House Of Valois Family Tree

The House of Valois family tree is one of the most intricate and influential dynastic lines in European history. A branch of the Capetian dynasty, the Valois ruled France from 1328 to 1589, overseeing critical moments such as the Hundred Years’ War, the rise of the Renaissance in France, and periods of intense internal conflict. Understanding the Valois family tree is essential for anyone interested in medieval and early modern European politics, as it helps explain the shifting alliances, wars of succession, and dynastic rivalries that shaped the continent for over two centuries. The Valois kings left a lasting legacy in the development of the French monarchy and laid the groundwork for the absolute rule that would characterize France under the Bourbons.

Origins of the House of Valois

The House of Valois descended from Charles of Valois, the third son of King Philip III of France. His descendants gained power when the direct Capetian line ended with the death of King Charles IV in 1328, who died without a male heir. The French nobility selected Philip of Valois, Charles of Valois’s son, as the next king. He was crowned Philip VI, the first Valois king, beginning a new chapter in French history.

Capetian Roots

The Capetian dynasty, from which the Valois descended, was France’s ruling house since the 10th century. The Valois line was thus a continuation of this royal tradition, albeit through a cadet branch. Their rise was not without controversy, especially due to competing claims to the throne, most notably from Edward III of England, whose mother was the sister of the deceased French king.

Main Line of Valois Kings

The main branch of the House of Valois produced several kings who reigned during critical periods of warfare, cultural change, and social upheaval. Below is a simplified breakdown of the major Valois kings and their immediate relations:

• Philip VI (1328–1350): Son of Charles of Valois. His reign saw the beginning of the Hundred Years’ War.
• John II (1350–1364): Known as John the Good, he was captured at the Battle of Poitiers by the English.
• Charles V (1364–1380): Known as Charles the Wise. He stabilized the French monarchy after early war losses.
• Charles VI (1380–1422): His reign was marked by mental illness and civil war between the Armagnacs and Burgundians.
• Charles VII (1422–1461): Restored French fortunes during the latter part of the Hundred Years’ War, aided by Joan of Arc.
• Louis XI (1461–1483): Known as the Spider King, he centralized royal authority and reduced noble power.
• Charles VIII (1483–1498): Died without a male heir, ending the direct male line of the Valois main branch.

Valois-Orléans Branch

After the death of Charles VIII without issue, the crown passed to his cousin, Louis XII of the Valois-Orléans branch. This marked the beginning of the first cadet branch of the House of Valois to ascend to the throne.

• Louis XII (1498–1515): Married Anne of Brittany to keep the duchy united with the crown. His reign saw campaigns in Italy and internal reform.

Louis XII had no male heir, and the throne passed to his son-in-law and cousin, Francis I, from the Valois-Angoulême branch.

Transition to the Valois-Angoulême Line

The transition to the Valois-Angoulême line occurred smoothly due to close family ties. Francis I, nephew of Louis XII, was a charismatic monarch who ushered in the French Renaissance and strengthened royal prestige.

Valois-Angoulême Line

The Valois-Angoulême kings brought about significant cultural and political developments, though their rule would also see the beginning of the French Wars of Religion.

• Francis I (1515–1547): Patron of the arts and rival to Charles V of the Holy Roman Empire. Known for his courtly grandeur and Renaissance humanism.
• Henry II (1547–1559): Continued his father’s policies but died young from a jousting injury. Married to Catherine de’ Medici.

Children of Henry II and Catherine de’ Medici

Henry II and Catherine de’ Medici had ten children, three of whom would become kings of France:

• Francis II (1559–1560): Married Mary, Queen of Scots. Died after only 17 months on the throne.
• Charles IX (1560–1574): His reign included the St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre in 1572, a turning point in the Wars of Religion.
• Henry III (1574–1589): Last Valois king. His assassination marked the end of the Valois dynasty and the beginning of Bourbon rule.

Notable Valois Women

The women of the Valois family tree also played crucial roles in shaping the political and cultural climate of their times:

• Catherine de’ Medici: Queen consort of Henry II, later regent for her sons. A dominant political figure during the Wars of Religion.
• Margaret of Valois: Daughter of Henry II, known as Queen Margot. Married Henry of Navarre, helping to unify warring factions.
• Mary, Queen of Scots: Though not a Valois by birth, her marriage to Francis II briefly made her Queen Consort of France.

Decline and Fall of the Valois Dynasty

The death of Henry III without an heir in 1589 brought the Valois dynasty to an end. The French throne passed to the House of Bourbon through Henry of Navarre, a distant relative and leader of the Huguenots. He became King Henry IV, marking the beginning of a new royal house.

Though the Valois line ended, its influence persisted. The dynastic conflicts, administrative reforms, and cultural investments initiated by Valois rulers shaped French governance and identity well into the future. The Valois family tree remains a vital tool for tracing the evolution of France as a central power in Europe.

Legacy of the Valois Kings

The House of Valois left a rich and complex legacy:

• Centralization of Power: Kings like Louis XI laid the groundwork for future absolute monarchs.
• Cultural Flourishing: Francis I’s embrace of Renaissance ideals transformed French art and education.
• Religious Conflict: The dynasty’s final decades were marked by civil war, but also by attempts at reconciliation.

The House of Valois family tree tells the story of a dynasty that steered France through war, transformation, and revolution. With branches such as Valois-Orléans and Valois-Angoulême, the family produced kings who shaped everything from military strategy to cultural identity. Their lineage is marked by glory and tragedy, brilliance and bloodshed. Understanding the House of Valois helps illuminate not just French history, but the broader European context in which power, lineage, and ambition intertwined for centuries.