From the Capetians to the Valois: Rediscovering the Medieval Kingdom of France”

France, as it is known today, did not exist as a unified nation-state during medieval times. The region that now encompasses France was a patchwork of different territories and kingdoms with their own distinct cultures, languages, and political systems.

“The Frankish kingdom, established by Clovis in the 5th century, laid the foundations for the future French state and provided the basis for the unity of the kingdom in the Middle Ages.”

Georges Duby, French Historian and Medievalist
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During the medieval period, which spanned from the 5th to the 15th centuries, the territory that is now France was part of the Carolingian Empire, the feudal realm of the Frankish kings.

After the collapse of the Carolingian Empire, various feudal lords, such as the dukes of Normandy, Aquitaine, and Burgundy, emerged as powerful rulers with their own domains.

“The unification of the Frankish kingdoms under Charlemagne’s rule in the 8th and 9th centuries created a powerful and centralized state that laid the groundwork for the French monarchy.”

John Julius Norwich, British Historian

In the 10th and 11th centuries, the Capetian dynasty rose to power in what is now the region of Île-de-France, with Paris as its center of power. The Capetian kings gradually expanded their territory through a combination of conquest, marriage alliances, and diplomacy, but their authority was initially limited to the Île-de-France and its immediate surroundings.

Hugo Capet Medieval king Crowned

During the medieval period, France also experienced significant social and cultural changes. Feudalism, a hierarchical system of land ownership and obligations between lords and vassals, was a dominant social and economic structure.

The Catholic Church held considerable influence over religious and social matters, and monastic orders played a prominent role in the spread of Christianity and the development of education, art, and architecture.

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“The rise of the Capetian dynasty in the 10th and 11th centuries marked the beginning of a new era in French history, as the kings of France consolidated their power and expanded their authority over the nobility.”

Robert Fawtier, French Historian and Medievalist

In addition, medieval France saw the emergence of vibrant urban centers, such as Paris, Chartres, and Rouen, which grew in importance as centers of trade, commerce, and culture. These cities often gained autonomy and developed their own municipal governments, which had a significant impact on the political and social landscape of the time.

It’s important to note that the borders and political structures of the region that is now France were constantly changing during the medieval period due to wars, alliances, marriages, and other political and social developments.

The concept of a unified French nation with a centralized government, a common language, and a distinct culture did not fully develop until later in history, particularly during the process of centralization and consolidation of power that took place during the Renaissance and beyond.


Suptuary Laws Royal Colour Blue Coronation of Louis VIII and Blanche of Castille

Timeline of Events that led to the Creation of Modern France



481 CE: Clovis I becomes king of the Franks and unites many of the Frankish tribes under his rule.

768 CE: Charlemagne becomes king of the Franks and expands the Frankish kingdom, eventually establishing the Carolingian Empire.

987 CE: Hugh Capet becomes king of the Franks, beginning the Capetian dynasty, which ruled France for centuries.

1066 CE: William the Conqueror, a Norman duke, becomes King of England, and the Norman Conquest leads to increased contact between France and England.

1180 CE: Philip II, also known as Philip Augustus, becomes king of France and begins to consolidate royal power, establishing the French state as a strong, centralized monarchy.

1337-1453 CE: The Hundred Years’ War between France and England. This conflict contributed to the development of a sense of national identity in France.

1429 CE: Joan of Arc helps lead the French to victory at the Siege of Orleans during the Hundred Years’ War.

1453 CE: The end of the Hundred Years’ War with the French reclaiming most of their territory and establishing a more unified French state.

1494-1559 CE: The Italian Wars, a series of conflicts between France and various Italian states and kingdoms, further cemented France’s status as a major European power.

1598 CE: The Edict of Nantes is signed, granting religious tolerance to French Protestants and helping to establish France as a more tolerant and diverse society.

These events, among others, helped to shape the modern French state and its identity.

“The Hundred Years’ War, fought between France and England in the 14th and 15th centuries, was a defining moment in French history, as it solidified the French monarchy’s control over its territory and established France as a major European power.”

Jonathan Sumption, British Historian

“The formation of medieval France was a complex process, shaped by a combination of political, social, and economic factors, as well as by the influence of powerful individuals such as Charlemagne, Hugh Capet, and Philip IV the Fair.”

William Chester Jordan, American Historian and Medievalist.