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Biography of Louis VII King Franks 1120-1180

Paternal Family Tree: Capet

Maternal Family Tree: Ettiennette Countess Burgundy

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

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

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 at the by Archbishop Geoffrey of Loroux. Her father William "Saint" Poitiers X Duke Aquitaine had died some three months previously leaving Eleanor of Aquitaine Queen Consort Franks and England as a ward of Louis's father King Louis VI of 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 King Louis VI of France 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 King Louis VI of France and Adelaide Savoy Queen Consort France. They were fourth cousins.

Eleanor gave Louis a rock-crystal vase as a wedding gift which he subsequently gave to Abbot Suger of Saint-Denis. The vase is no in the Louvre.

Crystal vase, 'of Eleanor'. Crystal: Iran (?), 6th-7th century (?). Mounting: Saint-Denis, before 1147; 13th and 14th centuries. Rock crystal, nielloed and gilded silver, precious stones, pearls, champlevé enamels on silver. Originating from the treasury of the Abbey of Saint-Denis. Inscription: "+ HOC VAS SPONSA DEDIT A(ie)NOR-REGI LUDOVICO MITADOL(us) AVO MIHI REX S(an)C(tis)Q(ue) SUGER(ius)" (This vase, Eleanor, his spouse, gave it to King Louis, Mitadolus to his ancestor, the king to me, Suger, who have offered it to the saints).

Vase de cristal, "d’Aliénor". Cristal: Iran (?), VI-VII siécle (?). Monture: Saint-Denis, avant 1147; XIII et XIV siécles. Cristal de roche, argent niellé et doré, pierres pécieuses, perles, émaux champlevés sur argent Provient du trésor de I'abbaye de Saint-Denis. Inscription: "+ HOC VAS SPONSA DEDIT A(ie)NOR-REGI LUDOVICO MITADOL(us) AVO MIHI REX S(an)C(tis)Q(ue) SUGER(ius)". (ce vase, Aliénor, son épouse, l'a donné au roi Lous, Mitadolus a son aïeul, le roi à moi, Suger, qui l'ai offert aux saints).

Archbishop Geoffrey of Loroux: In 1137 he was appointed Archibishop of Bordeaux. On 18 Jul 1155 he died.

William "Saint" Poitiers X Duke Aquitaine: William "Saint" Poitiers X Duke Aquitaine and Aenor Chatellerault Duchess Aquitaine were married. She by marriage Duchess Aquitaine. He the son of William "Troubadour" Poitiers IX Duke Aquitaine and Philippa Rouerge Duchess Aquitaine. In 1099 he was born to William "Troubadour" Poitiers IX Duke Aquitaine and Philippa Rouerge Duchess Aquitaine at Toulose. On 10 Feb 1127 William "Troubadour" Poitiers IX Duke Aquitaine died. His son William "Saint" Poitiers X Duke Aquitaine succeeded X Duke Aquitaine. On 09 Apr 1137 William "Saint" Poitiers X Duke Aquitaine died. His daughter Eleanor of Aquitaine Queen Consort Franks and England succeeded XI Duchess Aquitaine.

On 01 Aug 1137 [his father] King Louis VI of 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 of 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 of 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. 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.

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 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 King Louis VI of France and Adelaide Savoy Queen Consort France. They were second cousins.

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

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 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 21 Aug 1157 [his father-in-law] Alfonso VII King Castile VII King Leon (age 52) died. His son [his brother-in-law] Sancho III King Castile (age 23) succeeded III King Castile. His son [his brother-in-law] Ferdinand II King Leon (age 20) succeeded II King Leon.

On 31 Aug 1158 [his brother-in-law] Sancho III King Castile (age 24) died. His son Alfonso VIII King Castile (age 2) succeeded VIII King Castile.

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). Her mother died in childbirth. 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 King Louis VI of France and Adelaide Savoy Queen Consort France. They were fourth cousins. 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 [his former wife] 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 [his former wife] 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. 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 of Rouen. She the daughter of Louis VII King Franks (age 52) and [his former wife] Constance of Castile. He the son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England (age 39) and [his former wife] 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.

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 [his wife] 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 and King Francis I of France (age 19) married after which the Duchy of Brittany and the Crown of France were combined.

Royal Ancestors of Louis VII King Franks 1120-1180

Kings Wessex: Great x 7 Grand Son of King Alfred "The Great" of Wessex

Kings Franks: Great x 9 Grand Son of Louis "Pious" King Aquitaine I King Franks

Kings France: Great x 2 Grand Son of Robert "Pious" II King France

Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 7 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine

Royal Descendants of Louis VII King Franks 1120-1180

Agnes La Marck Queen Consort Navarre

King Philip II of France

Theobald IV King Navarre

Joan Dammartin Queen Consort Castile and Leon

Henry Luxemburg VII Holy Roman Emperor

Joan of Burgundy Queen Consort France

Blanche of Burgundy Queen Consort France

Margaret Hainault Holy Roman Empress

Philippa of Hainault Queen Consort England

Blanche Valois Holy Roman Empress Luxemburg

Blanche Dampierre Queen Consort Norway and Sweden

Joanna Bourbon Queen Consort France

Blanche Bourbon Queen Consort Castile

Yolande of Bar Queen Consort Aragon

Marie Valois Anjou Queen Consort France

Jacquetta of Luxemburg Duchess Bedford

Margaret of Anjou Queen Consort England

Mary of Guelders Queen Consort Scotland

Queen Charlotte of Savoy

Louis XII King France

Jean III King Navarre

Bianca Maria Sforza Holy Roman Empress

Anne of Brittany Queen Consort France

Philip "Handsome Fair" King Castile

Germaine Foix Queen Consort Aragon

Marguerite Valois Orléans Queen Consort Navarre

King Francis I of France

Anne Jagiellon Holy Roman Empress

Anne of Cleves Queen Consort England

Mary of Guise Queen Consort Scotland

Antoine King Navarre

Louis VI Elector Palatine

Louise Lorraine Queen Consort France

Maria Anna Wittelsbach Holy Roman Empress

Electress Louise Juliana of the Palatine Rhine

Ferdinand of Spain II Holy Roman Emperor

Margaret of Austria Queen Consort Spain

Eleonora Gonzaga Queen Consort Bohemia

Maria Leopoldine Habsburg Spain Queen Consort Bohemia

Marie Françoise Élisabeth of Savoy Queen Consort of Portugal

Maria Anna Neuburg Queen Consort Spain

Joseph I Holy Roman Emperor

Charles Habsburg Spain VI Holy Roman Emperor

Charles Emmanuel III King Sardinia

Louis I King Spain

Francis I Holy Roman Emperor

Louis XV King France

Elisabeth Therese Lorraine Queen Consort Sardinia

Ferdinand VI King Spain

Charles III King Spain

King George III of Great Britain and Ireland

Caroline Matilda Hanover Queen Consort Denmark and Norway

Caroline of Brunswick Queen Consort England

Ferdinand VII King Spain

King Christian I of Norway and VIII of Denmark

Maria Christina of the Two Sicilies Queen Consort Spain

Frederick VII King Denmark

Queen Louise Hesse-Kassel of Denmark

Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom

Queen Sophia of Sweden and Norway

Victoria Empress Germany Queen Consort Prussia

King Edward VII of the United Kingdom

Alfonso XII King Spain

Alexandrine Mecklenburg-Schwerin Queen Consort Denmark

Victoria Eugénie Mountbatten Queen Consort Spain

Louise Mountbatten Queen Consort Sweden

Philip Mountbatten Duke Edinburgh

Carl XVI King Sweden

Diana Spencer Princess Wales

Ancestors of Louis VII King Franks 1120-1180

Great x 4 Grandfather: Hugh "Great" Capet Count Paris

Great x 3 Grandfather: Hugh I King France

Great x 4 Grandmother: Hedwig Saxon Ottonian

Great x 2 Grandfather: Robert "Pious" II King France

Great x 1 Grandfather: King Henry I of France

Great x 2 Grandmother: Constance Arles Queen Consort France

Great x 4 Grandfather: Fulk "Good" Ingelger 2nd Count Anjou

Great x 3 Grandmother: Adelaide Blanche Ingelger Queen Consort West Francia

Great x 4 Grandmother: Gerberge Unknown Viscountess Anjou

GrandFather: King Philip I of France

Great x 2 Grandfather: Yaroslav "The Wise" Rurik

Great x 1 Grandmother: Anne Rurik Queen Consort France

Father: King Louis VI of France

Great x 4 Grandfather: Dirk Gerulfing II Count Holland

Great x 3 Grandfather: Arnulf Gerulfing Count Holland

Great x 4 Grandmother: Hildegarde Flanders Countess Holland

Great x 2 Grandfather: Dirk Gerulfing III Count Holland

Great x 3 Grandmother: Luitgarde Luxemburg Countess Holland

Great x 4 Grandmother: Hedwig Nordgau

Great x 1 Grandfather: Floris Gerulfing I Count Holland

Great x 2 Grandmother: Othelindis d Bernard Margrave Nordmark Count Holland

GrandMother: Bertha Gerulfing Queen Consort France

Great x 3 Grandfather: Bernard I Duke of Saxony

Great x 4 Grandmother: Hildegard Westerburg Margrave Billung March

Great x 2 Grandfather: Bernard II Duke of Saxony

Great x 1 Grandmother: Gertrude Billung Countess Holland

Great x 3 Grandfather: Henry Schweinfurt

Great x 2 Grandmother: Eilika Schweinfurt Duchess Saxony

Louis VII King Franks

Great x 2 Grandfather: Otto Savoy

Great x 1 Grandfather: Amadeus Savoy II Count Savoy

GrandFather: Humbert "Fat" Savoy II Count Savoy

Mother: Adelaide Savoy Queen Consort France

Great x 4 Grandfather: Adalbert King of Italy

Great x 3 Grandfather: Otto William Ivrea I Count Burgundy

Great x 2 Grandfather: Reginald Ivrea I Count Burgundy

Great x 4 Grandfather: Renaud Unknown

Great x 3 Grandmother: Ermentrude Countess Burgundy

Great x 1 Grandfather: William Ivrea I Count Burgundy

Great x 3 Grandfather: Richard "Good" Normandy II Duke Normandy

Great x 4 Grandmother: Gunnora Countess Ponthieu

Great x 2 Grandmother: Alice Normandy Countess Burgundy

GrandMother: Gisela Ivrea Countess Savoy

Great x 1 Grandmother: Ettiennette Countess Burgundy