A Popular History of France from the Earliest Times, Volume 3
1869
A Popular History of France from the Earliest Times, Volume 3
1869
Translated by Robert, 1830? Black
The third volume of François Guizot's grand narrative traces France through its darkest hours: the cataclysm of the Hundred Years' War and the astonishing emergence of a peasant girl who would reshape the nation's fate. Guizot, a statesman and historian who lived through France's own revolutions, brings particular urgency to tales of political chaos and national survival. Here is the story of Charles VI, the "mad" king whose inability to rule plunged France into civil war among power-hungry dukes, while English armies marched ever deeper into the realm. Here too is the betrayal of Joan of Arc, the divine fire she kindled among the discouraged French, and the tragic machinery of politics that consumed her. Guizot writes not merely dates and battles but the deeper currents: how national identity crystallizes under pressure, how the ambitions of regional lords can collapse a kingdom, and how occasionally history turns on a single extraordinary individual. For readers seeking to understand the foundations of modern France, this volume illuminates the crucible in which the nation was forged.
About A Popular History of France from the Earliest Times, Volume 3
Chapter Summaries
- 23
- Charles VI's reign begins with discord among his uncles who serve as regents. The Duke of Burgundy gains dominance through his marriage to the Flemish heiress, leading to conflicts with Flemish communes and the battle of Rosebecque. Charles VI's early reign is marked by civil unrest and the king's growing mental instability.
- 24
- After Charles VI's death, his son becomes Charles VII while Henry VI of England also claims the French throne. Joan of Arc appears with her divine mission, raises the siege of Orleans, and has Charles crowned at Rheims. She is later captured, tried, and executed, but her inspiration leads to France's ultimate victory and the expulsion of the English.
- 25
- Louis XI becomes king and immediately reverses many of his father's policies, leading to the War of the Common Weal against rebellious nobles. Through cunning diplomacy and political maneuvering, he defeats his enemies and centralizes royal power, earning the nickname 'the Universal Spider' for his intricate web of alliances and schemes.
Key Themes
- Divine Providence and National Destiny
- Joan of Arc's mission represents divine intervention in human affairs, suggesting that France's liberation was ordained by God. Her voices and miraculous victories demonstrate the power of faith and divine purpose in shaping national destiny.
- The Transformation of Kingship
- The evolution from feudal to centralized monarchy is embodied in the contrast between the weak, mad Charles VI and the reformed Charles VII, culminating in the calculating absolutism of Louis XI. Royal power becomes increasingly centralized and bureaucratic.
- Civil War and National Unity
- The destructive conflict between Burgundians and Armagnacs nearly destroys France, showing how internal division weakens a nation against foreign enemies. Unity becomes essential for national survival and independence.
Characters
- Charles VI(protagonist)
- King of France from 1380 to 1422, known as 'the Mad' due to his mental illness. His reign was marked by civil war between Burgundians and Armagnacs, and English invasions during the Hundred Years' War.
- Joan of Arc(protagonist)
- The Maid of Orleans, a peasant girl who claimed divine visions and led France to victory against the English. She raised the siege of Orleans and had Charles VII crowned at Rheims before being captured and executed.
- Charles VII(protagonist)
- King of France from 1422 to 1461, initially weak and indolent but transformed by Joan of Arc's inspiration. He eventually drove the English from France and became known as 'the Victorious' and 'the Well-served'.
- John the Fearless(antagonist)
- Duke of Burgundy from 1404 to 1419, violent and unscrupulous. He murdered Louis of Orleans in 1407, sparking civil war, and allied with England against France before being assassinated at Montereau.
- Philip the Good(major)
- Duke of Burgundy from 1419 to 1467, initially allied with England after his father's murder but later reconciled with France through the Treaty of Arras in 1435. A powerful and influential prince.
- Louis XI(protagonist)
- King of France from 1461 to 1483, known as 'the Universal Spider' for his cunning and intrigue. A calculating ruler who centralized power and modernized France while being personally unscrupulous.
