France . he title of the Solomon of the century. Uponhis return, Suger handed over to his royal master acountry which his skilful and unselfish statesmanshiphad rendered peaceful and prosperous. Himself the mostauthoritative historian of this epoch, he is perhaps theonly writer of her history who influenced the destinies ofFrance. For the remaining twenty years of his reign Louis wasoccupied with the feud in which Eleanors divorce hadinvolved him. Jealousy, naturally springing from thosepersonal and political causes, led him into a constantstruggle with the increasing power of his rival, Henry
France . he title of the Solomon of the century. Uponhis return, Suger handed over to his royal master acountry which his skilful and unselfish statesmanshiphad rendered peaceful and prosperous. Himself the mostauthoritative historian of this epoch, he is perhaps theonly writer of her history who influenced the destinies ofFrance. For the remaining twenty years of his reign Louis wasoccupied with the feud in which Eleanors divorce hadinvolved him. Jealousy, naturally springing from thosepersonal and political causes, led him into a constantstruggle with the increasing power of his rival, Henry England. The French King proved himself moredangerous in intrigue than in arms. He encouraged therebellion of Henrys sons, and seized the occasion of themurder of Thomas a Becket to enlist the influence ofthe Church against the English King. It was at the tomb of Becket that the devout FrenchKing caught the chill from which he died in 1180. Hehad made a pilgrimage to pray for the recovery of the 85. LongAVest of Greenwich O BNatAND AND FRANCE AT THE ACCESSION OP HENKY II. 86 FRANCE longed-for heir whom Adele of Champagne had born tohim. Philippe II., surnamed Augustus from the month of hisbirth, and Dieudonne by his grateful parents, was butfifteen when he began to reign. His reign marks an im-portant epoch. It is not without reason that he has beentermed the real founder of the absolute monarchy inFrance. Not only did the new King reduce to subjec-tion those Barons who still attempted to rule inde-pendently of him, but he also succeeded in winning backfrom the English nearly all their possessions in France. Fortunately, Philippe was extraordinarily able andprecocious. His first step was to persecute the Jews,and fill his treasury with their ransoms ; the next, toacquire Artois by his marriage with Elizabeth, daughterof the Count of Hainault, and niece of the Count ofFlanders. The marriage gave offence to the House ofChampagne, which had been disputing with the Houseof F
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1910, bookpublisherlondo, bookyear1913
