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House of Lilies: The Dynasty That Made Medieval France
The definitive history of the Capetians, 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.
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.
448 pages, Hardcover
First published March 28, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
June 8, 2024
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.
March 4, 2024
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.
* 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.
May 6, 2024
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.
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.
January 8, 2024
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.
September 28, 2024
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.
April 27, 2024
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.
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.
Shelved as 'dnf'
July 25, 2024DNF p80 (ch 6)
Too many names. Truly, just so many names.
7.24.24
Too many names. Truly, just so many names.
7.24.24
September 14, 2024
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.
July 21, 2024
(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.
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.
May 27, 2024
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.
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.
March 24, 2024
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.
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.
September 6, 2024
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.
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.
July 28, 2024
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.
August 25, 2024
Interesting but had several chapters that were very boring
August 22, 2024
It has always mystified me why there are no single-volume histories of France. It is, of course, a big subject, but so is the history of England or China or Russia, and single volume histories exist for all of these nations. House of Lilies is not a single-volume history, but it does help to explain why such a history does not exist.
House of Lilies tells the story of the Capetian dynasty – an unbroken line of monarchs who ruled “France” from the tenth to the fourteenth centuries. It is not a history of France itself, partially because it is concerned almost entirely with the royal line, but partially because if we define France as the nation ruled by the French king, this didn’t exist in more than theory either at the beginning or end of the tale. Those of us well-versed in mediaeval English history will be well aware of the concept of feudalism, where nobles held land in trust for their monarch and governed it in his (or occasionally her) interests. In England, the feudal system was a fact. Occasionally, a king would break the contract and prompt a rebellion, but even if this led to a new monarch, the system itself would remain intact – at least until the mid-fourteenth century when the economics of Western Europe were shattered by the Black Death. In France, feudalism was a tradition more honoured in the breach than the observance: even those nobles who were nominally vassals of the king (and it was always a king) were unlikely to honour that contract. As a result, mediaeval French history is much more about kings fighting nobles and attempting to extend their sphere of influence – usually only to throw it away by going on an ill-fated crusade in the Middle East.
Firnhaber-Baker takes the story up with the legacy of Charlemagne – the Frankish king who gave us the concept of France, before going onto Hugh Capet – first of the Capetian line. Each chapter then, broadly speaking, tells the story of one of his successors, until the house collapsed without issue at the beginning of the Hundred Years War (the collapse being one of its causes). It’s a fairly focused book – we learn little of life away from the centres of power – and it’s probably easier to understand if you know also the history of England and Burgundy at the time. With these limitations accepted, it is a very readable whistlestop tour through the formative years of the French kingdom. The author has a direct, comfortable style and her interest in the roles of queens in a very masculine age, whilst something of a modern obsession, does add to the understanding of the period. It’s just ironic that this is in the context of a book focused on history from the perspective of a royal dynasty – which is a fairly old-fashioned way of telling a national story.
If you are holding out for an accessible single-volume French history, I’d say it’s probably not worth waiting. If you visit Britanny or Languedoc, you’ll find peoples who even now see themselves more as victims of rapacious French expansion than actually French, and if they don’t see their history as part of a nation story you have to wonder where such a history would come from. In the meantime, this volume gives a good overview of a critical period in the story.
House of Lilies tells the story of the Capetian dynasty – an unbroken line of monarchs who ruled “France” from the tenth to the fourteenth centuries. It is not a history of France itself, partially because it is concerned almost entirely with the royal line, but partially because if we define France as the nation ruled by the French king, this didn’t exist in more than theory either at the beginning or end of the tale. Those of us well-versed in mediaeval English history will be well aware of the concept of feudalism, where nobles held land in trust for their monarch and governed it in his (or occasionally her) interests. In England, the feudal system was a fact. Occasionally, a king would break the contract and prompt a rebellion, but even if this led to a new monarch, the system itself would remain intact – at least until the mid-fourteenth century when the economics of Western Europe were shattered by the Black Death. In France, feudalism was a tradition more honoured in the breach than the observance: even those nobles who were nominally vassals of the king (and it was always a king) were unlikely to honour that contract. As a result, mediaeval French history is much more about kings fighting nobles and attempting to extend their sphere of influence – usually only to throw it away by going on an ill-fated crusade in the Middle East.
Firnhaber-Baker takes the story up with the legacy of Charlemagne – the Frankish king who gave us the concept of France, before going onto Hugh Capet – first of the Capetian line. Each chapter then, broadly speaking, tells the story of one of his successors, until the house collapsed without issue at the beginning of the Hundred Years War (the collapse being one of its causes). It’s a fairly focused book – we learn little of life away from the centres of power – and it’s probably easier to understand if you know also the history of England and Burgundy at the time. With these limitations accepted, it is a very readable whistlestop tour through the formative years of the French kingdom. The author has a direct, comfortable style and her interest in the roles of queens in a very masculine age, whilst something of a modern obsession, does add to the understanding of the period. It’s just ironic that this is in the context of a book focused on history from the perspective of a royal dynasty – which is a fairly old-fashioned way of telling a national story.
If you are holding out for an accessible single-volume French history, I’d say it’s probably not worth waiting. If you visit Britanny or Languedoc, you’ll find peoples who even now see themselves more as victims of rapacious French expansion than actually French, and if they don’t see their history as part of a nation story you have to wonder where such a history would come from. In the meantime, this volume gives a good overview of a critical period in the story.
August 13, 2024
An enjoyable and engaging read about the Capet dynasty, from Hugh Capet who was elected king of France in 987, to the three sons of Philip IV in 1328, none of whom lived past middle age nor who had a son that lived beyond a few days, thus ending the dynasty (as the rule that daughters could not be made sovereign had been recently introduced). In the meantime France grew from the relatively small royal domain around Paris, to include nearly all the former far more powerful duchies and counties that make up modern France. At the height of the story, France was the wealthiest and foremost “Christian” country in Europe at the time. By the end of it, the scene is set for the Hundred Years War with England.
This history focuses on the royal (usupers?) family and the high and mighty, and not on the everyday concerns of the common people - trade, commerce, technology etc. - and so in a sense is one dimensional, and doesn’t really hold life-lessons because these people were mainly interested in subjugating one another. Lots of Philips and Joans and Louises, can get confusing who is related to whom and how. Lots of characters: inter alia, Philip Augustus, Saint Louis (IX), Philip the Fair, Eleanor of Acquitaine, Saint Bernard, and Edward II, the Templars, and various popes. Need a good map of France and its counties and duchies at the time.
The author writes very engagingly, often throwing in a woman’s and humanitarian perspective: “ . . even the liveliest of mothers feels close to death at the loss of a child.” p84 (on Queen Adelaide losing son Philip in a riding accident in 1131.)
The author isn’t prescriptive in her telling of events - perhaps this happened, perhaps he did this because of that - she doesn’t mind telling us there’s a limit to what we know. Nevertheless, her grasp of the subject matter is so strong, she makes the telling feel effortless, right down to the incidental details that belie the humanity of these people: "Isabelle overslept and missed the ceremony. She and Edward , said a chronicler, may have been having a little too much fun." (p254).
This history focuses on the royal (usupers?) family and the high and mighty, and not on the everyday concerns of the common people - trade, commerce, technology etc. - and so in a sense is one dimensional, and doesn’t really hold life-lessons because these people were mainly interested in subjugating one another. Lots of Philips and Joans and Louises, can get confusing who is related to whom and how. Lots of characters: inter alia, Philip Augustus, Saint Louis (IX), Philip the Fair, Eleanor of Acquitaine, Saint Bernard, and Edward II, the Templars, and various popes. Need a good map of France and its counties and duchies at the time.
The author writes very engagingly, often throwing in a woman’s and humanitarian perspective: “ . . even the liveliest of mothers feels close to death at the loss of a child.” p84 (on Queen Adelaide losing son Philip in a riding accident in 1131.)
The author isn’t prescriptive in her telling of events - perhaps this happened, perhaps he did this because of that - she doesn’t mind telling us there’s a limit to what we know. Nevertheless, her grasp of the subject matter is so strong, she makes the telling feel effortless, right down to the incidental details that belie the humanity of these people: "Isabelle overslept and missed the ceremony. She and Edward , said a chronicler, may have been having a little too much fun." (p254).
August 26, 2024
4.5 stars. The author begins her history of the Capetian dynasty of French kings with Hugh Capet in 987 and chronicles the reigns of the monarchs through Charles IV the Fair, whose death in 1328 moved France's crown to the first of the Valois kings. The reader gets all the good stuff about these medieval French rulers: the scandals, the good and bad, the murders, religious upheaval, child rulers and wicked regents, the Crusades, the infighting, attempts to destroy the Jewish population, and always the plots and plans by the French kings to conquer more lands and extend France's borders. Standout characters: Constance of Arles, the original wicked stepmother, Philip II Augustus, with his marital problems and his battles with King Henry II of England, Saint Louis IX, who did some very un-saintly things, the powerful and intelligent Blanche of Castile, and the horrific Philip IV the Fair, who destroyed the Knights Templar in France and was involved in murderous situations within his own family. Even with so much drama and turmoil and chaos and change, this dynasty managed to consolidate France, survive the Hundred Years' War and famines and plagues, and create and develop the country that became modern France. I didn't skim anything, read it all with pleasure, and enjoyed learning more about these rulers, including the women involved. Readable narrative, well-researched, and informative without being dull and dry. Illuminating and entertaining.
August 20, 2024
The Difficult Building of a Nation
Three things should be accentuated in this book by Justine Fernhaber-Baker: Her easy access to the main themes, also when it comes to the more dramatic passages, a gifted easiness (i.e. confidence in the subject), and her sense of humour.
Justine Fernhaber-Baker's message is to guide the reader through almost 350 years of the Capetian monarchy (987-1328).
The book is chronologically edified and shows the Capetians' growing grip of power and their efforts to extend France (and with that being able to raise taxes and increase personal wealth).
What was achieved during the 10th to 13th century when it comes to the making of a royal administration is amazing, not least considering the internal and external conflicts, e.g. continual wars, the attacks on the Catholic church.
Professor Firnhaber-Baker has the gift of making her persons live and recognizable.
In some places the author seems to to rely on non updated material, e.g. Penguin ed., 2024, page 306).
pol/DK-3700 Rønne
Three things should be accentuated in this book by Justine Fernhaber-Baker: Her easy access to the main themes, also when it comes to the more dramatic passages, a gifted easiness (i.e. confidence in the subject), and her sense of humour.
Justine Fernhaber-Baker's message is to guide the reader through almost 350 years of the Capetian monarchy (987-1328).
The book is chronologically edified and shows the Capetians' growing grip of power and their efforts to extend France (and with that being able to raise taxes and increase personal wealth).
What was achieved during the 10th to 13th century when it comes to the making of a royal administration is amazing, not least considering the internal and external conflicts, e.g. continual wars, the attacks on the Catholic church.
Professor Firnhaber-Baker has the gift of making her persons live and recognizable.
In some places the author seems to to rely on non updated material, e.g. Penguin ed., 2024, page 306).
pol/DK-3700 Rønne
June 24, 2024
I had limited knowledge of the Capet French monarchy. Most of my knowledge of this era came from reading the brilliant fictional/historical series the Accursed Kings by Maurice Duron (referred to as the original Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin) which focuses on the reign of Phillip IV (Phillip the Fair.) Author Firnhaber-Baker does an excellent job of detailing the Capet Kings which succeeded the Carolingian monarchy. This era of French history had the royal monarchy battling local French lords, the English monarchy for their French holdings and their disruptive neighbors in Flanders. She covers all the Capets from the divine Saint Louis to the later kings who evicted the Jews in France and persecuted the crusading Templars usually in order to extract their financial resources. A fascinating read of medieval Europe.
March 19, 2024
This was an interesting read encompassing 350 years of French monarchial history that was really accessible. I found the depth a little bit lacking for me, which I understand given the scope, but I did feel that each chapter (most of which focus on one king from the Capetian dynasty) tended to highlight one particular aspect of the reign as opposed to giving more detail about the overall history of the period. It was definitely a fun way to make my way through this period but it did leave the overall narrative feeling a bit disjointed and episodic rather than a cohesive through line. Overall, this was an enjoyable time.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.
May 14, 2024
Family drama, rivalries, resentments, and bloody escapades gilding the social, religious, and power structures we all know and love from the medieval era. This brilliantly written history of the Capetians captures what it meant to be royal in medieval France and the tenuous grip of those who had power (but who actually had the power??). From crusades to cathedrals and alliances to wars and marriages to … ends of marriages… this book covers (in amazing detail and very fun asides) a broad, in-depth look at the Capetian dynasty in a fresh and exciting way. This is easily now among my favorite historical nonfiction books of all time and truly a triumph.
Thanks to NetGalley and Basic Books for the eARC of this incredible book. It’s so worth the hype.
Thanks to NetGalley and Basic Books for the eARC of this incredible book. It’s so worth the hype.
April 26, 2024
I enjoyed this book. Mostly. It is an interesting read about the Capetian dynasty and its influence in the history of Europe, and how many of the cultural aspects that are so prevalent in today’s France have their origins during the time period (from 987 to 1328) in which the Capetians reigned, from courtly love to gothic architecture.
That premise was engaging enough for me to want to read the book asap. But at some point it started to feel a little bit slow and too focused on palatial intrigues that I don’t really care much about.
It is wonderfully written and deeply researched but I needed more of the cultural context and influences and less political manipulation.
That premise was engaging enough for me to want to read the book asap. But at some point it started to feel a little bit slow and too focused on palatial intrigues that I don’t really care much about.
It is wonderfully written and deeply researched but I needed more of the cultural context and influences and less political manipulation.
May 13, 2024
Ruling France from 987 to 1328, the Capetian dynasty left an indelible mark on history. This saga tells the human stories of how they rose to power, shaped culture and religion, and profoundly influenced society and politics. From the Crusades to Gothic architecture, the Capetians etched an enduring legacy on the world’s stage.
This engaging chronicle covers a critical era in French history, when power was consolidated in the central government. I enjoyed this informative and easy-to-read book.
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.
This engaging chronicle covers a critical era in French history, when power was consolidated in the central government. I enjoyed this informative and easy-to-read book.
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.
May 22, 2024
This has been a very long and complex book, and so easy to read!
It's been a while since I read a book covering such a great subject, featuring such a long period, who despite the many characters featured, had a sort of lightness, an ease to its pages that made the narrative to flow nicely.
I appreciated the fantastic research, the clarity it brought in this subject that I knew close to nothing. And I liked greatly the attention it gave to the women that were, also, part of these times, and sometimes quite important.
I got a copy of this in order to share my view on it.
It's been a while since I read a book covering such a great subject, featuring such a long period, who despite the many characters featured, had a sort of lightness, an ease to its pages that made the narrative to flow nicely.
I appreciated the fantastic research, the clarity it brought in this subject that I knew close to nothing. And I liked greatly the attention it gave to the women that were, also, part of these times, and sometimes quite important.
I got a copy of this in order to share my view on it.
August 22, 2024
A solid overview of the medieval kings of the country that would slowly coalesce into France. Eack king gets his own chapter, with some overlap, depending on reign length. Not much attention is paid to the people around the kings - only what is relevant to the man in question.
Firnhaber-Baker does a good job of shining light on frequently overlooked kings and shows how their actions impacted on each other. Dismissing the idea that each king is reacting independently, she shows how each reign is in conversation with predecessors and how those actions build the kingdom.
Firnhaber-Baker does a good job of shining light on frequently overlooked kings and shows how their actions impacted on each other. Dismissing the idea that each king is reacting independently, she shows how each reign is in conversation with predecessors and how those actions build the kingdom.
June 23, 2024
This is a wonderful biography of the Capetian Dynasty of France. I really appreciated how it was laid out, it was mostly easy to follow and the length, right around 300 pages is perfect for a quick read. There was one chapter about Phillip III and IV that was confusing to follow which the author was referring to, as she just called them Phillip, but otherwise I learned much about this influential moment in French and Middle Ages History.
August 22, 2024
The is a well written history book written for the general public. The chapters are short enough to not get bogged down and the pacing is good for a non-fiction history book from ~900 C.E. to ~1300 C.E. about the area we now call France. 4.5 stars for me, I would have liked a different type of epilogue discussing, in brief, how France did after this time period.
I learned a lot overall and it filled in some knowledge gags for me. Check this out if you are interested in medieval France and history.
I learned a lot overall and it filled in some knowledge gags for me. Check this out if you are interested in medieval France and history.
August 26, 2024
Considering how much English history I have read it is a bit surprising how liuttle I know about French history so I snapped up this book. Glad i did as it is a really strong history of the Capet dynasty that ruled France for about the same period of time that the Plantageanets ruled England. Due to the French avoiding the English penchant for deposing their kings, even after the Capetians faded away the subsequent French dynasties would trace their roots back to the Capetians.
July 23, 2024
An excellent book that is well researched. There is a lot of information here, but the author does an extraordinary job balancing everything for the reader. There are a lot of Louis’ and Phillip’s. Well written and accessible. Can’t wait for her next book.
June 23, 2024
Very well written! I hope she continues writing.
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