A brief historical past of the rulers of France | EUROtoday

Confused in regards to the timeline of those that dominated France? All these King Louis’? The Gauls who have been as robust as previous boots in order that that when the Romans arrived, they determined to be associates as an alternative of problem their enemy to battle as they often did. The Vandals, the Visigoths and the Vikings. The Merovingians, the Franks, the Carolingians, the Bourbons. In this quick historical past of the rulers of France, we’ll share essentially the most fascinating information…

A brief historical past of the rulers of France

We’re beginning with the Gauls within the 5^th century BC as a result of, actually, earlier than France was France, it was Gaul. And after all there have been individuals residing right here earlier than the Gauls, however we’ve got to start out someplace!

The Gauls

The Gauls have been a set of Celtic tribes that lived throughout what’s now France, plus elements of what’s now Belgium, and northern Italy. They weren’t united in any central authorities like fashionable France, however have been as an alternative a unfastened federation of tribes. When the Greeks arrived in Marseilles in 600BC they mentioned of the Gauls that they have been fabricated from sunshine as so a lot of them had golden hair.

And these tribes have been fierce. They even sacked Rome in 390 BC underneath the command of their chieftain, Brennus of the Gaullish tribe the Senones. His well-known line to the Romans? ‘Vae Victis,’ or ‘Woe to the Vanquished.’ Basically, ‘Tough luck, you lost.’ Pretty brutal.

But as robust because the Gauls have been, the Romans ultimately gained. And the person who would change the destiny of Gaul perpetually was none aside from Julius Caesar. Between 58 and 50 BC, Caesar led his legions within the Gallic Wars, systematically conquering the Gallic tribes.

One of the final huge moments of resistance was on the Battle of Alesia in 52 BC, the place the Gallic chieftain Vercingetorix made a final stand in opposition to Caesar. There is a good statue of him within the metropolis of Clermont-Ferrand within the Auvergne and the plaque on it reads “I fight that all may be free.” Spoiler alert: it didn’t finish nicely for him. He was captured and ultimately executed in Rome.

The Romans in France

Gaul grew to become a Roman province and was Romanised – known as the Gallo-Roman interval. The cities that we now know like Paris which was recognized by its Roman identify Lutetia), and Lyon which was then referred to as Lugdunum, and others began to take form. Latin grew to become the dominant language for many who held energy, which set the stage for the event of the French language afterward.

Many tribes had their very own language so the introduction of Latin throughout completely different tribal areas was a giant deal. Over time Latin merged with the native Gaulish dialects. This combination gave rise to Vulgar Latin, which ultimately reworked into what’s often known as Old French which was additionally influenced by the arrival of invading Germanic tribes. The French language wasn’t standardised till a lot later.

It really wasn’t till the sixteenth century when King François I made a landmark resolution by issuing the Ordinance of Villers-Cotterêts in 1539, that French grew to become the official language of administration and regulation in France, changing Latin. That was a key second in shaping the fashionable French identification. And the chateau the place he issued the decree is now devoted to the French language and language usually – the Cite de la Langue Francais is a fully fascinating place to go to.

Somewhat over 100 years after Francois’ declaration, in 1635, the Académie Française was established to guard and protect the French language.

To today, throughout France there are nonetheless traces of the Roman affect, amphitheatres like in Lyon, Saintes in Charente-Maritime and even in Paris, theatres like in Orange in Provence, triumphal arches like in Reims Champagne, temples like in Nimes and the fabulous Pont du Gard bridge within the south of France. Pretty a lot all over the place you go in France you’ll discover Roman stays – not in each metropolis, not in each city, however in most areas from north to south.

The Visigoths and the Vandals

Ok let’s quick ahead a number of centuries to the fall of the Roman Empire within the fifth century. Yes solely 1600 years in the past, the Romans nonetheless held energy in France, however by then Rome was having a tricky time maintaining management of its territories, together with Gaul. In got here the so-called barbarians, the Visigoths and the Vandals, Germanic tribes who invaded Gaul because the Western Roman Empire crumbled.

The Visigoths, particularly, settled within the southern a part of Gaul and Spain, whereas the Vandals moved on to North Africa. This was a chaotic interval, with completely different tribes carving out their very own kingdoms. It’s like Europe was having an enormous, post-Roman yard sale, and everybody was grabbing what they might.

The Franks

Along got here the Franks, led by the one and solely Clovis. Now, right here’s the place issues get attention-grabbing. Clovis was the primary king to unite the Frankish tribes underneath one rule, across the late fifth century. And right here’s a enjoyable truth: Clovis’ identify is the origin of the fashionable French identify Louis, of which there would ultimately be 18 French kings named Louis.

And one other enjoyable truth – he apparently by no means minimize his hair in his whole life.

Clovis he beloved to battle, and he was at all times up for a battle and appreciated nothing higher than getting in the course of a melee and wiping out the enemy together with his axe. He typically gained however at some point he got here up in opposition to a tribe that appeared set to beat him. All of his prayers to his Gods had no impact. His spouse Clotilde prayed to her god, the Christian god, and the battle went in his favour, so he transformed to Christianity in 496 AD.

His baptism was a giant deal as a result of it marked the start of France’s lengthy relationship with Christianity, which might form its historical past for hundreds of years to return. Clovis was baptised in Reims by The Bishop of Reims, who grew to become Saint Remi, making a hyperlink between the monarchy and the church – the truth is 33 French monarchs have been topped in Reims – giving the city the identify the Coronation City. There is a legend that on the day he was baptised, 25 December, the streets of Reims have been embellished and candles have been lit and perfumes sprinkled in order that the air smelled candy.

Monks marched in procession chanting and singing hymns, then got here Clovis and his sisters and three thousand of his warriors, sporting modern huge moustaches and attempting to look meditative as they too have been to be baptised. Clovis dipped his head beneath water 3 times and the Bishop was about to anoint him however the oil was held up by the crowds when a white dove is claimed to have appeared carrying a phial filled with holy oil. And that oil was utilized in virtually the entire coronations as much as the French Revolution when the jar was smashed with a hammer. But a number of items remained, and somewhat balm was stored and is likely one of the treasures of Reims, stored within the Archbishops Palace, the Palace of Tau, to today.

The Merovingian dynasty

Clovis, King of the Franks established the Merovingian dynasty, and for some time, issues have been comparatively steady. But you understand how dynasties go—ultimately, issues begin to collapse, and the Merovingians misplaced their grip. They grew to become often known as ‘rois fainéants’ – the do-nothing kings.

The Carolingians

Enter the Carolingians. Their dynasty started with a person named Charles Martel, also called ‘The Hammer’ and never as a result of he was good at woodwork. He was a warrior king and gained essential battles, however his identify was an previous French phrase for hammer. He dominated from then capital of France Laon in Picardy.

Charlemagne

Then got here his grandson, Charlemagne, and if there’s one identify you must know in early French historical past, it’s Charlemagne. His mother and father have been King Pepin the Short, King of the Franks, and Big Footed Bertha. Charlemagne was topped Holy Roman Emperor on Christmas Day within the yr 800 by Pope Leo III and he’s also called Charles the Great and the Father of Europe. This man constructed an empire that stretched throughout a lot of Western Europe.

Charlemagne was additionally an enormous supporter of schooling and tradition, sparking what’s often known as the Carolingian Renaissance. Schools, libraries, and monasteries flourished throughout his reign. And he beloved cheese – particularly brie! He had 20 youngsters and was succeeded by his son Louis, often known as Louis the Pious as a result of he behaved like a monk.

There is a well-known French 1960’s track referred to as Sacré Charlemagne, about how Charlemagne invented colleges within the Middle Ages and it’s why faculty youngsters don’t like Charlemagne!

But after all, no empire lasts perpetually. The empire that Charlemagne constructed was divided amongst his grandsons, which weakened it. And then got here the Vikings.

The Vikings in France

The Vikings arrived within the eighth century, and it was a tough time particularly for northern France as a result of these Scandinavian raiders stored exhibiting up on the rivers, pillaging cities.

They even sailed up the Seine and held Paris to ransom and refused to depart till King Charles the Bald gave them, it’s mentioned, a whopping 2,500kg of gold and silver. One of essentially the most well-known Viking leaders was Rollo, who ended up making a cope with the French king in 911. Rollo received to marry a daughter of the king and to maintain a piece of land in northern France, which grew to become often known as Normandy—which really means the land of the Northmen. In return, Rollo promised to guard the world from different Viking raids.

The Norman Conquest

And that units the stage for some of the well-known occasions in each French and English historical past—the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, led by William the Conqueror, who was, after all, Duke of Normandy and have become King of England and was of Viking descent.

Every English monarch who adopted William, together with Queen Elizabeth II, is taken into account a descendant of the Norman-born king. According to some genealogists, greater than 25 p.c of the English inhabitants can be distantly associated to him, as are numerous Americans with British ancestry.

By the thirteenth century, William was the most typical given identify amongst English males. Today it nonetheless ranks within the high 10, and a few have predicted that the long run crowning of one other King William will make it much more in style.

The Capetians

The subsequent huge dynasty in French historical past was the Capetians, beginning with Hugh Capet in 987. It nonetheless wasn’t France as we all know it although. Mostly his kingdom was round Paris, the remainder of the French kingdom was within the arms of highly effective native lords. Hugh was descended from Charlemagne and his line would rule for lots of of years, ultimately giving rise to the House of Valois after which the House of Bourbon. And there have been additionally the Plantagenets, who dominated huge territories in France.

The Plantagenets

The Plantagenets dominated England, but in addition dominated half of France at one time. Their origin was French, and like a lot of the rulers of England for the following 300 years or so after William the Conqueror – they spoke French. The most well-known of them was Richard the Lionheart who barely set foot in England and was mentioned to have remarked he would quit England if he might rule all of France.

The Valois

The Valois dynasty lasted from the early 1300s to the late 1500s and had a number of kings together with Louis the Spider, so-called as he was at all times as much as intrigue and conspiracy, and he was ruthless. It’s mentioned that when he was instructed his father had died, he was completely delighted as a result of he by no means appreciated him! But underneath his rule extra of the feudal lands got here underneath the management of the crown and France grew to become essentially the most highly effective nationwide state in Europe.

There was additionally Francois 1er – often known as the Renaissance King as he beloved Italian artwork and was a giant patron of the humanities, constructing grand castles and even introduced Leonardo da Vinci to stay in France at a citadel in Amboise within the Loire Valley.

The Bourbons and the Sun King

After this we had the Bourbons. The identify of Bourbon comes from a city in France (referred to as Bourbon-L’Archambault from the identify of an early lord) and the area round it, the Bourbonnais. We can’t discuss them with out mentioning Louis XIV, the Sun King who grew to become king aged 4 in 1643. He turned France into the dominant energy in Europe. Louis was all about absolute monarchy – ‘L’état, c’est moi,’ or ‘I am the state,’ is what he supposedly mentioned.

And he wasn’t kidding! Louis was a management freak. He constructed the magnificent Palace of Versailles and crammed it with courtroom intrigue, events, and… extreme spending. He pressured his lords and girls to depart their pretty chateaux and stay in uncomfortable rooms at Versailles in order that he might management them higher. Under Louis XIV, France additionally grew to become a centre of tradition, artwork, and trend. He was France’s longest reigning monarch – 72 years on the throne. He died aged 77 of gangrene, 4 days earlier than his birthday.

His successor Louis XV was 5 when he grew to become King, and he was very spoiled and taught no manners. He grew to become an conceited ruler, having been introduced as much as consider that his individuals belonged to him, whereas Louis XIV was taught he belonged to his individuals. He spent cash when there was none, was too lazy to control and cared about nothing however his personal pleasures (particularly his many mistresses). It was a recipe for catastrophe.

His successor Louis XVI was a bit higher behaved, however the individuals by now weren’t completely satisfied. It wasn’t nearly grasping, conceited rulers, the climate was not type, crops failed, taxes have been too excessive (France had supported the American War of Independence at a excessive value), individuals have been hungry, poor, exhausted and fed up with being handled like money cows to feed the whims of those that held the ability. Nothing a lot modifications does it.

The French Revolution

Fast ahead to 1789, and all that royal splendour got here crashing down with the French Revolution. The French individuals have been fed up with inequality, famine, and taxes. The storming of the Bastille on July 14th, 1789, marked the beginning of the revolution, and shortly after, the monarchy was overthrown.

And the monarchy didn’t simply finish, it ended dramatically. Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette have been each executed by guillotine in 1793 throughout the Reign of Terror. After that, France grew to become a republic, however it wasn’t precisely steady. There have been wars, counter-revolutions, and all types of chaos. France’s first structure, The First Republic was created in 1791 by the National Assembly, a physique shaped in 1789 to exchange the monarchy’s absolute rule.

The French Republic is born – and Napoleon Bonaparte turns into Emperor

And then got here Napoleon Bonaparte. He took benefit of the chaos after the revolution, ultimately changing into Emperor of the French in 1804. Napoleon expanded the French empire throughout Europe with a sequence of army campaigns, however as everyone knows, his ambition ultimately led to his downfall.

His invasion of Russia in 1812 was a catastrophe, and after the Battle of Waterloo in 1815, Napoleon was lastly defeated and exiled to St. Helena, the place he spent the remainder of his life.

After Napoleon, France went via a number of extra modifications—a restored monarchy, a second republic, a second empire underneath Napoleon’s nephew, Napoleon III, and eventually, in 1870, the institution of the Third Republic.”

Since 1791, there have been sixteen French constitutions in complete. At the guts of the Republic are the identical rules that guided the primary: liberté, égalité, fraternité. These three phrases are the French Republic’s motto.

The guiding rules of France’s many constitutions have been formed by the philosophers of the Enlightenment, together with the French author Voltaire and Denis Diderot, co-founder of the French Encyclopedia. These males helped form not solely the French authorities, however their affect additionally unfold additional, for example Baron de La Brède et de Montesquieu’s writings on authorities and regulation profoundly influenced the American Founders and the design of the US Constitution.

Today we’re within the Fifth Republic, established in 1958 by Charles de Gaulle, although it has been revised and expanded since then. He was not solely a World War II hero but in addition a political drive who reshaped fashionable France. The Fifth Republic strengthened the function of the president, making France a semi-presidential republic, and de Gaulle himself served as its first president.

Janine Marsh is the writer of a number of internationally best-selling books about France. Her newest guide How to be French – a celebration of the French life-style and artwork de vivre, is out now – a take a look at the French lifestyle. Find all books on her web site janinemarsh.com

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