What do you think?
Rate this book
Capetian France 987-1328
In 987, when Hugh Capet took the throne of France, founding a dynasty which was to rule for over 300 years, his kingdom was weak and insignificant. But by 1100, the kingdom of France was beginning to dominate the cultural nd religious life of western Europe. In the centuries that followed, to scholars and to poets, to reforming churchmen and monks, to crusaders and the designers of churches, France was the hub of the universe. La douce France drew people like a magnet even though its kings were, until about 1200, comparatively insignificant figures. Then, thanks to the conquests and reforms of King Philip Augustus, France became a dominant force in political and economic terms as well, producing a saint-king, Louis IX, and in Philip IV, a ruler so powerful that he could dictate to popes and emperors. Spanning France's development across four centuries, Capetian France is a definitive book. This second edition has been carefully revised to take account of the very latest work, without losing the original book's popular balance between a compelling narrative and an fascinating examination of the period's main themes.
496 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1980
9 people are currently reading
154 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
April 12, 2022
This was interesting, well cited and well written.
August 10, 2012
The Capetian Kings of France or The Capetian Monarchy would be a more apt title for Elizabeth Hallam's overview of French political history from Hugh Capet's assumption of the kingship from the Carolingians in 987 to the end of the main Capetian line with the death of Charles IV in 1328. Above all, her work functions as a narrative of how Capetian power grew over 300+ years: after starting as a rather typical territorial prince armed with theoretical claims to the powers of kingship more than actual efficacy, the Capetians steadily accumulated land and influence until they became the predominant political players in Europe. There's also a welcome emphasis on the fact that this rise was not inevitable or uninterrupted, and Hallam is particularly good at narrating how the king's power was challenged at various stages, first by castellans and later by regional lords and communes. As a history of the Capetian monarchy and its relations to the surrounding nobility, it's a pretty solid account.
The book is much less strong in weaving in other aspects of Capetian France during the period. Religion is touched on, but usually only in how it affects the monarchy. Several topics are treated so cursorily that it seems like Hallam felt the need to say something about them, even if it just comes down a brief and somewhat unhelpful summary. Sections on heretical movements and peasant life, for example, don't offer much besides the fact that heresy existed, and so did peasants. While it's a hugely difficult task to weave together narrative history with thematic issues, it seems like Hallam could have attempted it a bit more, even if just to point out at greater length how it affected Capetian development. Or, honestly, she could have just left it out and framed her book as a solely political study.
Hallam's style is also a bit clinical - despite having lots of fun stories to tell, her narrative never seems to have much spark. That said, she always makes an effort to present fair characterizations of those she discusses, refraining from sanctifying or entirely condemning them (except for several of her mentions of Charles of Anjou, of whom she is not a particular fan). The book is also organized in a very clean and logical manner, which is appreciated in works covering this much information.
Overall, it works as an overview of French political history, especially the changing dynamics between the Capetian monarchy and the French nobility. If you're looking for a cultural or economic view of the same period, what you'll find here is not as helpful.
The book is much less strong in weaving in other aspects of Capetian France during the period. Religion is touched on, but usually only in how it affects the monarchy. Several topics are treated so cursorily that it seems like Hallam felt the need to say something about them, even if it just comes down a brief and somewhat unhelpful summary. Sections on heretical movements and peasant life, for example, don't offer much besides the fact that heresy existed, and so did peasants. While it's a hugely difficult task to weave together narrative history with thematic issues, it seems like Hallam could have attempted it a bit more, even if just to point out at greater length how it affected Capetian development. Or, honestly, she could have just left it out and framed her book as a solely political study.
Hallam's style is also a bit clinical - despite having lots of fun stories to tell, her narrative never seems to have much spark. That said, she always makes an effort to present fair characterizations of those she discusses, refraining from sanctifying or entirely condemning them (except for several of her mentions of Charles of Anjou, of whom she is not a particular fan). The book is also organized in a very clean and logical manner, which is appreciated in works covering this much information.
Overall, it works as an overview of French political history, especially the changing dynamics between the Capetian monarchy and the French nobility. If you're looking for a cultural or economic view of the same period, what you'll find here is not as helpful.
November 23, 2016
Not, it's not exactly a captivating page-turner, but it is a very informative academic account of its subject matter.
Under the Capetians, France congealed as a kingdom, but we shouldn't read that as inevitable. There were ups and downs along the way and it was never foreordained that things would work out as they did. The early Capetian kings had minimal power outside their own family domains around Paris. Barons and lords could ignore the kings with impunity, especially in southern France. Things hit a low point in the 1040s due to a crisis of authority, but from the late 11th century onward the kingdom experience a gradual rise in power. The turning point came around 1200 or so, when Philip Augustus began his series of successful conquests versus England's King John. Hallam locates the key period in the rise of Capetian power as 1200-1226 - the back half of Philip's reign plus that of his son. Royal power continued to expand, thanks in part due to the development of feudal suzerainty. Louis IX (St. Louis) gets a lengthy chapter devoted to his reign, when he used a combination of his own piety and the furthering instruments of power (increasing administration and judicial networks under royal power) to increase his power. Around 1300, the rise of other states caused ruinously expensive wars, which led to financial problems, which caused the need for new forms of taxation.
After the Capetian line ended, the more consolidated princes were able to gain more influence (aided by the financial problems of the Late Medieval royalty). In the 14th century, royal power went into decline -- but that's beyond the Capetians.
Under the Capetians, France congealed as a kingdom, but we shouldn't read that as inevitable. There were ups and downs along the way and it was never foreordained that things would work out as they did. The early Capetian kings had minimal power outside their own family domains around Paris. Barons and lords could ignore the kings with impunity, especially in southern France. Things hit a low point in the 1040s due to a crisis of authority, but from the late 11th century onward the kingdom experience a gradual rise in power. The turning point came around 1200 or so, when Philip Augustus began his series of successful conquests versus England's King John. Hallam locates the key period in the rise of Capetian power as 1200-1226 - the back half of Philip's reign plus that of his son. Royal power continued to expand, thanks in part due to the development of feudal suzerainty. Louis IX (St. Louis) gets a lengthy chapter devoted to his reign, when he used a combination of his own piety and the furthering instruments of power (increasing administration and judicial networks under royal power) to increase his power. Around 1300, the rise of other states caused ruinously expensive wars, which led to financial problems, which caused the need for new forms of taxation.
After the Capetian line ended, the more consolidated princes were able to gain more influence (aided by the financial problems of the Late Medieval royalty). In the 14th century, royal power went into decline -- but that's beyond the Capetians.
August 6, 2016
Finally, someone to explicate the placement of la Vicomté de Limoges in the feudal pyramid that was la Duché d'Aquitaine. Those dukes were tit-squeezing motherfuckers!
May 29, 2023
It was an intense but fascinating read looking not just Capetian kings but the society as a whole. Religon, finances, diplomacy and even the day to day of Paris and other small towns are all reflected in this story of Frankish rulers turned to mighty French Kings. Highly recommended
October 23, 2018
Good book, fairly academic. Goes into much detail on the relationship of the Church and State, as both we’re back then. More of a text book than a casual read, one must be motivated to finish.
December 27, 2024
Great book on mayhap the most illustrious and preeminent Royal house of the Middle Ages.
October 27, 2014
I found the story of how the dynasty's power grew interesting but the book was a bit dry otherwise. Books about the periods before modern nations were founded can be confusing since there were often so many contending groups and rulers. I also was reading three books which is almost always a mistake. :-)
January 22, 2025
Kind of a tedious read
I felt disengaged and lost at times
gave up partway through.
I wouldn't recommend it, and I felt like I'm still pretty lost on this historical period. It neither made me feel like I understood this era well, nor did it whet my appetite to learn anymore. I did get something out of the ducal-royal relations of Normandy, and a little bit about some social relations.
I felt disengaged and lost at times
gave up partway through.
I wouldn't recommend it, and I felt like I'm still pretty lost on this historical period. It neither made me feel like I understood this era well, nor did it whet my appetite to learn anymore. I did get something out of the ducal-royal relations of Normandy, and a little bit about some social relations.
April 10, 2017
This is not popular history, but as someone who is interested in the subject, I enjoyed this as a companion to my Medieval France lectures at school. That being said, I also have a professor who brings these accounts to life and makes them a bit more 'thrilling,' if you will.
This book offers a solid account of the Capetian dynasty, but as another reviewer mentioned, there seems to be difficulty weaving together other aspects of society and culture at this time. I noticed that I would be intrigued at the beginning of each section when a new monarch was introduced and by the end of the chapter, I would lose interest. The added sections at the end: Philippe le Bel and the Pope, 13th Century Society, etc. (I'm paraphrasing here) really did nothing to enhance the content of the chapter.
Also, I never want to see the word 'apogee' ever again. According to the author, everything was the apogee of Medieval France making it seem less plausible with each usage.
This book offers a solid account of the Capetian dynasty, but as another reviewer mentioned, there seems to be difficulty weaving together other aspects of society and culture at this time. I noticed that I would be intrigued at the beginning of each section when a new monarch was introduced and by the end of the chapter, I would lose interest. The added sections at the end: Philippe le Bel and the Pope, 13th Century Society, etc. (I'm paraphrasing here) really did nothing to enhance the content of the chapter.
Also, I never want to see the word 'apogee' ever again. According to the author, everything was the apogee of Medieval France making it seem less plausible with each usage.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews