When you think of "powerful French kings," your mind probably jumps to Louis XIV sunning himself at Versailles or Napoleon conquering half of Europe. Philip I of France usually doesn't make the list. Honestly, if he’s mentioned at all, it’s usually as a "fat, lazy guy" who got excommunicated because he couldn't keep his hands off another man's wife.
But history is rarely that simple.
Philip I—reigning from 1060 to 1108—was actually the guy who kept the French monarchy from falling apart while the world around him was exploding. He sat on the throne for nearly 48 years. That’s a massive stretch for the 11th century. While William the Conqueror was busy taking England and the Pope was busy starting the Crusades, Philip was playing the long game. He was sneaky, pragmatic, and way more effective than the monks who wrote his history books would ever admit.
The King with the "Russian" Name
Let’s start with something weird: his name. Before 1052, no one in France was named Philip. It sounds "French" to us now because of him, but back then, it was totally exotic. His mother, Anne of Kiev, brought the name from the East. She was the daughter of Yaroslav the Wise, and she claimed descent from Philip of Macedon (Alexander the Great’s dad).
Imagine being a French knight in 1060 and finding out your new boy-king has a Greek name. It was a power move by his father, Henry I, to link the struggling Capetian dynasty to ancient imperial glory.
Philip was only seven when he was crowned. For the first few years, he was basically a passenger while his uncle, Baldwin V of Flanders, ran the show as regent. But once Philip hit his teens, he didn't just sit back. He realized the "King of France" was actually just the "King of Paris and Orléans." He didn't own much land, and his "vassals" (the Dukes of Normandy and Burgundy) were way richer and more powerful than he was.
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Why Philip I of France Was Actually a Genius (in a Sneaky Way)
Most historians used to call Philip "weak." They pointed to the fact that he didn't go on the First Crusade in 1096. But if you look at the math, staying home was the smartest thing he ever did.
While every other hot-headed noble in Europe was selling their lands and heading to Jerusalem to get killed by dysentery or Seljuk arrows, Philip stayed in the Île-de-France. He spent his time:
- Buying up territory: When nobles went broke trying to fund their Crusades, Philip was there with the checkbook. He bought the Viscounty of Bourges in 1101.
- Messing with the English: He spent decades supporting Robert Curthose (the loser son of William the Conqueror) just to keep the Normans busy fighting each other.
- Consolidating the "Royal Domain": He added the Vexin and Gâtinais to his lands. These weren't massive conquests, but they were strategic. He was basically building a fortress around Paris.
He was a "land-glutton." That’s what the chronicles called him. He wasn't interested in being a hero; he was interested in being a landlord.
The Bertrade de Montfort Scandal: More Than Just Romance
You can't talk about Philip I of France without the "Amorous" part of his nickname. In 1092, Philip decided he was done with his wife, Bertha of Holland. His excuse? She was "too fat." (Classic 11th-century gaslighting).
The real reason was that he had fallen for Bertrade de Montfort, who just happened to be married to the Count of Anjou. This wasn't just a fling. Philip actually abducted her—or, more likely, she left willingly—and they got married.
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The Pope, Urban II, was absolutely livid.
Philip was excommunicated. Then he was "forgiven." Then he was excommunicated again. This went on for years. The Church even put France under an "interdict," meaning no bells could ring, no mass could be said, and people couldn't even be buried in holy ground.
Was Philip just a hopeless romantic? Probably not. Bertrade’s family, the House of Montfort, held key lands between Paris and Normandy. By marrying her, Philip wasn't just getting a new wife; he was securing a vital military alliance. He was willing to risk his eternal soul for a few good hectares of land and a strategic buffer zone.
The "Fat King" Myth
By the end of his life, the chronicler Abbot Suger (who loved Philip's son, Louis VI) painted a nasty picture of Philip. He described a man so obese he couldn't even get on a horse. Suger claimed Philip had become a "do-nothing king" because of his lust and his gut.
Don't buy it.
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Suger had a political agenda. He wanted to make Louis VI look like the "restorer" of the monarchy, which meant Philip had to be the "disaster." In reality, Philip spent his final years setting Louis up for success. He gave Louis actual power while he was still alive, ensuring a smooth transition—something that almost never happened in the Middle Ages without a civil war.
What Most People Get Wrong
People think the French monarchy was always this powerful central force. It wasn't. Philip I inherited a "kingdom" that was basically a collection of angry warlords who barely acknowledged he existed.
He didn't win by being a great general. He won by being:
- Patient. He reigned for 48 years. He outlived almost all his enemies.
- Greedy. He focused on the Royal Domain, making sure the King actually owned the land he stood on.
- Flexible. He fought with the Church when it suited him and made peace when he had to.
Actionable Insights for History Buffs
If you're looking into Capetian history or visiting the sites where Philip lived, here is how to actually find the real man behind the "lazy" legend:
- Visit Saint-Benoît-sur-Loire: Philip is one of the few early French kings not buried in Saint-Denis. He was so humble (or so worried about his sins) that he asked to be buried in this smaller monastery. His tomb is still there, and it’s a lot more atmospheric than the royal tourist trap in Paris.
- Look at the "French Vexin": If you’re traveling northwest of Paris, you’re in the land Philip fought tooth and nail to keep. This area was the frontline against the English-Normans for centuries, and Philip was the one who drew the line in the sand.
- Read "The Deeds of Louis the Fat": This is Suger's biography of Philip's son. Read it with a skeptical eye. Every time Suger calls Philip "slothful," ask yourself: "What was Philip actually doing while he was supposedly doing nothing?" Usually, he was signing a treaty or buying a castle.
Philip I of France wasn't a saint. He was a survivor. He took a dying crown and polished it just enough so that his descendants could eventually turn it into the most powerful office in the world. He played the game of thrones before it was cool, and he died in his own bed—which, for a medieval king, is the ultimate win.