Louis VII le Jeune
King of the Franks · 1137-1180 · born in 1120, died on 18 September 1180
Coming to the throne in 1137, the same year as his marriage to Eleanor of Aquitaine, Louis VII married the heiress of a vast duchy, of which she nonetheless remained the duchess. A pious and learned king, he went on crusade (1147-1149), a difficult expedition at the end of which he separated from Eleanor (annulment in 1152).
Eleanor’s remarriage to Henry Plantagenet, the future Henry II of England, brought Aquitaine back under English influence: this union considerably strengthened the territorial power of the latter, a formidable rival to the Capetian crown.
Despite these setbacks, Louis VII consolidated the royal domain, preparing the ground for his son Philip Augustus, who would know how to exploit the weakening of the Plantagenets.
Key dates
- 1163: Construction of Notre-Dame de Paris begins
In the tree of power
- Era: Capetians
- Predecessor: Louis VI le Gros (1108-1137)
- Successor: Philippe II Auguste (1180-1223)
- Queen: Aliénor d'Aquitaine (1137-1152)