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Tomb at Basilica of Saint-Denis, the traditional burial place of French Kings.
- 1137-1180: King of France
- AKA: Louis the Younger
Louis VII "le Jeune", Roi de France, King of France, was born 1120 in Paris, France to Louis VI of France (1081-1137) and Adèle de Savoie (1092-1154) and died 18 September 1180 of unspecified causes. He married Eleanor of Aquitaine (1122-1204) 22 July 1137 JL in Bordeaux, France. He married Constance of Castile (c1140-1160) 1154 JL . He married Alice de Champagne (1140-1206) 13 November 1160 JL .
Biography[]
Louis VII, also known as Louis the Younger, was the King of France from 1137 until 1180. He was born on 1120 in Paris, France, and was the son of King Louis VI of France and Adelaide of Maurienne (AKA: Adele de Savoy).
Louis VII came to the throne at the age of 17, upon the death of his father, Louis VI. He was immediately faced with challenges from rebellious barons and conflicts with his powerful neighbor, the Duke of Normandy. Despite these challenges, Louis VII managed to maintain stability in France and establish good relations with the Pope.
One of the most significant events during Louis VII's reign was his participation in the Second Crusade. In 1147, he set out for the Holy Land with his wife, Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine, and a large army. However, the Crusade was a disaster, with the French forces suffering significant losses and Louis VII ultimately returning to France empty-handed.
Throughout his reign, Louis VII worked to strengthen the power of the French monarchy and expand its territory. He also supported the growth of French towns and commerce, particularly in the regions of Champagne and Languedoc.
Louis VII died on September 18, 1180, at the age of 60, and was succeeded by his son, Philip II of France. Despite his failures in the Second Crusade, Louis VII is remembered as a competent and effective ruler who played a significant role in shaping the history of France.
Early life and education[]
Louis was born in 1120,[1] the second son of Louis VI of France and Adelaide of Maurienne.[2] The early education of the young Louis anticipated an ecclesiastical career. As a result, he became well learned and exceptionally devout, but his life course changed decisively after the accidental death of his older brother Philip in 1131, when Louis unexpectedly became the heir to the throne of France.[1] In October 1131, his father had him anointed and crowned by Pope Innocent II in Reims Cathedral.[3][4] He spent much of his youth in Saint-Denis, where he built a friendship with the abbot Suger, an advisor to his father who also served Louis during his early years as king.
Family Life[]
Louis' marriage was annulled in 1152 after no male heir was produced. Immediately after their annulment, Eleanor married Henry Plantagenet, Duke of Normandy and Count of Anjou, to whom she conveyed Aquitaine, which following Henry's ascension to the throne created an Angevin Empire. Later, Louis supported Henry's rebellious sons to foment further disunity in the Angevin realms. Louis went on to marry his second cousin, Constance of Castile, but still failed to produce a male heir. Constance died in childbirth with their second daughter. His third marriage to Adela of Champagne, five weeks after Constance's death, was finally able to gave him a son, Philip. Louis died in 1180 and was succeeded by his son Philip II.
1st Marriage: Eleanor of Aquitaine[]
Louis VII also had a tumultuous relationship with his first wife, Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine (1122-1204). The couple had two daughters together, but their marriage was eventually annulled in 1152, after which Eleanor went on to marry Henry II of England. She who was one of the most powerful women of her time. She was the daughter and heiress of the Duke of Aquitaine and was married to Louis VII in 1137, shortly after he became king. Eleanor was known for her beauty, intelligence, and strong personality, and she played an important role in French politics during her marriage to Louis VII. However, the marriage was annulled in 1152 due to the couple's inability to produce a male heir, and Eleanor went on to marry King Henry II of England.
- Marie (1145 – 11 March 1198), married Henry I of Champagne[5]
- Alix (1151–1197/1198), married Theobald V of Blois[5]
2nd Marriage: Constance of Castile[]
After his marriage to Eleanor was annulled, Louis VII married Constance of Castile (c1140-1160) in 1154. Constance was the daughter of King Alfonso VII of Castile, and the marriage was arranged in an attempt to strengthen the alliance between France and Castile. However, the marriage was short-lived, and Constance died in childbirth in 1160, leaving Louis VII without a male heir.
Henry the Young King was the only English king since the Norman Conquest to be crowned during his father's reign, but was frustrated by his father's refusal to grant him meaningful autonomous power. He died, aged 28, six years before his father, leaving his brother Richard to become the next king.
- Margaret (1158 – August/September 1197),[6] married (1) Henry the Young King;[6] (2) King Béla III of Hungary. Henry was the only English king since the Norman Conquest to be crowned during his father's reign, but was frustrated by his father's refusal to grant him meaningful autonomous power. He died, aged 28, six years before his father, leaving his brother Richard to become the next king.
- Alys (4 October 1160 – c. 1220),[7] engaged to Richard I of England; she married William IV, Count of Ponthieu
3rd Marriage: Adèle of Champagne[]
Following the death of Constance of Castile, Louis VII married Alice de Champagne (1140-1206) in 1160. Adèle was the daughter of Count Theobald II of Champagne, and the marriage was seen as a political alliance between France and Champagne. Adèle was known for her piety and good works, and she had a positive influence on Louis VII's reign. Adèle died in 1206, long after Louis VII's death.
- Philip II Augustus - Successor King of France
- Agnes (1171 – after 1204),[8] married 1) Alexius II Comnenus (1180–1183), 2) Andronicus I Comnenus (1183–1185), then 3) Theodore Branas (1204)[9]
Children
| Name | Birth | Death | Joined with |
| Marie Capet (1145-1198) | 1145 | 11 March 1198 | Henri Ier de Champagne (c1126-1181) |
| Alice Capet (1150-1199) | 1150 | 1199 | Thibaut V de Blois (1130-1191) |
| Name | Birth | Death | Joined with |
| Marguerite of France (1158-c1197) | November 1157 Acre | 1197 | Henry of Normandy (1155-1183) Béla III of Hungary (1148-1196) |
| Adelaide Capet (1160-1160) | |||
| Name | Birth | Death | Joined with |
| Philip II of France (1165-1223) | 21 August 1165 Gonesse | 14 July 1223 Mantes-la-Jolie | Isabelle de Hainaut (1170-1190) Ingeborg of Denmark (1175-1236) Agnes von Andechs (c1180-1201) |
| Alix de Vexin (c1170-c1220) | 1170 | 1220 | William IV of Ponthieu (1179-1221) |
| Agnes Capet (1171-1240) | 1171 | 1240 | Alexios II Komnenos (1169-1183) Andronikos I Komnenos (c1118-1185) Theodoros Branas (-aft1218) |
Siblings[]
| Name | Birth | Death | Joined with |
| Philippe Capet (1116-1131) | 29 August 1116 | 13 October 1131 Paris | |
| Louis VII de France (1120-1180) | 1120 Paris, France | 18 September 1180 | Eleanor of Aquitaine (1122-1204) Constance of Castile (c1140-1160) Alice de Champagne (1140-1206) |
| Henry Capet (1121-1175) | |||
| Hugues Capet (c1122-?) | |||
| Robert I de Dreux (c1123-1188) | 1123 | 11 October 1188 | Agnes de Garlande (1122-1143) Hawise of Salisbury (1118-1152) Agnès de Baudement (1130-1204) |
| Constance Capet (c1124-1176) | 1124 | 1176 | Eustache IV de Blois (c1129-1153) Raymond V de Toulouse (1134-1194) |
| Philip Capet (1125-1161) | |||
| Pierre de Courtenay (1126-1183) | September 1126 | 10 April 1183 | Elizabeth de Courtenay (1127-1205) |
| Name | Birth | Death | Joined with |
| Isabelle Capet (c1105-bef1175) | |||
Ancestry Trees[]
See Also[]
- wikipedia:en:Louis VII of France
- Louis VII, Roi des Francs at thePeerage
- Capetian Kings - Foundation for Medieval Genealogy
- Louis VII of France - Geni.com
- Louis VII of France at Find A Grave
- 66686 on WARGS Baschi ancestry; says he was "bur. Nôtre-Dame-de-Barbeau pres Fontainebleau" and in relation to Eleanor "m. Bordeaux 22/25 July 1137, div. Baugency-sur-Loire 18 March 1152"
Contemporary Resources[]
The best contemporary resources about the life of King Louis VII of France include:
- The Chronicle of Geoffrey of Vigeois - Geoffrey of Vigeois was a contemporary chronicler who lived during the reign of Louis VII. His chronicle provides a detailed account of the political and military events of Louis VII's reign, including his participation in the Second Crusade.
- The History of William of Tyre - William of Tyre was a 12th-century historian who wrote extensively about the Crusades. His work provides valuable insights into the political and religious context of Louis VII's involvement in the Second Crusade.
- The Letters of Peter the Venerable - Peter the Venerable was a Benedictine abbot who corresponded with Louis VII during his reign. His letters provide a glimpse into the religious and intellectual life of the period, as well as Louis VII's relationship with the Church.
- The Life of Eleanor of Aquitaine by Alison Weir - While not a contemporary source, this biography of Louis VII's first wife provides valuable insights into their relationship, as well as the political and cultural context of the period.
- The Life and Times of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux by James Cotter Morison - This biography of Saint Bernard, who was a key figure in Louis VII's reign, provides insights into the religious and intellectual life of the period, as well as the role of the Church in politics.
References[]
- ^ a b Bardot & Marvin 2018, p. 2.
- ^ Dunbabin 1985, p. 383.
- ^ Robinson 1996, p. 22.
- ^ Brown 1992, p. 43.
- ^ a b Kelly 1991, p. 126.
- ^ a b Baldwin 2005, p. 9.
- ^ Warren 1978, p. 26.
- ^ Warren 1977, p. 222.
- ^ Gislebertus of Mons 2005, p. 52.
Louis VII de France (1120-1180) Born: 1120 Died: 18 September 1180
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| Regnal titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Louis VI |
King of France 1131–1180 with Louis VI (1131–1137) Philip II (1179–1180) |
Succeeded by Philip II |
| French nobility | ||
| Preceded by Eleanor as sole ruler |
Duke of Aquitaine 1137–1152 with Eleanor |
Succeeded by Eleanor as sole ruler |
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