Philip II Augustus

French king who recovered Normandy from the English king and won a great victory at Bouvines, making French royal power truly strong.

Life

Took the throne as a youth

Philip II took the throne at 15, when King Henry II of England controlled large parts of western France as the Angevin Empire. He joined the Third Crusade together with King Richard I of England but returned home partway through.

Recovered Normandy

In 1204, taking advantage of the quarrel between King John of England and his barons, he conquered Normandy, and then took Anjou, Maine and other lands. In 1214 he defeated the coalition of Holy Roman Emperor Otto IV, England and Flanders at Bouvines, securing his gains.

Battle of Bouvines

He established local officials appointed by the king (baillis) and built the Paris city wall and the Louvre fortress, making Paris a true capital; the royal domain grew several times over. He was called "Augustus." He died in 1223.

Legacy

Philip II Augustus transformed the King of France from a "petty king of the Île-de-France" into one of the most powerful monarchs in Western Europe.

Major works & achievements

• Built the Paris city wall and the Louvre fortress

Did you know? The foundations of the fortress he built can still be seen beneath the Louvre Museum today.

Key dates

• 1180Accession
• 1190Joined the Third Crusade
• 1204Conquered Normandy
• 1214Won a great victory at the Battle of Bouvines
• 1223Died