Maison de Valois
Des cendres de la France capétienne, les Valois forgèrent un royaume de splendeur et de discorde – régnant à travers la peste, la guerre et la Renaissance, jusqu'à ce que l'ambition et l'effusion de sang mènent leur lignée royale à une fin dramatique.
"Qui voudra verra"
Quick Facts
- Years Active
- 1328–1589
- Founder
- Philip VI of Valois
- Region
- Europe
- Religion
- Catholic
Notable Rulers
Philip VI of Valois
King of France
Reign: 1328 – 1350
FounderPhilip VI, the inaugural monarch of the House of Valois, inherited a kingdom marred by uncertainty and external threat. ...
Charles V 'the Wise'
King of France
Reign: 1364 – 1380
Charles V, remembered by contemporaries and later historians as “the Wise,” emerges from the records as a ruler of contr...
Louis XI
King of France
Reign: 1461 – 1483
Louis XI, known to posterity and to his contemporaries as “the Universal Spider,” remains one of the most enigmatic and ...
Francis I
King of France
Reign: 1515 – 1547
Francis I emerges in historical accounts as the embodiment of Renaissance kingship, yet his complex persona resists simp...
Catherine de' Medici
Queen Consort and Regent of France
Reign: 1547 – 1589
Catherine de’ Medici, born into the illustrious Medici banking dynasty of Florence, became one of the most formidable po...
Documentary Chapters
Timeline
Accession of Philip VI
Philip VI, nephew of the last Capetian king, is crowned King of France, establishing the House of Valois as the new royal dynasty.
Outbreak of the Hundred Years’ War
Edward III of England claims the French throne, initiating the protracted conflict that will define much of the Valois era.
Battle of Crécy
The French suffer a devastating defeat at the hands of the English, exposing weaknesses in the Valois military and feudal levies.
Capture of John II at Poitiers
King John II of France is captured by the English, leading to a national crisis and the regency of his son, the future Charles V.
Coronation of Charles V
Charles V is crowned, embarking on a reign marked by administrative reform, military recovery, and the consolidation of Valois power.
Coronation of Charles VII at Reims
With the support of Joan of Arc, Charles VII is crowned at Reims, marking the turning point in the Hundred Years’ War.
Annexation of Burgundy
Louis XI incorporates the Duchy of Burgundy into the royal domain, significantly expanding the territory under direct Valois control.
Accession of Francis I
Francis I ascends the throne, ushering in the French Renaissance and a new era of artistic and cultural achievement.
Ordinance of Villers-Cotterêts
Francis I issues a royal decree mandating the use of French in official documents, shaping the linguistic identity of the nation.
St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre
Thousands of Huguenots are killed in Paris during a wave of religious violence, orchestrated in part by Catherine de’ Medici.
Assassination of Henry III
The last Valois king is assassinated, leaving France without a direct male heir and ending the dynasty’s rule.
Accession of Henry IV
Henry of Navarre, a distant cousin, becomes King of France as Henry IV, founding the Bourbon dynasty and bringing the Valois era to a close.
Connected Across The Archives
Explore specific connections to other archives—civilizations, conflicts, companies, and treaties that share history with this dynasty.
Civilization Archive
(4)Anglo-Saxon Civilization
The House of Valois rose to prominence after the Anglo-Saxon period, reshaping European political landscapes and influencing the course of English history.
Byzantine Empire
The decline of the Byzantine Empire during the Valois dynasty's reign altered European power structures, affecting diplomatic and military alliances.
Mughal Civilization
During the Valois era, the Mughal Empire's prosperity fostered significant trade routes and cultural exchanges, enriching European knowledge and commerce.
Ottoman Empire
The Valois era coincided with the Ottoman Empire's rise, prompting strategic alliances and rivalries that reshaped European geopolitical strategies.
Conflict Archive
(2)Hundred Years' War
The House of Valois' involvement in the Hundred Years' War was pivotal, as their struggle with England determined France's national identity and territorial integrity.
Italian Wars
The Valois dynasty's participation in the Italian Wars reshaped Renaissance Italy's political boundaries, affecting the power dynamics among European states.
Treaty Archive
(2)Peace of Augsburg
Under the Valois, the Peace of Augsburg was signed, marking a crucial step towards religious coexistence and altering the balance of power in Europe.
Treaty of Cateau-Cambrésis
The Treaty of Cateau-Cambrésis, signed by the Valois, ended the Italian Wars, curtailing French ambitions and stabilizing European borders.
Explore Related Archives
Royal dynasties shaped civilizations, waged wars, and built empires that influenced modern commerce. Continue exploring the interconnected tapestry of history.
