Political Prehistory of Modern Paris

POLITICS OF FRANCE 58 B.C to 1830

I. SHIFTS AND CHANGE (58 BC to 1328)

In 58 BC, the Holy Roman Empire gained control of France. When the Empire fell in the 5th century, there were continual territorial shifts and political disunity in France that followed on up to the 11th century.

Merovingians (481-511)

The founder of the French kingdom was Clovis (481-511). His family, the Merovingians remained in power from 431-751. He extended his rule over Burgundy and all over southern France to the Pyrenees by defeating the Visigoths. The capital during his reign was Paris. When he died in 511 his heirs continually battled with each other and outsiders for land. The last century of their rule was even more unstable and the Merovingians' authority was diminishing. The aristocrats chipped away at royal power in political matters, agriculture and trade was in shambles, and commerce was declining. A shift in power occurred and the Carolingians became the ruling family of France.

Carolingians (747-987)

The Carolingians' reign was from 747-987. One of the most important monarchs of this family was King Charlemagne who began his reign in 768. He waged many wars and acquired much of Europe from the Vistula to the Pyrenees. In his capital and Aachen in other cities, he encouraged the intellect by gathering religious figures and scholars. The organization of his government foreshadowed the way that France would be ruled for years to come.

The beginnings of feudalism began during his reign. Lords of manors gave military and judicial services to the king in exchange for nonhereditary land grants. The lower class of these manors provided labor on public works. Charlemagne sent out missi dominici (usually a bishop and a count) to inspect the districts that were run by the lords.

There were two assemblies held each year in which noblemen would discuss their problems and the king would present his program or impressions on the realm. These assemblies could be a possible precursor for a representative branch of the government that was present later on, the Estates-General.

The Carolignian rule declined after Charlemagne’s death that led to the partition of land between his descendants. France was weak to the invasion of the Vikings who established the duchy of Normandy. The Capetian dynasty began in 987 over a smaller French state.

Capetians (987-1328)

Direct lines of Capetian kings ruled France from 987 to 1328. Later branch families of the Capet house that were the Valois and the Bourbons ruled France.

Under this dynasty feudalism, rooted in the land grants of King Charlemagne, flourished.