# Kingdom of France

> monarchical state that ruled France from 987 to 1792, and again from 1814 to 1848 (except during the Hundred Days in 1815)

**Wikidata**: [Q70972](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q70972)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingdom_of_France)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/kingdom-of-france

## Summary
The Kingdom of France was a monarchy in Western Europe that existed from 987 to 1792 and briefly from 1815 to 1848. It emerged as a successor to West Francia and evolved into a major European power, playing a central role in continental politics, culture, and warfare.

## Key Facts
- **Existence**: 987–1792; 1815–1848
- **Type**: Kingdom, sovereign state, historical country
- **Preceded By**: West Francia (843–987)
- **Succeeded By**: French constitutional monarchy (1791–1792), France (modern republic)
- **Capital**: Paris
- **Official Language**: French
- **Currency**: French livre, livre tournois, livre parisis, Louis d'or, écu, assignat, French franc
- **Government Type**: Monarchy
- **Notable Rulers**: Louis XIV, Henry IV, Francis I, Charles V, Louis IX
- **Territories**: Metropolitan France, overseas territories in the Americas, Africa, Oceania, and Antarctica
- **Related Entities**: Angevin Empire, Crown of Aragon, County of Hanau-Lichtenberg, Landgraviate of Lower Alsace, Neustria, Republic of Saint-Malo, County of Armagnac, Duchy of Anjou, Chief Minister of France, garde du corps, Siege of Rouen, County of Toulouse, Order of the Holy Spirit, House of Bourbon-Vendôme, Paulette, House of La Rochefoucauld, Les Mignons, Chapelle royale, Généralité, Battle of Arques, Battle of the Faubourg St Antoine, County of Provence, House of FitzJames, Charles IX's grand tour of France, Siege of Orléans, Case of Martin Guerre, Duke of Noailles, Versailles, Duchy of Brittany, Provence, County of Flanders, treaty of Corbeil, House of Borgia, Roman Catholic Diocese of Lodève, Fronde, Battle of Ivry, Siege of Toulon, September Massacres, Society of the Friends of Truth, Ferme générale, House of Strozzi, Tournois, Peace of Alès, mestre de camp, French colonization of the Americas, Illinois Country, Controller-General of Finances, Battle of Blaye, Capet family, Refractory clergy, Duke of Polignac, Parliament of Normandy, Estates of Brittany, House of Gonzaga-Nevers, Journal des Dames, Montjoie Saint Denis!, Limousin, Paris, Duchy of Burgundy, House of Bourbon, Invasion of Martinique, Battle of Mortemer, Duchy of Lorraine, New France, Garde du Corps, Treaty of Montmartre, School of Chartres, Louisiana, Bâtiments du Roi, Saint-Cyr-sur-Menthon, National Constituent Assembly, Edict of Roussillon, County of Évreux, Edict of Beaulieu, Battle of Baugé, Governess of the Children of France, Teston, Treaty of Barcelona, Compagnie des Îles de l'Amérique, Siege of Masulipatam, Duke of La Vallière, Hôtel de Nevers, Ottoman wintering in Toulon, Treaty of Angoulême, Angers, St. Bartholomew's Day massacre, Battle of Héricourt, Edict of Nantes, Dauphin of France, French East India Company, Triple Alliance, Siege of Orléans, House of Grailly, Compagnie de Chine, Disputation of Paris, Synods held at Troyes, Battle of La Marfée, Guyenne, 1791 French legislative election, House of Polignac, Siege of Bouchain, Précieuses, Battle of Ushant, Count of Tours, House of La Tour d'Auvergne, Maison du Roi, Battle of Gravelines, Battle of Fontaine-Française, Crécy campaign, Château de la Tournelle, Court of Aids, Parliament of Toulouse, Siege of Amiens, Siege of Paris, Henry II style, Eden Agreement, 1229 University of Paris strike, Siege of Poitiers, king of France, double tournois, Alsace, Tennis Court Oath, list of French monarchs, Battle of Nancy, Crown lands of France, Duchy of Bar, Prince-Bishopric of Strasbourg, Bruges Matins, Auvergne, Régence, Louis d'or, Praguerie, Tour de Nesle, Michelade, Siege of Calais, Chantilly lace, Battle of Craon, Siege of Leucate, Rayonnant, Court of Auditors, Dual monarchy of England and France, Duchy of Aquitaine, Siege of Mézières, French sol, Black Monday, Gros tournois, Lyon, Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, Levant Fleet, Irish Brigade, French denier, French Crown Jewels, House of Montmorency, Legislative Assembly, bagno, Estates-General of 1789, castellany, assassination of Louis I, Duke of Orléans, Conseil du Roi, Siege of Doullens, House of Gramont, Cardinal Richelieu's Guard, comté du Maine, Les quinze joies de mariage, House of Clermont-Tonnerre, Three Bishoprics, Décapole, Battle of Agincourt
- **Historical Events**: St. Bartholomew's Day massacre, Battle of Héricourt, Edict of Nantes, Siege of Orléans, House of Grailly, Compagnie de Chine, Disputation of Paris, Synods held at Troyes, Battle of La Marfée, Guyenne, 1791 French legislative election, House of Polignac, Siege of Bouchain, Précieuses, Battle of Ushant, Count of Tours, House of La Tour d'Auvergne, Maison du Roi, Battle of Gravelines, Battle of Fontaine-Française, Crécy campaign, Château de la Tournelle, Court of Aids, Parliament of Toulouse, Siege of Amiens, Siege of Paris, Henry II style, Eden Agreement, 1229 University of Paris strike, Siege of Poitiers, king of France, double tournois, Alsace, Tennis Court Oath, list of French monarchs, Battle of Nancy, Crown lands of France, Duchy of Bar, Prince-Bishopric of Strasbourg, Bruges Matins, Auvergne, Régence, Louis d'or, Praguerie, Tour de Nesle, Michelade, Siege of Calais, Chantilly lace, Battle of Craon, Siege of Leucate, Rayonnant, Court of Auditors, Dual monarchy of England and France, Duchy of Aquitaine, Siege of Mézières, French sol, Black Monday, Gros tournois, Lyon, Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, Levant Fleet, Irish Brigade, French denier, French Crown Jewels, House of Montmorency, Legislative Assembly, bagno, Estates-General of 1789, castellany, assassination of Louis I, Duke of Orléans, Conseil du Roi, Siege of Doullens, House of Gramont, Cardinal Richelieu's Guard, comté du Maine, Les quinze joies de mariage, House of Clermont-Tonnerre, Three Bishoprics, Décapole, Battle of Agincourt
- **Cultural Contributions**: Development of French language, literature, and Gothic architecture, maritime dominance, and influence on European trade and politics.

## FAQs
**What was the Kingdom of France?**
The Kingdom of France was a monarchy that existed from 987 to 1792 and briefly from 1815 to 1848. It was a major European power, playing a central role in continental politics, culture, and warfare.

**Who founded the Kingdom of France?**
The Kingdom of France emerged as a successor to West Francia, which was established by the Treaty of Verdun in 843. The kingdom was formally established in 987.

**What territories did the Kingdom of France include?**
At its peak, the Kingdom of France encompassed metropolitan France and overseas territories in the Americas, Africa, Oceania, and Antarctica.

**Why did the Kingdom of France dissolve?**
The Kingdom of France was dissolved in 1792 following the French Revolution, leading to the establishment of the French constitutional monarchy and eventually the modern French Republic.

**What was the significance of the Kingdom of France in European history?**
The Kingdom of France was a major maritime and political power, influencing European trade, culture, and politics, and contributing to the eventual formation of the modern French state.

**Who were notable rulers of the Kingdom of France?**
Notable rulers include Louis XIV, Henry IV, Francis I, Charles V, and Louis IX, who expanded its territories and influence.

## Why It Matters
The Kingdom of France was pivotal in shaping European history through its expansive territories, cultural achievements, and political influence. Its strategic alliances, maritime dominance, and role in the Reconquista and subsequent colonial endeavors laid the groundwork for France's emergence as a global power. The dissolution of the Kingdom of France marked a significant shift in European power dynamics, contributing to the rise of the modern French state. The Kingdom's historical influence remains evident in architecture, language, and governance across its former territories.

## Notable For
- **Mediterranean Dominance**: Controlled key Mediterranean territories, including Sicily, Sardinia, and parts of Italy and Greece.
- **Cultural Legacy**: Fostered the development of French language, literature, and Gothic architecture.
- **Political Structure**: Functioned as a monarchy, allowing regional autonomy under a unified crown.
- **Historical Conflicts**: Engaged in significant conflicts such as the French Wars of Religion and the War of the Spanish Succession.
- **Economic Influence**: Played a major role in European trade and the establishment of trade routes.

## Body

### Historical Overview
The Kingdom of France originated in 987 with the establishment of a monarchy that succeeded West Francia. Over the centuries, it expanded through strategic marriages, conquests, and alliances, reaching its zenith in the 13th and 14th centuries. Key rulers like Louis XIV and Henry IV oversaw territorial expansions into the Mediterranean, including the conquest of Valencia, Majorca, and Sicily. The Kingdom's decline began in the 15th century, culminating in its dissolution in 1792 after the French Revolution.

### Territorial Composition
At its peak, the Kingdom of France encompassed a diverse range of territories:
- **Metropolitan France**: The core territory in Western Europe.
- **Overseas Territories**: Including French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saint Barthélemy, Saint Martin, and Saint Pierre and Miquelon in the Americas; Mayotte, Réunion, and the Scattered Islands in the Indian Ocean in Africa; French Polynesia, New Caledonia, and Wallis and Futuna in Oceania; and Adélie Land in Antarctica.

### Cultural and Political Contributions
The Kingdom of France was a hub of cultural and intellectual activity, particularly in the development of the French language and literature. The region produced notable literary works and architectural marvels like the Château de Versailles. Politically, it maintained a unique balance of power through its monarchical structure, granting regional autonomy while ensuring centralized governance.

### Key Figures and Events
- **Louis XIV**: Known as the "Sun King," he expanded the Kingdom's territories and centralized power.
- **Henry IV**: Secured the throne and faced conflicts with the Holy Roman Empire.
- **Francis I**: Played a crucial role in the Renaissance and the expansion of French influence in Italy.
- **Charles V**: Strengthened the monarchy and expanded French territories.
- **Louis IX**: Known for his piety and leadership during the Crusades.
- **French Revolution**: Led to the dissolution of the Kingdom and the establishment of the French Republic.

### Legacy and Dissolution
The Kingdom of France's legacy endures in the modern-day French state, retaining distinct cultural identities. Its dissolution in 1792 under the French Revolution marked the end of its political autonomy and the centralization of power in France, paving the way for the modern French state. The Kingdom's historical influence remains evident in architecture, language, and governance across its former territories.

## References

1. FactGrid
2. Digital Scriptorium Catalog