House of Lilies: The Dynasty That Made Medieval France

by Justine Firnhaber-Baker (Author, Narrator)

The definitive history of the crusading dynasty that made the French crown the wealthiest and most powerful in medieval Europe and forged France as we know it today 
 
In House of Lilies , historian Justine Firnhaber-Baker tells the epic story of the Capetian dynasty of medieval France, showing how their ideas about power, religion, and identity continue to shape European society and politics today.

Reigning from 987 to 1328, the Capetian kings became the most powerful monarchy of the Middle Ages and established the foundations of a shared French culture. Consolidating a fragmented realm that eventually stretched from the Rhône to the Pyrenees, they were the first royal house to adopt the fleur-de-lys, displaying this lily emblem to signify their divine favor and legitimate their rule. The Capetians played a part in some of the most dramatic and far-reaching episodes in European history, including the Crusades, bloody waves of religious persecution, and a series of wars with England. The Capetian age saw the emergence of Gothic architecture, the romantic ideals of chivalry and courtly love, and the Church’s role at the center of daily life.

Evocatively interweaving these pivotal developments with the human stories of the rulers who drove them, House of Lilies is the definitive history of the dynasty that forged France—and Europe—as we know it.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, France, Medieval, Medieval History, European History, Historical

14 pages, Audible Audio

First published March 28, 2024

Reviews

[Melisende · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four stars for the following reasons:

* easy to read
* informative though not dull or dry
* covers the Capetian Dynasty well, including the women
* well researched
* additional notes, maps, family trees

Covering nearly over three centuries of French history and international politicking, Firnhaber-Baker does a remarkable job at presenting one of the pivotal dynasties in French history - the Capetians. This work has all the elements: religious fervor and upheaval, crusades,scandal, warfare, adultery, ambition, family drama, politicking - and on a magnificent grandiose scale.

Each monarch has their own dedicated chapter which covers off the pivotal moments of their reign, including each monarch's relationships with France's closest neighbours - England, Normandy, Flanders, Blois, Anjou, Valois - as France as we know it today, was still very much in its infancy and only really beginning to coalesce.

Recommended reading for those with an interest in French history and royal dynasties.

[Anthony · Rating 5 out of 5]

Succession

One of the things I really appreciate is non-English speaking history becomes accessible. Case in point here, where author Justine Firnhaber-Baker has written a wonderful book on the Capetian dynasty which ruled France from 987-1328. We have so much access to the history of the Normans and Plantagenets in the same course of time, even the Crusades, but the Capetians were equally important during this period. They built France from a kingdom, not much larger than Paris and its outer areas into the state we know today, influencing the course of European history. The book’s focus is this dynasty’s pivotal role in shaping medieval Europe, from their consolidation of power to their influence on culture and religion.

The Capetian dynasty saw several significant rulers who shaped medieval France. Hugh Capet (987–996) founded the dynasty but initially had limited power beyond Île-de-France. Philip II (1180–1223) greatly expanded royal authority by defeating King John of England at the Battle of Bouvines (1214) and reclaiming vast territories, laying the foundation for a centralized state. Louis IX (1226–1270), later canonised as Saint Louis, was known for his judicial reforms and participation in the Seventh and Eighth Crusades. His grandson, Philip IV (1285–1314), strengthened the monarchy’s financial and administrative systems, clashed with the Papal authority, and orchestrated the destruction of the Knights Templar (1307). The dynasty ended with the death of Charles IV (1328), leading to the Hundred Years’ War as England’s Edward III contested the French throne. These kings played crucial roles in transforming France into a dominant medieval power.

Firnhaber-Baker’s portrayal of the Capetians is both comprehensive and nuanced. She illustrates their strategic marriages, political maneuvers, and religious patronage and as such captures the dynasty’s complexities, therefore providing readers with a vivid picture of medieval French politics and society. Her academic background enriches the text, offering depth without sacrificing readability. She is also able to intertwine political events with cultural and religious developments provides a holistic view of the era. This approach really allowed me to appreciate the broader implications of the Capetians’ rule on the formation of French identity and statehood.

This is accessible history at its best and House of Lilies stands as a solid contribution to medieval historical literature. Firnhaber-Baker’s scholarly yet accessible writing offers a detailed and engaging account of the Capetian dynasty’s pivotal role in shaping France. If you are interested in France, medieval history, dynastic politics, and the evolution of European monarchies then I cannot recommend this book highly enough. It has been able to fill a long held gap in my knowledge which I was desperate to fill and I highly appreciate that.

[Adam McPhee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was great. Hugh Capet through to Maurice Druon's Accursed Kings is a bit of a blank spot for me, and this filled all that in nicely. Firnhaber-Baker keeps the narrative clean and flowing, and while you always want a little more detail in these sort of things, she's really got as much as she can pack in considering how many centuries this covers.

[Jacob Stelling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having been lucky enough to take an in-depth class on the Capetians with Justine - who knows her subject material inside out - over the last year, this review is probably a bit biased!

That being said, this book brings to life the family story of the Capetians with all of their dramatic flaws and goings on that I’ve come to love over the past few months. An engaging writer, Firnhaber-Baker weaves a compelling narrative which carefully treads the line between academic and popular history.

Overall, this book fills a big gap in the English market for an accessible history of the Capetians, and as such should be a must-read for anyone who enjoys medieval kings and queens.

[Lois · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is engagingly written and thoroughly researched.
I quite enjoyed it.

[Sud666 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Justine Firnhaber-Baker (MA/PhD, Harvard University) teaches medieval continental history, specializing in France from the thirteenth to the fifteenth centuries at All Souls College, Oxford. Her masterful "House of Lilies" is a truly wonderful history of the oft forgotten Capetin dynasty.

The Capetins, also known as "La Maison de France" (The House of France), whose senior line was called the House of Capet, ruled and created France between 987 and 1328. Starting with the foundational rule of Hugh Capet and ending with the rule of Charles IV, their family history is often intertwined with that of their more famous Plantagenet cousins in England. Their struggle, culminating in the Hundred Years War, is always the backdrop for these Kings who made modern France.

The Capetins were instrumental in the foundation of the modern France nation we are familiar with. They expanded the small territory of pairs to include the various Duchies and Counties surrounding it to become one of the most powerful states of this period. From producing five continuous Crusading Kings ( Louis VII, Philip Augustus, Louis VIII, Louis IX, and Philip III), to being responsible for the association with France of the Oriflamme banner and the Fleur de Lis (Lily Flower) symbol, Firnhaber-Baker's superb history introduces these fascinating Kings. From the start with Hugh, to the apogee of the clan in Philip Augustus (Philip II), to its terminus marked by the infamous Philip le Bel (Philip the Fair) and the seeming curse of the Capetins, which ends the main line with Charles IV.

A wonderful history that is full of fascinating information and is wonderfully written. Highly recommended.

[Nel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly readable and well-written.

Capetians were definitely an interesting dynasty, very different to their relatives across the channel. If Plantagenets seem to me like a dynasty brimming with some strong personalities, Capetians are much more subdued in that regard. That's the kind of impression that I got anyway.

French queens though...



Couldn't get enough of them! Need more books...need more recs!

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

House of Lilies is a delight in every way. Firnhaber-Baker demonstrates her complete mastery of this topic, while also telling a story that pulls you along from beginning to end. The book manages to convey how history ebbs, flows, and thunders, but even more importantly allows the reader to not only know, but to almost feel, how events moved across a four centuries of medieval Europe.

[Erik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Klok av skade etter 800 sider om 200 år med balkansk historie i fjor.

Dette er 300 sider om de drøye 340 (nest) mest definerende årene i Frankrikes historie: kongehuset Capets fremvekst og fall, fra år 987 til 1328.

År-per-side-ratioen i denne boka er perfekt. Jeg vil lese om Ludvig den Tykkestes absurde besettelse for å bygge broer der de ikke trengs, men jeg trenger ikke lese om Franz Ferdinand-skytter Gavrilo Princips bestevenn som laget verdens beste aivar.

Alt i alt en lærerik og morsom bok om hendelser som såvidt fikk en fotnote i historietimene på grunnskolen.

Som historie-casual kunne jeg klart mer lekenhet og tempo, men det blir litt som å si at Joachim Triers filmer bør ha flere biljakter.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I must admit, this book wasn’t on my radar prior to its publication. I hadn’t actually heard anything about it. However, after learning it was a biography of the House of Capet, and after clapping eyes on its beautiful cover, I just had to have it. On paper, it should have been a book that ticked all of my boxes. Having read it, I can say I liked it, but I certainly didn’t love it.
This is basically a whistle stop tour of the Capetian kings of medieval France. The chapters are laid out chronologically, with each king getting at least one chapter dedicated to him (some even get two or three). Seeing as the book is only 314 pages in length, and covers roughly 350 years of French monarchical history, the author doesn’t have time to into every single detail of each king’s reign. She therefore picks out a couple of aspects bout each monarch and their reign, and then explores them in more detail. How much you will get out of this book depends on how much you already know about the Capetian dynasty. A complete newbie will likely come away with a far greater knowledge of this time period, whilst those who consider themselves well versed are unlikely to learn anything they didn’t already know. I fall somewhere in between, so whilst I didn’t learn a huge amount, there were some things I hadn’t heard about of read about before.
The book is very well researched, and is written in an engaging, chatty style, which makes it pretty easy to read. However, there were a couple of things that didn’t work for me. Firstly, there were occasions where the pacing was off, meaning the book dragged. This usually happened when the monarch under the spotlight wasn’t particularly interesting, or had a short reign. The other problem is, despite the chronological layout, the author sometimes moves on to a different king, but then backtracks and talks about an event that happened in the previous king’s reign, making it a bit hard to follow what was going on, as well as coming across as a bit disjointed.
I will sum up by saying this is a good book, but not a great book. It’s nice to have a book about the Capetians which is written and published in English, and I’m glad I read it, but it’s definitely not the best historical biography I have read.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was largely in medieval France that knights and knighthood, the concept of chivalry, courtly love, Gothic architecture and the Crusades originated. Overseeing all of this was a succession of kings from the Capet family. Beginning with Hugh Capet in 978 and ending with Charles IV in 1378, the Capetian family was the longest continuously ruling family of the Middle Ages.

This book is the story of that long lasting dynasty and its interactions within the ever shifting seats of both secular and religious power in the making of what is now France. Though some were more successful than others, each Capetian ruler had a unique contribution that the author deftly synthesizes. Highly detailed but clear information is supplemented with maps showing the territory that was added to the royal domain with each successive monarch as well as simplified family trees to help keep track of the intertwined histories of the Capetians. A well researched, clearly written and very interesting history!

[C. Varn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

An enjoyable and readable popular history of high medieval French politics, which gave me a lot of insight into how Francia became France.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative and detailed about the Capetians. This has now ignited my interest in Eleanor of Aquitaine, so that will be a fun rabbit hole to explore. I also loved the family trees and geographical maps provided over the course of the 400 year history.

[Ryan Strimple · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is impossible to understand France without England and vice versa. The two realms are so intertwined that not only does this text cover the Capetian regin, but also that of the Plantagenet, to some extent. The author does a great job of outlining and adding this context throughout each of the Capetian King's reigns.

I found House of Lilies to be very approachable to someone new to medieval France. I learned a ton. It leaves the reader wanting to learn more about specific kings and wars/conflicts, as a lot of these dynastic summary texts do. Quite possibly the most interesting theme for me throughout was the use and power of various popes. Maybe I'm just naive to this part of history, but I did not realize just how much weight a pope carried then. The world and realms truly revolved around them until we get later into the dynasty when defiance and disorder sets in.

I also did not realize just how fragile France was in the beginning stages. The fact that many believed Hugh Capet to be a usurper for literal centuries speaks to the turmoil and diverse belief systems that resulted from the fractured realm post-Charlemagne. As with any dynasty, you need heirs, and that was the ultimate downfall of the Capetians. The constant tussling between counties and noblemen and the crown(s) would eventually lead to the hundred years war. This book provides the background and sets the stage for what will inevitably come later for France.

Overall, I give this one 5 stars as it does an excellent job of providing that foundation. She holistically approaches politcal, cultural, and religious events and how they intersect. I also appreciated how she tied medieval France to modern day where applicable. Showing that modernity truly is steeped in history.

[Chance W. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love France (for reasons I’m not really sure of) and it’s history. Having read broad strokes of French history it was nice to zoom in on a specific time period. Fraught with Louis’s and Philip’s, this covered the Capetian dynasty which ruled over France from the 900’s to the 1300’s. Many of the things that would come to embody France until the French Revolution happened during this era.

There were many interesting figures during this time but I particularly enjoyed learning about (and prompting further interest in) Louis the IX, the pious king who would go on to be canonized, and Eleanor of Aquitaine, who would be Queen of both France and England in her lifetime.

Also interesting was France’s religious life. Very much medieval Christianity (with all its pros and cons) was woven into the fabric of society, and in this period France would be one of the greatest contributors to the crusades, build some of the most iconic cathedrals such as Notre Dame, among other things. There were plenty of ugly spots though, considering the persecution of its Jewish population at times, Philip the IV’s destruction of the Knights Templar, and the intense persecution of the Waldensians (the Proto-Protestant group which preceded the reformation).

Great book covering the time period that was as enjoyable as it was informative!

[Paige]

DNF p80 (ch 6)

Too many names. Truly, just so many names.

7.24.24

[Arjun P · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent overview of France in the high middle ages, a time and place that exemplifies all the classic tropes of the medieval age: popes, gothic cathedrals, violence, crusades, chivalry.

[Gary Holtzman · Rating 5 out of 5]

(Note: I have no connection to this author or book. This is a genuine 5 star review.)

It is very hard to pull of a sweeping, grand history of an entire dynasty, especially one that ruled for as long as the Capetians: 12 generations. Yet Professor Firnhaber-Baker manages to do so with flair. The narrative is clear, readable, and easily accessible for those with little or no background in the subject. It's especially impressive given that virtually all of the kings were named either Louis or Philip, and there was at least one of each in virtually every generation.

This is not just a chronicle of kings, however. The women of the dynasty, many of whom were fascinating and impressive political actors in their own right, are brought vividly to life, as are a host of siblings, courtiers, and rival barons. She sticks to the evidence (the citations are exemplary), but even given the remoteness of the period the author does manage to explore the personalities and family relationships as best she can while remaining faithful to the sources.

She also does an excellent job of using the story of the dynasty to trace the process of state formation, going from the kingdom of West Francia, in which the king was only really lord of a small domain despite being nominal overlord of a much larger one, to a kingdom of France within roughly the borders we would recognize today, in which the king held more than nominal sway over the counts and dukes whose predecessors had been virtually independent. Along the way, we see how the throne went from alternating haphazardly between a couple of families through no clear process, into one with a well-defined hereditary succession, culminating in the final years of the dynasty with the legal innovation later known as Salic Law, in which females were excluded from the French throne, which would last for the rest of the history of monarchy in France.

The author is also very balanced in terms of showing the good, the bad, and the ugly of the kings and their queens. We learn about St. Louis' piety, but also his oppression of the Jews. Starting under the regency of his mother, Blanche of Castile, we see antisemitism take root in France with murderous consequences. She also discusses the Crusades, both against Muslims in the Middle East and "heretical" Christians within France itself.

Other subjects explored are feudalism, relations between the kings and the papacy, and of course the perennially complicated relationship with the dukes of Normandy turned kings of England and dukes of Gascony.

All of this must make the book sound hopelessly dense, which is why it was such a joy to find it so easy to follow and so hard to put down.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though England is the first country that comes to mind when most Western people think of the medieval ages, France was also a major player in European politics at the time. Although, if you saw France’s borders as they were in the late 900s, you might not have thought that such a little kingdom would grow to be so important. But when Hugh Capet came to power in 987, his line would enrich the kingdom and expand it borders over the next three centuries, turning it into an economic and military powerhouse and making the once-muddy town of Paris into a glittering European capital.

In House of Lilies, Professor Justine Firnhaber-Baker gives us a thorough biography of a dynasty, showing how they rose to power in the late 900s, ruled an expansive kingdom that changed the face of Europe, and then how it fell in the span of a generation in the early 1300s. Though the prose is clear throughout, it is sometimes– necessarily– dense, as Firnhaber-Baker does not skip generations or gloss over the contributions of women involved with the house of Capet. Eleanor of Aquitaine and Ingeborg of Denmark were, after all, dynamic women who influenced the politics of their day more than their male contemporaries would like to admit. And while there is plenty of room for supposition and guesswork, the author does not lay down opinion as fact or make assumptions about events. Instead, she lays out the evidence surrounding the event and explains its consequences as best she can. Thus the reader gets as clear of an idea of the history as possible, given the current sources.

Accuracy in history is important, so it’s appreciated when a historian doesn’t sugarcoat the facts or twist sources to suit their pet theories. Though Firnhaber-Baker is clearly fascinated by the Capetian dynasty, she hasn’t let her imagination run away with her or built any member of the dynasty up into an overblown figure unsupported by evidence.

Readers interested in medieval should be sure to add House of Lilies to their collections, as it provides such a detailed and fascinating account of a dynasty that is often overlooked in favor of their English brethren, but was just as influential and important.


Thank you to NetGalley and Basic Books for providing me with a free ebook in exchange for an honest review.

[Madeleine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Royal dynasties interest me. The older, the less attention in the general popular literature. In the case of France, it's no different.
Here I was extremely intrigued by the title House of Lilies and the book cover. I believe it will attract many readers.
In six sections, we get an overview from Hugo Capet to Charles IV and, in fact, to his successors, who were already the members of a different family.
I appreciated the clear family trees, making it easy to navigate the text. It was very readable to the point of making one lose awareness that one is not reading fiction.

The author has presented her expertise in a very accessible way.

Thank you to NetGalley and Basic Books for a free digital review copy. This is my honest review.

[lizard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 4/195: France

[Xavier Ruiz Trullols · Rating 4 out of 5]

Firnhaber-Baker brings the Capetian dynasty vividly to life, capturing their dramatic and complex story across four centuries. The book effectively conveys the flow of history, allowing readers to feel the impact of key events. Firnhaber-Baker’s writing is clear and engaging, making intricate historical details accessible even for those without a deep background in medieval history.

The book stands out for its thorough research and detailed coverage of the Capetians, including the often-overlooked contributions of women in the dynasty. The additional notes, maps, and family trees are invaluable for navigating the complex web of names and relationships, enhancing the reader's understanding of the period.

While the wealth of information can sometimes feel overwhelming, especially for readers new to the topic (like me), the book’s comprehensive approach ensures a deep and enriching exploration of France's medieval history.

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well-written and informative overview of the Capetian dynasty. Each chapter deals with a separate king, with Philip II, Louis IX and Philip IV getting several chapters each due to their greater impacts. Naturally there is a challenge with covering so broad a period, as it can be difficult to strike the balance between providing too much or too little - Firnhaber-Baker walks this tightrope well. Any reader will get a decent understanding of both the lives of the monarchs, and events that surrounded and shaped them. Highly recommended as an introduction to studying medieval French history.

[Alistair Harford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyable account of the Capetians. I have struggled to find many English sources on this era so will be digging into the notes on this one. Reads very well and is informative with a nice pace. I guess much like anywhere in Europe at this time.... Don't go to feasts or hunt

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are just too many Louises and Philips in the medieval kings of France to keep straight, but the underlying story is a great one.

[Vanessa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting but had several chapters that were very boring

[Tammie Stroud · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written, well researched, well narrated. I love women historians!

[Andrew Kramer · Rating 4 out of 5]

My knowledge of Capetian-era kings was thin. So, I welcomed this comprehensive book on that subject. House of Lillies started sluggishly as there were too many recountings of lineages. Once we get to the 12th century, the book becomes less reliant on genealogy and more about how the kings of France operated. It was fascinating to see how France evolved from a small territory around Paris to much of modern France. The chapters on the Battle of Bouvines, the massive persecution of Jews, and Louis IX's neurotic piety are particularly compelling.

I applaud the author for placing numerous maps and pedigree trees throughout the book. More authors should do that.

[Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Readability and length
Justine Firnhaber-Baker wrote House of Lilies as an approachable story, not just a dry, source-referencing heavy text that will put you off within second if you aren't already knee-deep in historical academia. She approaches historical figures as characters while still sticking meticulously to the known record, bringing to mind the efforts of other great historical non-fiction like Doris Kearns Goodwin's A Team of Rivals. And unlike A Team of Rivals, House of Lilies is short. I listened to it as an audiobook and its clocks in at just over 13 hours (contrast that with A Team of Rivals's 45 and it give you an idea of how much easier it is to commit to).

The clearest sign of her investment is that Firnhaber-Baker narrated the audiobook herself. Her passion for the period and her 'affection' for these flawed human beings who built the country that became France is unquestionable, and she drags us along for the ride with the same kind of entertainment value that might usually be found in a sitcom or a soap opera (alright, I might be pushing that one a bit, but read the section about Louis IX and Marguerite of Provence's 'hallway dates' and you'll get what I mean).

Hugh Capet to Philip I (987-1108)
I've been obsessed with French kings since I read, again and again, Jean-Benoît Durand's La chronologie des rois de France as a boy (an illustrated, educational children's book published by Flammarion as part of their 'Castor Doc' collection). As a history student, I became obsessed with the tragedy of the last Capetians after discovering Maurice Druon's Les Rois Maudits. But, while I knew a lot about these 'accursed kings' and a few outsized Capetians in the middle, the origins of the dynasty was a bigger question mark. Going into House of Lilies, I hoped to get a more complete view of the Capetians. On that front, it succeeded beyond my wildest dreams.

Of those early, less-well known Capetians, Hugh Capet always fascinated me the most. Little is widely known about him, despite being the first of France's third dynasty. This is partly because he was straddled with an unfortunate reputation: being weak.

House of Lilies does an excellent job showing how later Carolingian rulers grappled with the lost Carolingian empire, now divided between 'royal' West Francia and 'imperial' East Francia. Firnhaber-Baker breaks down some of the myths surrounding the Capetian succession, showing that it was true that the West Francians chose Hugh Capet to avoid appointing Charles of Lorraine as king, but it was false to say that Hugh was a weak king. On the 'national' scale of future France, yes: Hugh was weak, never possessing the military or financial weight the nation-state that would succeed his kingdom would achieve. But on the scale of a medieval nobleman, Hugh was powerful, possessing valuable lands in Île-de-France and a proven warrior to boot. But he had no dreams of reforming the Carolingian empire, favouring instead his new status of 'first-among-equals', the one who organised the wider alliances between the powerful Francian nobility and the emerging Church. So, yes: there was truth that Hugh was chosen over someone else, but the charge of 'weakness'? That doesn't stick. What Hugh did beyond that was set the model his successors would follow: crowning his son as co-king so his succession wouldn't be questioned, establishing good relations with a strengthening papacy, and beginning the process of centralising decision-making in Paris.

Succeeding Hugh Capet between 996 and 1108 were Robert II, Henry I and Philip I. None of them are well-remembered by history, yet they all had interesting reigns, Robert in particular as the first king to run afoul of the clergy during a time of religious reform. During his reign, as the Peace of God movement started to 'protest' feudal wars, Robert II became the first Capetian to be excommunicated, after trying to marry his second cousin, the first successful deployment of such a threat against a king by the pope. This first blow to Capetian prestige was followed by Henry I's attempts to interfere in his vassals' domains, which empowered William of Normandy (paving the way for him to become the Conqueror of England, a union which haunted France for centuries), and Philip I's alienation of the powerful Blois and Angevin, who tied their fortunes more closely to the emerging Anglo-Norman power as a result. This is perhaps the only time the charge of weakness could stick.

The Capetians vs. the Angevins (1108-1223)
After the disastrous reigns of Henry and Philip, this could have been the moment when the new Capetian kingdom ended as just another footnote of history. But this was when two unbelievably competent kings came to power: Louis VI the 'Fat' and Philip II 'Augustus'.

Have you ever wondered where the traditional imagery of the French monarchy comes from, like the fleur-de-lys or the Oriflamme de Saint-Denis? House of Lilies chronicles the history of the familiar royal regalia introduced by the Capetians. Louis VI might be remembered as the first 'strong' Capetian king, a talented warrior who proved more than a match for the outsized ambitions of his Angevin and Blois vassals and resisted the Anglo-Norman challenge by playing William the Conqueror's heirs against each other, but he was also responsible for the adoption of these symbols, showing that he was also a skilled political communicator. As religious orders were engaging in the symbol reform of the Gothic era, Louis hopped onto the bandwagon, using religious symbols like the fleur-de-lys to associate his rule with the divine, or the Oriflamme as the king's war banner to unite his vassals against the greater 'outside' threat of the Anglo-Normans. Just as St. Louis and Philip IV after him, Louis VI started the Capetian trend of mastering 'PR'.

It's also here that Firnhaber-Baker starts using a narrative trick to spruce up her non-fiction in a very 'storyteller' way: in media res accounts as chapter openings. The first time was when she chronicled the Christmas feast when Louis VII tried to rouse the nobility for the Second Crusade. These well-chronicled events could be accused of blurring the line between fiction and non-fiction, but they make figures like Louis VII feel like characters rather than distant historical figures. These personal moments mean that, when something major happens, I actually felt for them as human beings. This goes for tragedy, such as Louis VI and Queen Adelaide of Savoy losing their eldest son in a joy-ride accident in the heart of Paris, or Louis VII's divorce from Eleonor of Aquitaine resulting in her vindictive decision to remarry to the King of England, forming an English empire even more powerful than the Conqueror's had been. But it also goes for Philip Augustus's victory at the Battle of Bouvines, the definitive end of the Angevin Empire and the firm establishment of medieval France. For a king who had suffered so much, caught between his powerful Angevin enemies, an ever-more powerful Church, and whatever the hell happened on his second wedding night (seriously, it's killing me. What was so bad that he felt the need to repudiate his wife the next morning?), the victory at Bouvines can only be the sort of catharsis dreams and epic fantasy is made of.

Paris and the Capetians
Prior to Philip Augustus, the Capetians were referred to as 'Kings of the Francs'. After the Battle of Bouvines, they became 'Kings of France'. So the charge that the Capetians 'invented' France is no lie. Freed from the existential Anglo-Norman-Angevin threat, the Capetians turned their attention to building an actual state. With the fleur-de-lys, the Oriflamme and the title now covered, Firnhaber-Baker turned to another French symbol built under the Capetians: Paris.

I loved the time spent on Paris, be it the building of the Palais de la Cité and Notre-Dame, the development of the University (causing no end of trouble for future kings and queens), or the fortifications built by Philip Augustus as his war with the Angevins intensified. But my favourite are the construction of the Sainte-Chapelle and the fate of Paris's important Jewish population, both prominent moments of the most revered Capetian's reign: Saint Louis is still widely remembered for taking judicial power from the nobility and turning it into a royal privilege (the visual of him dispensing justice from beneath a tree in a field is still used to depict medieval idealism). By the time of his canonisation in 1297, Louis IX had become the ideal for all subsequent kings to live up to, the reference that would determine elegibility to rule for the next two dynasties, and a revered figure that finally allowed the Capetians to shed Charlemagne's long shadow.

But few know just who, or how deeply unpopular, Louis IX actually was.

He practically bankrupted France to bring the crown of thorns alleged to have been worn by Christ (the one that still resides inside Notre-Dame) to Paris, housing it in the Saint-Chapelle he had built for the purpose (the only part of Palais de la Cité that survives to this day) in what Firnhaber-Baker frames as an otherwise masterful medieval PR exercise. The presence of the crown of thorns in Paris turned the capital into a 'tourist' hotspot in medieval France as pilgrims came from all over Europe to see, at the very least, the Sainte-Chapelle, continuing the development of Paris which Philip Augustus had already started with his fortifications into the capital it would eventually become. With its proximity to their most valuable relic, the Palais de la Cité became the Capetians' primary residence for the remainder of their reign.

But Paris was also well-known for one of its key demographics, one that run afoul of St. Louis's extreme piety. Jewish persecutions were nothing new, and St. Louis wasn't the first Capetian to go after them. But the reasons differed. Where Philip II and Louis VIII had persecuted the Jews, their motives had always been more political and financial than religious (as non-Christians, the Jews were permitted to loan money with interest, making them a wealthier banking system than Christian moneylenders); Philip and Louis often targeted them but gave them the ability to 'buy back' their properties in order to fill the treasury (although Philip kept the most valuable lands, such as the one where the famous Halles of Paris now stand). Saint Louis really went for them, enforcing the religious restriction on moneylending (practicalities be damned), releasing any of his subjects from honouring the debts they owed the Jews, enacting laws that gave them the same status as serfs, and expelling them from France to confiscate their property to fund his Crusades. Most infamously though was another of St. Louis's mediveal PR moves: the Trial of the Talmud in 1240. Prior to Louis' reign, Jewish scholars had been a prominent part of Parisian intellectual life. Christian scholars would debate theology with them, especially with Christianity deep in the throes of institutional and theological reform. The Trial found the Talmud guilty of recording blasphemy against Christ and St. Louis ordered all copies found in Paris to be burnt.

Before reading House of Lilies, I had known about several famous Parisian landmarks, like the Saint-Chapelle and the Halles, but never the history behind them. I was familiar with the history of Jewish persecution, but not how linked to Paris's development they were, nor how instrumental to its intensity the pious, 'just' St. Louis was.

The 'prophesised' end of the Lilies
As I read further into House of Lilies, I was curious how Firnhaber-Baker would handle the curse of the Templars, especially since it has been proven to have been an invention of later chroniclers and not contemporary to the Capetians. She had already mention some prophecies the Capetians were recorded to have been concerned (such as the prophesised return of the Carolingians). After all, the lure of prophecy is compelling and there is a reason why belief in it remains so embedded these days. Fortunately, she barely mentions the curse. Instead, she shows that the Capetians's end just came because they ran out of luck. And all because of the first, biggest reform they brought to France: while Hugh Capet's decision to crow his eldest son alongside himself to ensure his succession didn't invent hereditary inheritance, it established primogeniture to France, a reform that allowed the Capetians to rule uninterrupted for over 400 years.

From Hugh Capet to Charles IV, there were successful kings and weak ones, the most well-known having benefited from coming to the throne early and reigning for several decades. It would have been easy for House of Lilies to skip over the short reigns in between, neglecting them as previous historians might have done as 'unimportant'. Thankfully, it doesn't. Every king's trials and tribulations are covered, no one is left behind. And they all succeeded in one major 'duty': they all gave the kingdom sons. Until they didn't: after Philip IV had probably the greatest luck of a Capetian king (marrying the Queen of Navarre, an alliance with England through marriage, taking the papacy 'hostage', breaking the remaining Crusader orders, and establishing a powerful state indepentent of feudal whims), his three healthy sons failed to continue the legacy. Louis X wasn't the first Capetian to have a short reign, but unlike Louis VIII or Philip III, he left the kingdom without a son. Philip V introduced the rule of male primogeniture to ensure his own accession over his niece, but his own son predeceased him, and Charles IV failed to have a son altogether while struggling with a resurgent English threat.

House of Lilies finishes on a slightly 'what if' chapter, chronicling the fates of the branches of the Capetian family that were looked over in favour of the Valois, such as Joan of Navaree and her son, the unfortunately named Charles 'the Bad' who would challenge the Valois during the Hundred Years' War, or the mysterious Giannino Baglioni, the Italian adventurer who claimed to be John I, the five-day-old son born posthumously to Louis X (if you want to see a fictional retelling of that story, I really recommend reading Les Rois Maudits). The Capetians' legacy lived on until the very end of the French monarchy, when the Revolution overthrew Louis XVI in 1793 (also a direct descendant of St. Louis and, by extension, of Hugh Capet) and they renamed him 'Citizen Louis Capet' before putting him on trial for treason. Even 400 years after the death of Charles IV, their legacy lived on.

Final thoughts
House of Lilies is not just an excellent non-fiction book that successfully makes its dense subject matter compact and exhaustive at the same time, while also making for enjoyable reading in its own right, it also works hard to break through the difficult, twisting ties left behind by centuries of historiography. Several myths surrounding French kings are broken down and disproved (like the 'weakness' of the early Capetians), while kings who might not have gotten any attention from other historian because the shortness of their reigns, or the outsiwed importance of their successors or predecessors, might have qualified them as being 'unimportant'.

House of Lilies dismisses none of them, giving them all the same treatment, looking at them as faillible human beings as well as historical figures and trying to see them through the lens of their time. As a result, it struck the right balance between entertainment and pedagogical value. I'm certain more 'respectable' academians (especially in France) will frown and tut-tut at this 'Americanisation' of historical summary, but I applaud it with both hands, cheers on my lips, and I would encourage more historians to follow this trend.

[Andrew Balog · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm really disappointed by this. It just...wasn't written well. Several important events are quickly cited, and the ramifications of them are used to discuss whatever was happening at that point. But what were those important events? An important church council in the 990s is mentioned, but we are never actually told what the council was about or what it decided! And this was (allegedly) a cornerstone event of early Capet rule!

As far as the other information included, it also seemed very confusing as far as what information was included and what was left out. It felt like the author got to the sons of Philip IV and decided to rush and wrap up everything as fast as possible. What did it mean for France when his sons died out, and control transferred to the House of Valois? Why was this important? We're left with "Charles IV died, the end", with no additional insight or commentary added. Was there a page limit she couldn't go past and felt the need to just cut everything off?