Biography of Louis VII King Franks 1120-1180

Paternal Family Tree: Capet

Maternal Family Tree: Ettiennette Countess Burgundy

1108 King Philip of France Dies Accession of Louis VI

1137 Marriage of Prince Louis and Eleanor of Aquitaine

1142 Massacre at Vitry le François

1152 Louis and Eleanor's Divorce

1152 Marriage of Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine

1154 Louis VII marries Constance of Castile

1156 Henry II pays homage to Louis VII

1160 Louis VII marries Adela of Blois

1161 Henry II and Louis II make Peace

1165 Louis VII's Heir

1204 Death of Eleanor of Aquitaine

1514 Death of Anne Duchess of Brittany

In 1104 [his father] Louis "Fat" VI King France (age 22) and Lucienne Rochefort (age 16) were married. He the son of Philip "Amorous" I King France (age 51) and Bertha Gerulfing Queen Consort France.

King Philip of France Dies Accession of Louis VI

On 30 Jul 1108 [his grandfather] Philip "Amorous" I King France (age 56) died. His son [his father] Louis "Fat" VI King France (age 26) succeeded VI King France: Capet.

In 1115 [his father] Louis "Fat" VI King France (age 33) and [his mother] Adelaide Savoy Queen Consort France were married. She by marriage Queen Consort of France. She the daughter of Humbert "Fat" Savoy II Count Savoy and Gisela Ivrea Countess Savoy (age 45). He the son of Philip "Amorous" I King France and Bertha Gerulfing Queen Consort France.

In 1120 Louis VII King Franks was born to Louis "Fat" VI King France (age 38) and Adelaide Savoy Queen Consort France at Paris [Map].

On 09 Apr 1137 William "Saint" Poitiers X Duke Aquitaine (age 38) died. His daughter [his future wife] Eleanor of Aquitaine Queen Consort Franks and England (age 15) succeeded XI Duchess Aquitaine.

Marriage of Prince Louis and Eleanor of Aquitaine

On 25 Jul 1137 Louis VII King Franks (age 17) and Eleanor of Aquitaine Queen Consort Franks and England (age 15) were married. Her father William "Saint" Poitiers X Duke Aquitaine had died some three months previously leaving Eleanor of Aquitaine Queen Consort Franks and England (age 15) as a ward of Louis's father Louis "Fat" VI King France (age 55) who quickly married her to his son Louis with a view to the Duchy of Aquitaine becoming joined with the Kingdom of France. A week later Louis "Fat" VI King France (age 55) died and his son Louis and Eleanor became King and Queen of France. She the daughter of William "Saint" Poitiers X Duke Aquitaine and Aenor Chatellerault Duchess Aquitaine. He the son of Louis "Fat" VI King France (age 55) and Adelaide Savoy Queen Consort France. They were third cousin once removed.

On 01 Aug 1137 [his father] Louis "Fat" VI King France (age 55) died of dysentery. His son Louis VII King Franks (age 17) succeeded VII King of the Franks. [his wife] Eleanor of Aquitaine Queen Consort Franks and England (age 15) by marriage Queen Consort Franks.

Massacre at Vitry le François

In 1142 the forces of Louis VII King Franks (age 22) seized Vitry le François. Over 1000 residents were killed when the church in which they had sought protection was set on fire.

In 1145 [his daughter] Marie Capet Countess Champagne was born to Louis VII King Franks (age 25) and [his wife] Eleanor of Aquitaine Queen Consort Franks and England (age 23).

In 1150 King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England (age 16) was created Duke Normandy by Louis VII King Franks (age 30).

In Jul 1150 [his daughter] Alix Capet Countess Blois was born to Louis VII King Franks (age 30) and [his wife] Eleanor of Aquitaine Queen Consort Franks and England (age 28).

Louis and Eleanor's Divorce

On 21 Mar 1152 the marriage of Louis VII King Franks (age 32) and Eleanor of Aquitaine Queen Consort Franks and England (age 30) was dissolved by Hugh Toucy Archbishop Sens at the Château de Beaugency on the grounds of consanguinity. Both Louis and Eleanor were present as were the Archbishops of Rouen and Bordeaux. Samson Mauvoison Archbishop Reims acted on behalf of Eleanor. In dissolving the marriage Louis lost control of the Duchy of Aquitaine which was to have far reaching consequences for the next three centuries.

Marriage of Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine

On 18 May 1152 Whit Sunday King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England (age 19) and [his former wife] Eleanor of Aquitaine Queen Consort Franks and England (age 30) were married at Poitiers Cathedral [Map]. They were more closely related than Eleanor and her previous husband Louis VII King Franks (age 32). The marriage would bring the Kingdom of England, and the Duchies of Normandy and Aquitaine under the control of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England (age 19). She the daughter of William "Saint" Poitiers X Duke Aquitaine and Aenor Chatellerault Duchess Aquitaine. He the son of Geoffrey Plantagenet Duke Normandy and Empress Matilda (age 50). They were half third cousins. He a grandson of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England.

On 20 Jul 1153 Sancho "Wise" King Navarre (age 21) and [his future sister-in-law] Sancha Ivrea (age 14) were married. She the daughter of Alfonso VII King Castile VII King Leon (age 48) and Berenguela Barcelona Queen Consort Castile and Leon. He the son of García "Restorer" IV King Navarre and Marguerite Aigle Queen Consort Navarre. They were fourth cousins.

In 1154 [his mother] Adelaide Savoy Queen Consort France died.

Louis VII marries Constance of Castile

In 1154 Louis VII King Franks (age 34) and Constance of Castile (age 14) were married in Orléans. Somewhat curiously they were more closely related than Louis VII King Franks (age 34) and Eleanor of Aquitaine Queen Consort Franks and England (age 32) whose married had been annulled for that reason. The difference in their ages was 20 years. She the daughter of Alfonso VII King Castile VII King Leon (age 48) and Berenguela Barcelona Queen Consort Castile and Leon. He the son of Louis "Fat" VI King France and Adelaide Savoy Queen Consort France. They were second cousins.

Henry II pays homage to Louis VII

On 05 Feb 1156 King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England (age 22) paid homage to Louis VII King Franks (age 36) for his lands in Normandy [Map], Anjou and Aquitaine.

In 1157 [his sister-in-law] Ferdinand Ivrea (age 4) died.

In 1157 [his daughter] Margaret Capet was born to Louis VII King Franks (age 37) and [his wife] Constance of Castile (age 17). Coefficient of inbreeding 1.85%.

On 04 Oct 1160 [his wife] Constance of Castile (age 20) died in childbirth.

On 04 Oct 1160 [his daughter] Alys Capet Countess Ponthieu was born to Louis VII King Franks (age 40) and [his wife] Constance of Castile (age 20). Coefficient of inbreeding 1.85%.

Louis VII marries Adela of Blois

On 13 Nov 1160 Louis VII King Franks (age 40) and Adèle Blois were married a month or so after his second wife (deceased) had died in childbirth; Louis needed an heir. She the daughter of Theobald Blois II Count Champagne IV Count Blois and Matilda Carinthia Countess Champagne and Blois. He the son of Louis "Fat" VI King France and Adelaide Savoy Queen Consort France. They were third cousin once removed. She a great granddaughter of King William "Conqueror" I of England.

Henry II and Louis II make Peace

In Oct 1161 King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England (age 28) and Louis VII King Franks (age 41) met at Fréteval [Map] and made peace.

In 1164 [his son-in-law] Theobald "Good" Blois V Count Blois (age 34) and [his daughter] Alix Capet Countess Blois (age 13) were married. She by marriage Countess Blois. The difference in their ages was 20 years. She the daughter of Louis VII King Franks (age 44) and Eleanor of Aquitaine Queen Consort Franks and England (age 42). He the son of Theobald Blois II Count Champagne IV Count Blois and Matilda Carinthia Countess Champagne and Blois. They were fourth cousins. He a great grandson of King William "Conqueror" I of England.

In 1164 [his son-in-law] Henry Blois I Count Champagne (age 36) and [his daughter] Marie Capet Countess Champagne (age 19) were married. She by marriage Countess Champagne. She the daughter of Louis VII King Franks (age 44) and Eleanor of Aquitaine Queen Consort Franks and England (age 42). He the son of Theobald Blois II Count Champagne IV Count Blois and Matilda Carinthia Countess Champagne and Blois. They were fourth cousins. He a great grandson of King William "Conqueror" I of England.

Louis VII's Heir

On 22 Aug 1165 [his son] King Philip II of France was born to Louis VII King Franks (age 45) and [his wife] Adèle Blois in Gonesse. The much longed for heir to the crown of France; named after his father. He was also given the name 'Dieu Donné' meaning God Given. He a great x 2 grandson of King William "Conqueror" I of England.

Letters. 1168. Letter V. Marie Blois I Countess Boulogne (age 32) to Louis VII King Franks (age 48).

Let it be known to your highness that Henry, king of England (age 34) has sent his ambassadors to the emperor. It is certain that he has for the most part, succeeded in obtaining what he wished; for the emperor shews himself kindly disposed to the king, and his (the king's) ambassadors being on their return, he has not hesitated to send his own with them to him, which he thought the best course, lest the aforesaid king should doubt whether he was sincere in his assistance against you. The returning ambassadors passed through my territories, and I spoke with them, and well I perceived from their words that the English king ceases not, day nor night, to devise mischief against you. Wherefore I thought it fitting to send to your grace, and to give you the necessary forewarning, that you may take counsel with your wise men, and act as is most fitting, lest the impetuous presumption of the fraudulent king should inflict violent injury upon you. Fare you well.

In 1171 [his daughter] Agnes Capet was born to Louis VII King Franks (age 51) and [his wife] Adèle Blois. She a great x 2 granddaughter of King William "Conqueror" I of England.

On 27 Aug 1172 [his son-in-law] Henry the Young King (age 17) and [his daughter] Margaret Capet (age 15) were married at Winchester Cathedral [Map]. Margaret's dowry included the Vexin; the border between France and Normandy. On the same day they were both crowned by Rotrou Newburgh Archbishop Rouen. She the daughter of Louis VII King Franks (age 52) and Constance of Castile. He the son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England (age 39) and Eleanor of Aquitaine Queen Consort Franks and England (age 50). They were half fourth cousins.

In 1173 Hugh Lacy (age 39) held against Louis VII King Franks (age 53) at Verneuil-sur-Avre, Eure, Haute Normandie.

In 1179 [his former sister-in-law] Sancha Ivrea (age 40) died.

On 28 Apr 1180 [his son] King Philip II of France (age 14) and [his daughter-in-law] Isabelle Flanders Queen Consort France (age 10) were married. She by marriage Queen Consort of France. She the daughter of Baldwin Flanders V Count Hainault (age 30) and Margaret Metz Countess Hainault and Flanders. He the son of Louis VII King Franks (age 60) and Adèle Blois. They were half third cousins. He a great x 2 grandson of King William "Conqueror" I of England.

On 18 Sep 1180 Louis VII King Franks (age 60) died in Paris [Map]. His son [his son] King Philip II of France (age 15) succeeded II King France: Capet.

Death of Eleanor of Aquitaine

On 01 Apr 1204 [his former wife] Eleanor of Aquitaine Queen Consort Franks and England (age 82) died at Fontevraud Abbey [Map].

Death of Anne Duchess of Brittany

On 09 Jan 1514 Anne of Brittany Queen Consort France (age 36) died. She the last of the de Montfort family to hold the title (the Montfort family is a scion the Capet family; her father was descended from Louis VII King Franks. Claude Valois Orléans Queen Consort France (age 14) succeeded I Duchess Brittany. Claude (age 14) and King Francis I of France (age 19) married after which the Duchy of Brittany and the Crown of France were combined.

Ralph I Capet I Count Vermandois and Petronilla Poitiers were married. She the daughter of William "Saint" Poitiers X Duke Aquitaine and Aenor Chatellerault Duchess Aquitaine. He the son of Hugh "Great" Capet and Adelaide I Countess Vermandois. They were second cousin twice removed.

Renauld of Bar II Count of Bar and Agnes Blois were married. She the daughter of Theobald Blois II Count Champagne IV Count Blois and Matilda Carinthia Countess Champagne and Blois. She a great granddaughter of King William "Conqueror" I of England.