Middle Ages, slowly but surely spreads its feudal fragmentation.Empire flourished and collapsed.In the fire and privation born understanding that a single country needs a strong central authority.Likewise, slow and difficult, it is an association of France.In this agricultural country and strengthened the city grew, developed fully with trade and commerce.How was the union of France, described in this article.
In the first millennium
Ninth century put an end to the empire of Charlemagne.It shattered like a plate on the floor - into small pieces.One of these fragments - country western francs - became a kingdom where the board received the descendants of Emperor Charlemagne - Carolingian dynasty weakened, marked degeneration.Royal power at that time was hardly even a low - power almost was not.Who was an opponent of unification of France?Is that time.
When the last Carolingian died, the whole France could fit in a shepherd's bag - a small patch of the Ile-de-France with the lands around Orleans and Paris.In 987 the king was anointed Hugh Capet.Naturally, neither Hugo nor other Capet on the throne of France, did not like this situation, when their vassals - the duke of Normandy, for example, have become not just richer than kings, but many times stronger than them.Is there may be other reasons for unification of France?
Capet
Survived first Capet on the throne, it is literally balancing on one leg, but resist, survived, grew stronger and ruled until 1328, constantly priraschivaya territory and taming vassals.It is a healthy family, a long-lived, have introduced the continuity of the main policies.Older sons are usually crowned even during his lifetime, so the succession dispute has not happened.
course, "every family has its black sheep," not all of Capet have proven skillful rulers.However, this situation should be viewed objectively.How was the union of France, under what conditions?The medieval world is so disparate and too small for any initiative that surprising, as it was possible to significantly increase as the hereditary possession (royal domain).The first successes of the French association rightly unsubscribe Capet.
powerful enemy
Barely Louis VI managed to extinguish the baronial rebellion, taking as a rule support the nominees of the people, giving them even the highest public office in the calculation for future loyalty;just rebuilt the old Carolingian church in the first truly Gothic monastery of Saint-Denis, taking out and currently advisor Abbot Suger, in Normandy appeared Duke William.Yes, the same - the Conqueror.
political situation to the last extremity difficult conquest of England by William in 1066.As a vassal of the French king, William himself became king - king and much more powerful at home, growing strongly at a much faster rate than Capet.Henry II had had a "mini-Angevin Empire", becoming the ruler of England, Normandy, Anjou, Aquitaine and many lands that make up much of modern France.The most annoying is that if we ask, who was an opponent of unification of France, will have to answer - their own vassals.
young, so early
Fifteen King Philip II took up strongly fix this situation.Very smart raschёtliv and sometimes even for business use mean, he was one of the most patient and away staring politicians of the Middle Ages.Not in vain Philip Augustus became known.Anyone who was an opponent of unification of France, became an enemy of the king.
choice of foreign policy was the gathering of lands and rounding territory, the interior - a consolidation of the acquired.Philip equally well coped with that, and with others.In it there were a variety of talents - a great leader, a cunning diplomat, a wise legislator and a great manager got on in this young, but not fragile creatures.
Philip against England
Henry II, the King of England, Normandy, and the list goes on, hard hit by the new ruler of France.Despite the fact that between the two powers was concluded alliance, Philip intrigued so successfully that the sons of Henry very relaxed Angevin empire constant rebellions.
with the successor of Henry - Richard I - have matured by the time Philip intrigue failed, but turned friendship and joint crusade.But with the next governor - John Landless able to handle quickly, easily and with a relatively small losses.The purpose of unification of France was worth.
first gave Philip John on trial for the murder of his nephew, Arthur, who, however, died under very mysterious circumstances.John has not appeared.Then Philip confiscated all his possessions, which were on the mainland, for breach of homage.
After four years of war, and after the defeat of the British in 1214, Philippe joined the French lands not only Normandy and Anjou, and in addition a number of areas in the north.These were the first successes of the French association.
Crusade
Albigensians were fun people.Pope did not like it at once: the troubadours, knights, poets explicitly covered by heresy, if say that the Lord is not all-good and not omnipotent.This Albigensian heresy soaked in several provinces of the south of France - Toulouse, Languedoc, Provence.At the court of Count Raymond of Toulouse gathered the most talented and brilliant people of his time.
French North at the call of the Pope marched Albigensian.But Philip, meanwhile, strengthened the northern border, while his vassals drowned in blood culture of Languedoc.
Faith barons were fanatical, and greed helped considerably.Southern Region and, in particular, in the Languedoc - destroyed and executed, too, came under the authority of France.Philip, however, this is not found.By 1224 the result of the crusade was received as the next step towards the union of France.
As milestones of King Philip Augustus can trace the steps of the French association.In addition, the positive point was the strengthening and consolidation of power and the creation of a single rather slim and efficient administrative system.But it should be noted that Philip does not disdain to achieve their goals.
Thirteenth Century
St. Louis ruled France from 1226 to 1270.He was known as a pious and wise, he was canonized by the Roman church.Repeatedly he served as an arbitrator in the litigation between the monarch, but as a fierce crusader, the benefits to join the French did not miss very much and had strengthened the royal power.
France when it blossomed into a beautiful country, a cultural center, which it remains in Europe, and around the world to this day.And then under the wing of the wise monarch flocked from everywhere the best theologians, troubadours and writers.They were built magnificent cathedrals of Chartres, Amiens and Reims.Here's how the union took place in France during the reign of St. Louis.
Although his future holiness, with Rome at the Louis IX evolved complex relationships.In 1269 he published the Pragmatic Sanction, which freed France from levies and contributions in the Roman treasury and declared the independence of the church from the Church of France in Rome.The actions of Pope Innocent IV, Louis strongly censured.
Philip IV the Fair, and the nation-state
grandson of St. Louis could be called Philip unconscionable.But they called beautiful.Beauty was stronger conscience.Apparently, more and more because the reign of Philip had at the time of the decline of feudal power, which has strengthened the monarchy in the country, what he succeeded.The point of his ancestors, he went fully as possible.Reasons for unification of France nowhere gone.Philippe prepare the country for accession of new territories.
In politics, this king prevailed aggression and brutality.Such were the conditions of the era.But here's an interesting fact: early widowed, he married again, faithful to the deceased spouse.It brings together many, even with his inordinate ambition.Stages associations in France and after the reign of Philip did not end there.This process took almost the entire period of the Middle Ages.
Influence of France under Philip strengthened in Europe, even from the losses - of the war with Flanders and deal with the Templars - the country and its army got a good jackpot, adding to the budget and service.Again, the conflict flared up with the British not added France Gascogne - possession Edward I. Flanders also failed to seize.But Pope Boniface VIII, Philip, even arrested.Then the Frenchman failed to elect the Pope Clement V, who moved the residence from Rome to Avignon.It was a huge victory, since there is an association in France - though not geographically, but the national and confessional.
Results France
association gradually began to develop a common language, so bitty population began to feel as one people.There were favorable conditions for the development of culture, the arts flourished, establish education.
But by the end of the XV century, France was able to acquire all the features of a centralized monarchy.When Louis XI passed serious reforms and changes.Cities were exempt from conscription.The vassals were able to buy their way out of military service.The army has become mercenary, she was at her zavedёn special tax.
converted almost entirely government.Relations with other countries have been made possible only at the top - Royal - level vassals is prohibited.
Taxes have become permanent.There were officials to manage all this economy.States General convened stopped.Foreigners were invited to create an industry that contributed to the growth of cities and trade.
