Chapters

• 1. A Comprehensive History of Royal Power in France (c. 450-1792)
• 2. The Enduring Legacy of France's Kings
• 3. Historical Context and Approach
• 4. Historiographical Considerations
• 5. Sources and Methodology
• 6. Themes of Inclusivity and Diversity
• 7. Contemporary Relevance
• 8. Structure of This Book
• 9. A Note on Dates and Names
• 10. Conclusion
• 11. Introduction: From Roman Gaul to Frankish Kingdom
• 12. The World of Post-Roman Gaul
• 13. Clovis: Warrior, Convert, and Kingdom Builder
• 14. The Conversion of Clovis: Politics and Piety
• 15. Royal Women and the Exercise of Power
• 16. The Division of the Realm: Frankish Inheritance Customs
• 17. The Transformation of Gallo-Roman Society
• 18. Law and Justice in the Merovingian Kingdom
• 19. Economic Life and Trade Networks
• 20. The Rise of Monasticism
• 21. The Long-Haired Kings: Royal Symbolism and Legitimacy
• 22. Queens, Concubines, and Succession Crises
• 23. Regional Variations: Austrasia, Neustria, and Burgundy
• 24. The Merovingian Church: Between Rome and the Frankish Court
• 25. Daily Life in Merovingian Gaul
• 26. The Decline of Merovingian Power
• 27. The End of the Dynasty
• 28. The Merovingian Legacy
• 29. Conclusion: Assessing the First Dynasty
• 30. Introduction: A New Sacred Kingship
• 31. The Rise of the Pippinids: From Mayors to Kings
• 32. The Revolution of 751: Anointing and Sacred Kingship
• 33. Charlemagne: Warrior, Administrator, and Cultural Patron
• 34. The Imperial Coronation: Christmas 800
• 35. Government and Administration Under the Carolingians
• 36. The Carolingian Church: Reform and Integration
• 37. Women and Power in the Carolingian Era
• 38. Economic Foundations: Agriculture, Trade, and Monetary Reform
• 39. Cultural Renaissance: Learning, Art, and Architecture
• 40. The Succession Crisis: Louis the Pious and the Division of Empire
• 41. The Emergence of France: West Francia Under the Later Carolingians
• 42. The Viking Impact: Raiders, Traders, and Settlers
• 43. The Rise of Territorial Principalities
• 44. Monastic Reform and Spiritual Renewal
• 45. The Carolingian Twilight: The Last Kings
• 46. Intellectual and Cultural Legacy
• 47. Economic and Social Transformations
• 48. Art, Architecture, and Material Culture
• 49. The Transformation of Warfare
• 50. Conclusion: The Carolingian Achievement and Legacy
• 51. Introduction: An Unlikely Dynasty
• 52. The Election of Hugh Capet: Opportunity from Crisis
• 53. The Nature of Early Capetian Power
• 54. Robert II the Pious: Consolidation and Conflict
• 55. The Challenge of Castellans: New Forms of Local Power
• 56. Henry I: Survival Through Flexibility
• 57. Philip I: A Long Reign of Small Steps
• 58. The Peace of God and Royal Authority
• 59. Women and Queenship in Early Capetian France
• 60. Louis VI "The Fat": The Turning Point
• 61. The Transformation of Paris
• 62. The Capetian Relationship with the Papacy
• 63. Military Evolution Under the Early Capetians
• 64. Economic Foundations of Royal Power
• 65. Conclusion: Foundations for Future Greatness
• 66. Introduction: The Transformation of Kingship
• 67. Philip Augustus: The Founder of French Royal Power
• 68. The Battle of Bouvines and Its Consequences
• 69. Administrative Revolution Under Philip Augustus
• 70. Louis VIII and the Albigensian Crusade
• 71. Saint Louis: The Ideal Christian King
• 72. The Seventh and Eighth Crusades
• 73. Legal Development and Royal Justice
• 74. Economic Expansion and Royal Finance
• 75. Philip III and the Expansion Southward
• 76. Philip IV the Fair: Sovereignty Asserted
• 77. The Destruction of the Templars
• 78. Administrative Sophistication Under Philip the Fair
• 79. The Last Direct Capetians: Crisis and Continuity
• 80. Urban Development and Royal Relations with Towns
• 81. Women, Power, and Queenship in the High Medieval Period
• 82. Cultural Achievements and Royal Patronage
• 83. Economic Transformations and Royal Adaptation
• 84. Conclusion: The Capetian Achievement
• 85. Introduction: A Dynasty Born in Controversy
• 86. Philip VI: The Challenged King
• 87. Crécy and Its Aftermath
• 88. John II: Chivalry and Catastrophe
• 89. The Jacquerie and Social Crisis
• 90. The Treaty of Brétigny and Its Consequences
• 91. Charles V: The Wise King's Recovery
• 92. Charles VI: Madness and Civil War
• 93. Agincourt and the Treaty of Troyes
• 94. Joan of Arc: Salvation Through Mysticism
• 95. Charles VII: From Bourges to Paris
• 96. The Pragmatic Sanction and Gallican Liberties
• 97. Economic Recovery and Social Change
• 98. Louis XI: The Universal Spider
• 99. Conclusion: The Valois Achievement
• 100. Introduction: France in Transformation
• 101. Louis XI: Machiavellian Before Machiavelli
• 102. Charles VIII and the Italian Obsession
• 103. Louis XII: The Father of His People
• 104. Francis I: Renaissance Magnificence
• 105. The Beginning of Religious Division
• 106. Henry II: Intensification and Tragedy
• 107. Francis II and the Rise of Factions
• 108. Charles IX and the Wars of Religion
• 109. The Monarchy's Cultural Achievements
• 110. Women and Power in the Later Valois Court
• 111. Henry III: The Last Valois
• 112. Economic Strain and Fiscal Innovation
• 113. Provincial Autonomy and Royal Authority
• 114. Conclusion: The Valois Legacy
• 115. Introduction: A Dynasty Forged in Crisis
• 116. Henry IV: The Unlikely Savior
• 117. Reconstruction and Recovery
• 118. The Grand Design and Foreign Policy
• 119. The Assassination and Its Impact
• 120. Marie de Medici's Regency: Testing the Restoration
• 121. Louis XIII: The Unexpected Strong King
• 122. Richelieu: The Architect of Absolutism
• 123. The Thirty Years War and French Ascendancy
• 124. Financial Innovation and Its Discontents
• 125. The Fronde: Absolutism Challenged
• 126. Mazarin and the Completion of Absolutism
• 127. Economic Transformation Under the Early Bourbons
• 128. Social Change and Its Management
• 129. Religious Management Under the Early Bourbons
• 130. Women, Power, and Early Bourbon Court Culture
• 131. Conclusion: The Bourbon Achievement
• 132. Introduction: The Incarnation of Monarchy
• 133. The Personal Rule Begins
• 134. Colbert and Economic Management
• 135. Versailles: The Theater of Absolutism
• 136. The Nobility's Golden Cage
• 137. Religious Policy: Unity Through Persecution
• 138. War and Diplomacy: The Pursuit of Gloire
• 139. Military Innovation and Its Limits
• 140. Court Culture and the Arts
• 141. Women at the Court of the Sun King
• 142. Economic Strain and Fiscal Crisis
• 143. The Decline of the Sun
• 144. The Death of the Sun King
• 145. Conclusion: The Paradox of Absolutism
• 146. Introduction: The Sunset of Absolutism
• 147. The Regency: Liberation and Disorder
• 148. The Mississippi Bubble and Financial Innovation
• 149. Louis XV: The Well-Beloved Becomes the Well-Hated
• 150. Wars and Diplomatic Revolution
• 151. The Enlightenment's Challenge
• 152. The Parlements and Constitutional Crisis
• 153. Financial Crisis and Failed Reforms
• 154. Cultural Brilliance Amid Political Decline
• 155. Provincial Autonomy and National Disunity
• 156. The Church in Crisis
• 157. The End of Louis XV's Reign
• 158. Conclusion: The Impossible Reform
• 159. Introduction: The Last King
• 160. The Young King and Early Promise
• 161. Turgot's Reforms and Their Failure
• 162. Necker and the Politics of Credit
• 163. Marie Antoinette and the Desacralization of Monarchy
• 164. The Assembly of Notables and Failed Reform
• 165. The Pre-Revolution of 1787-1788
• 166. The Calling of the Estates-General
• 167. The Revolution Begins
• 168. The Destruction of the Ancien Régime
• 169. The Civil Constitution of the Clergy
• 170. The Flight to Varennes
• 171. War and Radicalization
• 172. The King's Trial and Execution
• 173. Marie Antoinette's Final Months
• 174. The Monarchy's Children: Tragic Epilogue
• 175. Conclusion: Why the Monarchy Fell
• 176. A Thousand Years of Kingship
• 177. Patterns of Success and Failure
• 178. The Monarchy's Achievements
• 179. The Monarchy's Limitations
• 180. Why the Monarchy Fell
• 181. The Monarchy's Afterlife
• 182. Lessons for Political Order
• 183. Final Reflections
• 184. Primary Sources
• 185. Secondary Sources: General Histories
• 186. Dynasty-Specific Studies
• 187. Thematic Studies
• 188. The End of the Monarchy
• 189. Recent Scholarship and Specialized Studies
• 190. Reference Works
• 191. For Further Reading