philip VI, the French army suffered a serious defeat at Cressy and Calais. The ruler tried to compensate for his military failures by acquiring the cities of Dauphiné and Montpellier.
In 1350 Philip VI died. The French throne passed to his son John II the Good.
The most significant events of the first stage of the Hundred Years' War
Valois is a dynasty whose fate has befallen many troubles. The most serious military-political event that took place during her reign was the Hundred Years War. The conflict lasted 116 years. Consider the most significant battles and events of the first stage of the Hundred Years War that took place during the reign of Philip VI:
- 1340 - the naval battle of Sluys, which ended in the complete defeat of the French fleet.
- 1341-1364 - War of the Breton Succession. A battle broke out between the Counts of Blois and Montfort. However, the conflict was not local. From time to time, the French and British authorities acted on the side of the rivals. Peace was signed only in 1365. Jean de Montfort became the ruler of the Duchy of Brittany.
- 1346 - the capture of the city of Caen in Normandy by the English army.
- 1347 - the defeat of the French in the battle ofKale.
- 1351 - the famous "Fight of the Thirty". This is one of the most remarkable battles of the first stage of the Hundred Years War.
Reign of John the Good
John II the Good entered the history of France as a just and brave ruler. Philip VI's heir came to power in 1350. John actually grew up and matured in the war. That is why, having taken the French throne, the new ruler directed all his efforts to win the Hundred Years War. John II the Good allocated huge sums to restore the army and restore order in the country. It is worth noting that he inherited an unenviable legacy: most of the state was destroyed during the hostilities, significant territories 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. During the operation, John II the Good was captured.
In 1360, the king returned to his homeland, leaving the British as a pledge of his son. A few years later, however, John's successor fled. The king was forced to return to London. Shortly after arriving in England, John II the Good died.
Reign of Charles V the Wise
Charles V the Wise ascended the French throne in 1364. At the beginning of his reign, the young king had to face many difficulties: the army was defeated, the treasury was practically empty, and the lands were devastated for many years.war. In this regard, Charles V began to change the system of government. 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 hostilities between England and France were resumed. Through contracts and bribery, most of the territories of the state were liberated. Only Bayonne and Bordeaux remained in British possession.
Reign of Charles IX
Charles IX is 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 were a protracted conflict between the Catholics, led by the royal family, and the Huguenots (Protestants, followers of John Calvin).
The main event that marked the reign of Charles IX was St. Bartholomew's Night. It resulted in the deaths of thousands of Huguenots in several French cities.
Shortly after Bartholomew's night, in 1574, the king died. His brother Henry III ascended the French throne.
Valois is a dynasty that left a significant mark on the history of France. That is why, speaking of this royal house, one should remember Queen Margot.
The fate of Queen Margo
Marguerite of Valois entered the history of France as Queen Margot. What is remarkable about the fate of this woman?
Marguerite of Valois was the youngest daughter of Catherine de Medici and Henry II. The childhood and youth of the girl fell on a difficult period in French history - the era of religious wars. In 1572, young Margarita was married to one of the leaders of the Protestants, Henry of Bourbon. A magnificent wedding of representatives of rival families ended in the bloodiest event in the history of medieval France - Bartholomew's Night. Marguerite managed to save the life of her husband and several Huguenots. Catherine de Medici offered the girl a divorce from Henry of Navarre, but she refused. A few years later, the marriage was nevertheless annulled by the Pope due to Margaret's childlessness.
