History of French Kings of the Valois Reign with Biographies

The end of the middle ages saw Philip VI of Valois come to power on the death of Capetian Philip V without a son to succeed him. Although Salic Law had been accepted in France, it was not accepted by Queen Isabella of England, Philip V's sister. She argued that her son (Edward II England) who was a direct descendant of Philip the Fair should succeed. The French maintained that the crown could not pass through a woman. This disagreement led to the "Hundred Years' War," which ended with the selfless bravery of Joan of Arc. Born in 1412, at 13 she believed that voices of saints called her to go to France, raise the siege of Orleans and lead Charles (VII) to Reims to be crowned. She was received by Charles in 1429 and did lead his army in the defeat of England. In less than 6 months Charles was crowned. In a subsequent campaign, Joan of Arc was captured. Deserted by Charles, she was handed over to the English who had her tried, convicted and burned at the stake. The sentence was overturned and she was sainted in 1920 (feast day May 30). Rightfully, she is probably second only to Napoleon in her place in French history, and first in the hearts of the French people. Valois highlight of the Renaissance is King Francis I, patron of the arts (including Leonardo da Vinci), builder of Chambord, Blois and Saint-Germain (Valois Architecture), contemporary of Henry VIII of England & Emperor Charles V, and first absolute monarch. The dynasty ended in a similar way to the Capetian line. Henry II and Catherine de Medici had 3 sons who wore the crown: Francis II, Charles IX and Henry III, but all of whom died without leaving a son. Ravaged by religious wars and the Saint Bartholomew's Massacre, France was left to the capable Henry IV, the first Bourbon.

Philip VI of Valois (1328-1350)

John II "The Good" (1350-1364)

Charles V "The Wise" (1364-1380)

Charles VI "The Mad" (1380-1422) and Isabeau of Bavaria

Charles VII "The Well-Served" (1422-1461) and Mary of Anjou

Louis XI (1461-1483) & Charlotte of Savoy

Charles VIII (1483-1498) and Anne of Brittany

Louis XII (1498-1515) and Saint Joan of Valois and Anne of Brittany

Francis I (1515-1547) and Claude of France and Eleanor of Austria

Henry II (1547-1559) and Catherine de Medici

Francis II (1559-1560) and Mary Stuart

Charles IX (1560-1574)

Henry III (1574-1589)

Go to:

• Henry IV to Louis XIII

• Bookstore Directory for other periods.

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