The Capetian dynasty began with the reign of Hugh Capet in 987. This line of new sovereigns, succeeding from father to son, departs from the old feudal system to establish a monarchical system. In order to assert their power, the monarchs have the support of the Catholic Church. They reconsidered the organization of the kingdom through the involvement of advisers, improved administrative management, and the creation of the Estates-General. The direct Capetian line reigned for 300 years.
In 1328, the death of Charles IV marked a succession crisis. This marks the beginning of the reign of the indirect Capetian line. The House of Valois ascends to the throne with Philip VI. A significant conflict ensues with England: the Hundred Years’ War. The Valois, powerful and reform-minded monarchs, led the Kingdom of France for nearly 250 years.
Upon the extinction of the line, the House of Bourbon, starting with Henry IV in 1589, succeeded them. With an interruption during the French Revolution and the reign of Napoleon Bonaparte, the Capetians ruled until 1848, spanning over 800 years.
—>The Capetian Dynasty worked to centralize power by gradually weakening the influence of feudal lords, establishing royal courts, and implementing administrative reforms to strengthen the authority of the French monarchy.
Who Was Hugh Capet Who Gave His Name to the Capetians?
Hugh Capet, born around 939–941, is the son of Hugh the Great and Hedwig of Saxony. He has Ottonian descent through his mother and Robertian descent through his father. Upon his father’s death in 956, he inherits significant heritage and power. In 987, the young king of the Franks, Louis V, died without an heir after a horseback fall. The last of the Carolingians, his uncle Charles of Lorraine, is excluded from the succession, and the kingdom’s nobles elect Hugh Capet as the first king of the Capetian dynasty.
On July 3, 987, with the support of the Church, Hugh Capet became king. The coronation takes place in Reims under Archbishop Adalberon. Hugh Capet’s reign marks a major shift in governance, adopting a monarchical system over the previous feudal structure.
The accession to the throne becomes a hereditary right for male heirs. Elections involving the nobility become mere formalities. In contrast to the periods of the Merovingians and Carolingians, there is now a single, unique king from the Capetian dynasty onward.
Who Was Charles IV of France, the Last Direct Capetian?
The son of Philip the Fair and Joan of Navarre, Charles IV (or Charles the Fair), ascended to the throne of France in 1322. His reign lasted only six years before he succumbed to illness. He is the last king in the direct line of the Capetians. His death triggered a severe succession crisis, as he had no male heir. About thirty years later, French jurists invoked the Salic Law to justify the succession of the Capetian kings.
According to the will of Charles the Fair, Philip of Valois was to become the king of France. This nephew of Philip the Fair had already been chosen as the regent. However, there were other claimants, including Philip of Evreux, the King of Navarre, and Edward III, the King of England. Due to an affiliation or kinship through a female line, their candidacy was rejected under the Salic Law.
Edward III contested the decision, leading to a conflict that would evolve into the Hundred Years’ War, lasting over 116 years, between the kingdoms of France and England.
How Did The Capetian Kings Impose Their Royal Power?
The early kings of the Capetian dynasty were regarded as weak rulers. This can be attributed, in part, to a limited royal domain that extended from Paris to Orléans. Furthermore, the lords held considerable power, considering themselves masters of their fiefs without being accountable to any higher authority. This trend persisted from the 10th to the 12th centuries.
To assert their authority over defiant lords, the Capetian kings associated their power with that of God through coronation. The lords were obligated to attend the ceremony, and their mere presence signified their recognition of the king’s authority and power. In other words, the legitimacy of the Capetian dynasty was established through the support of the Catholic Church.
As for the royal domain, it expanded. Any lord refusing to pledge allegiance to the king faced confiscation of their lands. The Capetians did not hesitate to confront rebellious lords militarily, redeem lands from vassals, or form lordly alliances to reclaim coveted lands through inheritance rights.
The power of the Capetians also stemmed from the adoption of a monarchical rather than a feudal system. The presence of advisors around the king significantly improved the administration of the kingdom. They were also responsible for the establishment of the Estates-General.
Numerous Capetian monarchs embodied this newfound power. Philip Augustus, for instance, asserted his authority over the feudal hierarchy and expanded territorial conquests. The reign of Philip the Fair marked unprecedented prosperity and economic power.
Louis IX (or Saint Louis) was a reformer who introduced the presumption of innocence and royal justice while prohibiting acts of revenge and ordeal. He also initiated the 7th and 8th crusades. Charles VII mastered the revolt of feudal lords and restored a faltering economy by implementing a permanent tax.
What’s the Difference Between Direct and Indirect Lineage?
The direct line of the Capetians refers to the kings who reigned from father to son. This period spans from 987, the reign of Hugh Capet, until 1328, the death of Charles the Fair. Indeed, all male descendants of Philip the Fair became extinct from 1314 to 1328. Following this succession crisis, the indirect line of the Capetians ascends to the throne of France, known as the Valois. This house also descends from Hugh Capet. However, Philip VI (or Philip of Valois) is the son of Charles of Valois, who was not a sovereign but the brother and son of a king.
Philip VI of Valois’ accession to the throne is subject to numerous controversies. The most significant dispute comes from Edward III of England, who rejected the appointment of a Valois to the French crown. The British sovereign uses this pretext to satisfy his territorial ambitions. A decade later, the Hundred Years’ War erupted. Among the notable kings of the Valois line, we can mention Francis I, Louis XI, and Henry II.
The indirect line of the Capetians also includes the house of Bourbon, whose lineage traces back to Robert of France, the last son of Louis IX. Among the notable kings of this line, attention can be given to Henry IV, who ended the French Wars of Religion, destabilizing the Kingdom of France.
The Bourbons are credited with consolidating absolute monarchy, particularly through the policies of Louis XIII. The reign of Louis XIV was also pivotal in French history. Louis-Philippe was the last Bourbon to ascend the throne during the July Monarchy.
—>The Capetians were succeeded by the Valois Dynasty. The Valois kings continued the rule of the French monarchy after the last Capetian king, Charles IV, died without a male heir.
List of Capetian Kings
Here is a list of the direct line of Capetian kings, along with their dates of birth and death:
- Hugh Capet (939-941 – 996);
- Robert II the Pious (972 – 1031);
- Henry I (1008 – 1060);
- Philip I (1052 – 1108);
- Louis VI the Fat (1081 – 1137);
- Louis VII the Young (1120 – 1180);
- Philip II Augustus (1165 – 1223);
- Louis VIII the Lion (1187 – 1226);
- Louis IX (Saint Louis) (1214 — 1270);
- Philip III the Bold (1245 – 1285);
- Philip IV the Fair or Philip IV of France (1268 – 1314);
- Louis X the Headstrong (1289 – 1316);
- John I the Posthumous (1316 – 1316);
- Philip V the Tall (1293 – 1322);
- Charles IV the Fair (1294 – 1328).
The list of Capetian kings from the indirect line of the Valois:
- Philip VI of Valois (1293 – 1350);
- John II the Good (1319 – 1364);
- Charles V the Wise (1338 – 1380);
- Charles VI the Mad (1368 – 1422);
- Charles VII the Victorious (1403 – 1461);
- Louis XI of France (1423 – 1483);
- Charles VIII the Affable (1470 – 1498);
- Louis XII (1462 – 1515);
- Francis I (1494 – 1547);
- Henry II (1519 – 1559);
- Francis II (1544 – 1560);
- Charles IX (1550 – 1574);
- Henry III (1551 – 1589).
The list of Capetian kings from the indirect line of the Bourbons:
- Henry IV the Great (1553 – 1610);
- Louis XIII the Just (1601 – 1643);
- Louis XIV, the Sun King (1638 – 1715);
- Louis XV (1710 – 1774);
- Louis XVI (1754 – 1793);
- Louis XVIII (1755 – 1824);
- Charles X (1757 – 1836);
- Louis-Philippe I (1773 – 1850).
Chronology of the Capetian Dynasty
July 3, 987 — Coronation of Hugh Capet
After his coronation in Reims by Archbishop Adalberon, Hugh Capet became the king of France. He is the first sovereign of a new royal dynasty: the Capetians. The direct lineage reigned over the Kingdom of France for 300 years.
October 24, 996 — Death of Hugh Capet
Near the Abbey of Saint-Martin de Tours, Hugh Capet died in 996 at the age of 55. He ruled over the Kingdom of France for just over nine years. Thanks to primogeniture, his son Robert the Pious inherits the throne.
July 20, 1031 — Death of Robert II the Pious
King of France Robert II the Pious died in Melun at the age of 61. Son of Hugh Capet, he is the second Capetian king of France. His 35-year reign was marked by the annexation of Burgundy. Robert II is buried next to his father in front of the altar of the Trinity in the Basilica of Saint-Denis. His son, Henry I, succeeds him.
November 1, 1179 — Coronation of Philip Augustus
Supervised by the Archbishop of Reims, William of Champagne, the coronation of Philip II Augustus (Philip II of France) takes place at Reims Cathedral. He is the first sovereign in history to bear the title of King of France.
July 1223 — Death of Philip II Augustus (Philip II of France)
After a reign of 43 years, Philip II Augustus died at the age of 58 from a prolonged fever. He is transported to Saint-Denis, where a new royal ceremony is adopted for his funeral. Then Louis VIII, his son, ascends to the throne.
November 29, 1226 — Coronation of Louis IX
Louis IX ascended to the throne of France after the death of his father, Louis VIII. His early reign was under the regency of his mother, Blanche of Castile. His reign was marked by two crusades and numerous reforms.
August 25, 1270 — Saint Louis Dies in Tunis
During the 8th Crusade, Louis IX died of dysentery. In his 44 years of reign, he established the image of a reformist, just, and pious sovereign, leading to his canonization by the Catholic Church in 1297.
January 6, 1286 — Coronation of Philip IV the Fair
The new king of France received the anointing at Reims at the age of 18. He will reign for 29 years. Through his marriage to Joan of Navarre in 1305, he became King of France and Navarre.
November 29, 1314 — Death of Philip the Fair
Philip the Fair dies after a horse falls. It is unclear whether it was an accident or an illness. He dies in Fontainebleau after a nearly thirty-year reign. Louis X, his son, ascended the throne but died prematurely at the age of 27.
January 3, 1322 — Death of Philip V
After five and a half years of reign, King Philip V the Long died at 28. He has no male heir. Married to Joan of Burgundy, he has only four daughters. Therefore, his brother Charles IV the Fair succeeded him as King of France and Navarre.
February 1, 1328 — Death of Charles IV the Fair
Charles IV died without a male heir to the throne. The direct line of the Capetians was extinguished, leading to a succession crisis that triggered the Hundred Years’ War.
April 8, 1364 — Death of John II the Good
John II the Good died while in England, negotiating a peace agreement with Edward III. He was 45 years old. His son, Charles V, known as “the Wise,” became the King of France.
September 12, 1494 — Birth of Francis I
The son of Charles de Valois, Francis I, was born in Cognac. He ascends to the throne at the age of 19. Nicknamed the “Father and Restorer of Letters,” he initiated numerous cultural and architectural projects, such as the construction of Chambord Castle.
January 8, 1499 — Marriage of Louis XII and Anne of Brittany
King Louis XII of France married Anne of Brittany, the widow of Charles VIII. Despite this, his wife’s duchy remains independent. Brittany was eventually annexed to France in 1532.
January 1, 1515 — Death of Louis XII
At the age of 53, Louis XII died due to medical complications. With no male heir, after being buried alongside Anne of Brittany, Francis I succeeded him to the throne of France.
January 25, 1515 — Coronation of Francis I
Following the death of his cousin Louis XII, Francis I became the King of France. The coronation ceremony takes place in Reims. In the Capetian dynasty, he belonged to the Valois—Angoulême line.
March 31, 1519 — Birth of Henry II
Henry II, son of Queen Claude of France and King Francis I, was born in Saint-Germain-en-Laye. From his childhood, he held the title of Duke of Orleans. He ascended to the throne in 1547.
March 31, 1547 — Death of Francis I
At Rambouillet Castle, Francis I died of septicemia at the age of 52. His funeral lasted for two months. He is then buried at the Royal Abbey of Saint-Denis. His son, Henry II, succeeds him.
September 19, 1551 — Birth of Henry III
Born Alexandre Edouard, Henry III is the son of Catherine de’ Medici and Henry II. Although he became the King of Poland in 1573, he assumed the responsibilities of the throne of France after the death of his brother, Charles IX.
July 10, 1559 — Death of Henry II
During a knightly tournament, Henry II is seriously wounded in the eye. He receives care from the surgeon, Ambroise Paré. However, the King of France died at the age of 40. He was buried on August 13, 1559, in Saint-Denis.
February 13, 1575 — Coronation of Henry III
As King of Poland, Henry III learned of the death of his brother Charles IX on May 30, 1574. During his return journey, Catherine de’ Medici ensures the regency. Henry III was then crowned King of France in Reims.
August 1, 1589 — Assassination of Henry III
Fanatical monk Jacques Clément assassinates Henry III. Before dying, he designated Henry of Navarre as his successor to the throne of France. The latter became Henry IV, marking the beginning of the Bourbon dynasty’s rule.
August 18, 1572 — Marriage of Henry of Navarre and Queen Margot
The marriage between Henry IV and Marguerite de Valois (Queen Margot) is arranged to reconcile Catholics and Protestants. However, the Wars of Religion continued, notably with the St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre.
July 25, 1593 — Henry IV Converts
Henry IV converted to Catholicism, abandoning his Protestant faith. On February 27, 1594, he was crowned King of France in a ceremony in Chartres. He is the first sovereign of the indirect Bourbon lineage.
February 27, 1594 — Coronation of Henry IV
Chartres Cathedral is the site of the coronation of Henry of Navarre as King of France. He cannot go to Reims, as the city is under the authority of the Guise. In 1595, Henry IV received absolution from the pope.
September 27, 1601 — Birth of Louis XIII
Son of Henry IV and Marie de’ Medici, Louis XIII is born in Fontainebleau. He was only 9 years old when his father was assassinated in 1610. Marie de’ Medici became the regent of the Kingdom of France.
May 14, 1610 — Assassination of Henry IV by Ravaillac
François Ravaillac assassinated Henry IV while the latter was traveling through the streets of Paris. Subsequently, Ravaillac was sentenced to be torn apart, and the execution took place at the Place de Grève in Paris.
November 28, 1615 — Marriage of Louis XIII and Anne of Austria
Following the agreements of Fontainebleau on August 22, 1612, Louis XIII married Anne of Austria. The ceremony takes place in Bordeaux when the young spouses are 14 years old. This union gave birth to Louis XIV.
November 11, 1630 — Day of the Dupes
Following a disagreement between Cardinal Richelieu and Marie de’ Medici, Louis XIII removed his mother from power. The King of France retains the services of the cardinal, while the queen mother goes to the Château de Compiègne.
September 5, 1638 — Birth of Louis XIV
Louis XIV was born in 1638 in Saint-Germain-en-Laye. The future sovereign of France was only 5 years old when his father died in 1643. Anne of Austria becomes the regent of the kingdom, while Cardinal Mazarin oversees the education of Louis XIV.
June 9, 1660 — Louis XIV Marries Marie Theresa
Louis XIV marries Marie Theresa of Austria. The ceremony takes place in Saint-Jean-de-Luz, in Aquitaine. This marriage helped establish a temporary peace between the Bourbon and Habsburg dynasties.
October 9, 1683 — Louis XIV Marries Madame de Maintenon
After the death of his wife, Louis XIV married Françoise d’Aubigné. She is responsible for the creation of a school for noble and unfortunate girls at Saint-Cyr.
February 15, 1710 — Birth of Louis XV
Louis XV was born in 1710 in Versailles. At the age of 15, he became the King of France. Philippe d’Orléans is designated to ensure the regency of the Kingdom of France. He held this position until 1723.
February 18, 1712 — Death of the Dauphin Louis of France
The grandson of King Louis XIV, heir to the throne since the death of his father on April 14, 1711, died in Versailles, struck by smallpox. At two years old, his son, the future Louis XV, becomes the Dauphin in turn. He will ascend to the throne of France three years later.
September 1, 1715 — The Sun King Dies
At the age of 76, Louis XIV dies of gangrene at the Château de Versailles. His reign (nearly 72 years) is considered one of the longest in the history of France. He is buried at the Basilica of Saint-Denis.
August 23, 1754 — Birth of Louis XVI
Born Louis-Auguste, Louis XVI was born in 1754 at Versailles. He holds the title of Duke of Berry. At the age of 11, he loses his father, Louis de France. He became the King of France in 1774. He was the last sovereign before the French Revolution.
May 16, 1770 — Louis XVI Marries Marie Antoinette
In 1770, Louis XVI married Marie Antoinette, respectively, at the ages of 16 and 14. The main goal of this marriage was to consolidate the alliance between the Kingdom of France and the Austrian Empire.
May 10, 1774 — Death of Louis XV
In 1774, Louis XV died of smallpox at Versailles. He is 69 years old. His reign is essentially marked by his contribution to the arts, culture, and philosophy. However, he does not modernize the country.
May 10, 1774 — Louis XVI, King of France
Louis XVI became the King of France in 1774. He is credited with the cahiers de doléances, which allowed the people to express their grievances. However, he faces an unprecedented economic crisis.
June 11, 1775 — Coronation of Louis XVI
Monseigneur de La Roche-Aymon, Archbishop of Reims, crowns Louis XVI as the King of France. The ceremony takes place at Reims Cathedral. The reign of the sovereign is expected to last for fourteen years.
November 17, 1755 — Birth of Louis XVIII
Louis XVIII was born in 1755. His brother, Louis XVI, was guillotined during the French Revolution. During the period of the Restoration, he was made king of France in 1814. He died in 1824 without leaving any descendants.
October 9, 1757 — Birth of Charles X
Brother of Louis XVI and Louis XVIII, Charles X was born in 1757 in Versailles. He became the King of France in 1827, after the death of Louis XVIII. The July Revolution of 1830 removed him from power. He died on November 6, 1836, in Austria.
September 16, 1824 — Death of Louis XVIII
Affected by infectious gangrene in the legs, Louis XVIII died on September 16, 1824. Charles X, his brother, succeeded him on the throne of France. However, he reigned for only six years before the July Revolution of 1830.
May 29, 1825 — Charles X Crowned in Reims
The coronation of Charles X took place in 1825 at the Cathedral of Reims. His reign is marked by several attempts to return to the absolute monarchy. He was forced to abdicate in 1830 and went into exile in Austria.
November 6, 1836 — Death of Charles X
While staying at the monastery of Gorizia in Slovenia, Charles X died of cholera in 1836. He was 79 years old. He is then buried under the Church of the Annunciation in Kostanjevica, also located in Slovenia.
