French History Exam #1

Saint Denis and Montmartre

St Denis was the original Bishop of Paris. He moved to Paris to spread the gospel. To become a bishop in Paris was basically a death sentence and that's exactly what happened- he died a martyr's death. He was killed on Montmartre which is the highest part of the city.Legend said that the corpse of Saint Denis carried his head to a northeastern side of Paris where the benedictine abbey of Saint Denis was founded- later renovated by Abot Sugay in the gothic style.

Abot Sugar

"belief that the beauty of Cathedral should reflect glory of God" Not impressed with building that the lords of realm were coronated. Popularized gothic style in his renovation of the Church of Saint Denis- it included the original use of pointed rather than round arches, the ribbed vault, and an extensive use of stained glass. Many people could not read, but he felt the church could be read as a book, so churches were built with pictures and symbols both scriptural and political. Was advisor to King Louis VI and King Louis VII, and was even made ruling regent of France when King Louis VII went on a crusade.

Francis I 16th century

- Definition-- Francis I was king of France and ruled from 1515-1547. He was not a great warrior, but he was a passionate, intelligent king, who really enjoyed life (you can see this when you look at a painting of him). He is known for being a humanist and lover of the arts. - Significance- Late in his reign, Francis's I wanted to diffuse the conflict that the Protestant Reformation had brought up. However, during his reign, the conflict was not resolved and France became the site of severe persecution of Protestants. " A prodigious patron of the arts, he initiated the French Renaissance by attracting many Italian artists to work on the Château de Chambord, including Leonardo da Vinci, who brought the Mona Lisa with him, which Francis had acquired. Francis' reign saw important cultural changes with the rise of absolute monarchy in France, the spread of humanism and Protestantism, and the beginning of French exploration of the New World. " His love for art is also displayed through his architecture- during his reign he constructed many a grandeur buildings including a section of the Louvre. His architectural style reflected that of Rome and Greece- clean and classical. He had both power and refinement which would become a common symbol of future royalty His palace Chambord, featured much Greco-Roman architecture. His imprint is an important reminder of the pathway of the Renaissance. The Renaissance era represents a shift in an area including style and the ability of kings to place their imprint architecturally. Makes Paris more Greco-Roman. Renovated the Louvre. - Upon his return from an invasion of italy he brought Leonardo da Vinci to France

Notre Dame: west facade features

-Mary being crowned queen of heaven -Dead awakening (brought to heaven or hell) -Demon "weighing soul" -Carvings of past kings and queens in Roman attire -Illustrated a biblical narrative as well as a history of France for the illiterate -Churches in medieval period always showed judgment of Christ-now shift from emphasis on damnation to emphasis on eternal life. -Celebration Shift towards celebratory style in tune with economical revival in paris The kings are also on the walls-- king v God- you listen to God by listening to God by listening to government. -* Begins discussion of a conflict between rulers of heaven and rulers of France. Should the people listen to government leaders or the head of church as the highest form of authority? Heads of the past rulers were cut off and buried during the revolution only to be found years later. Signifies breaking point of tension between the people and the oppressive monarchy.

Notre Dame : Gothic Style, General Components 12 century

-Reminded of both God's presence and political figures when attending church -Enter church from the back (west), facing the direction of the sunlight (east), so that the light spills in from the front to the back entrance. It is symbolic of moving towards the light. -Architectural style is meant to seem overwhelming to people inside. Set your eyes heavenward. -Gothic style started in the Northern suburbs, Notre Dame was a follow up project -Church focus shifted from damnation to redemption and eternal life through Christ -Church is so huge that it is meant to remind people how small they are -Stained glass bordering the ceiling, drawing attention towards the light, up. -All the points of the church (archways, doorways) point up. -Built entirely of stone by hand - At this point it was unpleasant to live in medieval Paris. Notre Dame represents urban revival. Urban renewal is expensive and therefore required taxes. 12th century was a very crucial time of urban revival in Paris. There were kingdoms and realms, but no country of France. Paris was a realm. Notre Dame represents someone who is powerful.

18th Century french population growth

After the death of Louis XIV, France's population exploded, and by 1770, the population reached somewhere around 26 million, a number never before seen in France. It is unclear what exactly caused this jump in population, but it was a trend for all of Europe. Several different things contributed: the disappearance of certain diseases, most importantly the black plague, improved birthing procedures, and improved hygiene (including the introduction of cheap underwear which could be changed). Economically, the growing populations increased demand for goods and so increased job opportunities. In this time people were getting married earlier and so having children earlier. Farming was improving, and wars were being fought on a smaller scale and not in France itself. The changes that encouraged population growth were positive, yet the increase of population also had negative effects on French life. More people meant a greater demand for food. People had to compete to farm on what land was available, as famines occurred food became more rare and expensive. People were forced to spend what little money they had just on bread. Starvation and restlessness amidst the classes contributed to the start of the French Revolution.

The Frond

An insurrection of the nobles in the area to remove some of the monarchical power. They stormed the Louvre during the reign of louis XIV (when he was 5 years old). Caused Louis XIV to feel unsafe in Paris and to begin building project for Versailles. His hideaway out of harm's way. Also, fostered the King's desire for complete control and led into his reign as an absolute monarch

Louis XIV (the sun King) 17th- 18th century

Because of the bad experience from the Fronde- event where people broke into his house-- when he was young, he hated Paris Wanted to leave Paris as soon as possible. Had 3500 people, over the course of 50 years, construct the Palace of Versailles-he then brought all the nobles to Versailles and fostered "court culture." If the nobles wanted anything, they had to grovel at the feet of the king. Coined avenues (which connected the country to the city) and boulevards (replaced bulwarks which had been raised strips of land for easy access for the military to get in and out of the city) Known for being the first absolute monarch and officially brought feudalism to an end Built the largest central army in Europe Was obsessed with control, even nature- trimmed hedges, rectangular ponds, etc. Known as the "sun King" because he likened himself to Apollo, god of peace and the arts. Also, he liked the sun emblem because it signified the heavenly body by which the world both received life and was regulated by its rising and setting. Revoked the edict of nantes and unified France under Catholicism; however, instated Gallicanism, which placed the King in the position of the pope as the people's access to God. The reason he likes the sun in 1) apollo great God 2) power of the sun--- king louis was the first absolutist monarch

Charlemagne 768- (8th century)

Charlemagne was a frank and a descendant from the barbaric tribe that took over Rome. He was a warlord from the futile era- during this time there was order, but it was obtained through brute force. Charlemagne sought out an empire that was so much so like the romans. Because of his military leading skills, was a great leader. He brought a revival of literacy and learning to the people. He is the reason we have the alphabet we have today- Carolingian letters. Charlemagne also identified with the Christian faith and he commissioned monasteries to make copies of the gospel. He called His empire the holy roman empire which was interesting for 3 reasons 1) he saw it as an empire 2) He wasn't roman- this just proved how much he wanted to be like them 3) in all of this the church was the driving force of unity. Although there may have been disagreements elsewhere- the church is what unified the people Charlemagne achieved a unity during this time that had not been achieved in years.

Place of Versailles

Constructed by 35,000 people 50 years to finish Constructed by Louis XIV 35,000 acres Louis XIV would host noblemen to keep them drunk and happy Louis XIV's greater purpose was to use Versailles' beauty and greatness to make the King the center of France and France the cultural and economic center of Europe. Louis offered to house nobility in Versailles in an effort to control them and establish his power over the nobility.

Feudal Structure of the 18th century french society

Highly geometric. Powerful. Open squares. Buildings lined up perfectly. Scientific accuracy. French inspiration. Eloquent and simple outside but elaborate and complex inside. The tremendous axis starting at the lo-- separated into 3 esates- Noblemen- clergy- peasants. 1st don't have to pay any taxes

Lutetia

Ile de la Cite is the very heart, or the very center of Paris. It is one of the two natural islands in the Seine within the city of Paris. In 52 BC, many believe that a small Gallic tribe called Parisii inhabited the Island. At that time, the island was a low-lying area subject to flooding that offered a convenient place to cross the Seine and a refuge in times of invasion. After the Parisii To the romans under the rule of Julius Caesar came in and took control- they named this spot- Lutetia The romans brought- order, language, culture, government Under Julius Caesar when they took over they took technology with them and they gave to Paris a very technocratic society. With aqueducts and engineering and improving through technology of sewage and water. Paris began to grow in north and south bank and roman heritage has still not left. Also brought learning of the Latin language. Paris began to grow in the north in the south- with Il de le cite as the center- it grows out spirally. During the french revolution the parisians wanted to bring Ile de la cite back to its original heritage before the romans took over.

Il de le Cite-- 6000 years ago

Ile de la Cite is the very heart, or the very center of Paris. It is one of the two natural islands in the Seine within the city of Paris. In 52 BC, many believe that a small Gallic tribe called Parisii inhabited the Island. At that time, the island was a low-lying area subject to flooding that offered a convenient place to cross the Seine and a refuge in times of invasion. After the Parisii To the romans under the rule of Julius Caesar came in and took control- they named this spot- Lutetia The romans brought- order, language, culture, government Under Julius Caesar when they took over they took technology with them and they gave to Paris a very technocratic society. With aqueducts and engineering and improving through technology of sewage and water. Paris began to grow in north and south bank and roman heritage has still not left. Also brought learning of the Latin language. Paris began to grow in the north in the south- with Il de le cite as the center- it grows out spirally. The romans brought protection. During the french revolution the parisians wanted to bring Ile de la cite back to its original heritage before the romans took over.

Hotel de Invalides

Louis XIV had a series of expensive and unsuccessful wars that left Paris full of wounded and disabled men He decided to build the Hotel des Invalides as a military hospital Began construction in 1671

Marie De Medicis Palais du Luxembourg

Luxembourg palace was built by the wife of the French king Henry IV, 2nd wife- Marie de Medici. She wanted to have a small sense of her italianate home - roman architecture used: symmetry, columns, arches, etc. She was not a Queen well received and never actually moved into her palace, instead moved to the countryside. She was raised to be a privileged person and didn't know differently.

1572 Bartholomews Day Massacre

On August the 18th 1572 Catherine's daughter, Margaret of France married Huguenot Henry of Navarre (the future Henry IV of France). Many nobility came to paris for this wedding. The wedding festivities went on for many days. Before Dawn on august 24th the bell of Saint-Germain-L'Auxerrois began to ring and the massacre began. The homes and shops of the huguenots were pillaged and brutally murdered (for this massacre involved every class). Many bodies were thrown into the Seine. On August 25 a royal order by Charles was issued to stop the killing but it continued anyway. Once the killing started mobs of Catholic Parisians became overcome with bloodlust and killed thousands of Huguenots. The killings continued into October. The killings were not based on classes but on conviction. Many protestants came to the wedding of Margaret and Henry and catholic extremists plotted to have the city walls closed. If you were known to be a protestant, you were automatically on a hit list and killed. An estimated 3,000 French Protestants were killed in Paris alone and as much as 70,000 in all of France. Saint Bartholomew's Day massacre marked the resumption of a religious civil war in France.

Boulevard

Raised road-like paths that led into cities, allowed soldiers to march easily on them Louis XIV had them dismantled and the spaces left became roads or boulevards

St Genevieve 422 AD

Saint Genevieve was a peasant girl/shepherdess born around 422 in Nanterre France. When Genevieve's parents died she went to live with her grandmother in Paris. While she was in Paris, Attila and his army of Huns came to overtake Paris. The Parisian Christians were preparing to run away but Genevieve stood up for them and convinced them to stay in Paris. She instructed them to pray and fast to the Lord. She convinced them that they had the protection of God. She prayed for the city to be protected and like she predicted, Attila suddenly changed his mind and turned away from Paris. She was then made the patron Saint of Paris. Genevieve died at age 89 on January 3rd 512. Religion was such a huge part of France during this time. Religion is what unified the French people and this is just one example. For the people to stay together and pray even though they were facing impending death from a military attack shows their strength and faith. Saint Genevieve was known for protecting Paris with her faith.

Hotel De Seins 16th century

Term "Hotel"- represents the Old French hostel, meaning foreigner or guest. The French noblemen would use this place not as a home but as a temporary lodging, where they would be treated as occasional guest. This was built at the beginning of the 16th century for the Bishops of Sens, then also bishops of Paris. One of the largest residences in the marshlands on the right bank. It was a display of incredible wealth. Hotel de Sens represents the power that was challenging the Kings. You see, church authorities held so much popular opinion that they served as a potential threat. Also, during this time if you were a part of the church authority that meant you were exempt from paying taxes. It also meant that you were essential living off the taxes of the public.

Church of St Germain De Pres 8th Century

The church of Saint-Germain-des-Pres ( the meadows ) was built in the 8th century. It is the oldest church that is still standing and being used in Paris. During it's construction it represented the growing authority of the church after the Romans left Paris. After the Romans left there were no castles built yet. However, this Abbey was the figure of authority for all churches.(one theory) Saint-Germain-des-Pres started because it was the burial place of a powerful dynasty that ruled the Franks in the middle of the 5th century. (second theory) It was originally founded by Childebert 1st , son of Clovis 1st as a shrine to house relics. Whatever theory is true , it is true that in 558, the same day that Childebert 1st died, the church was dedicated by Germain, Bishop of Paris. The church and its monastery began to grow in religious influence and was soon the richest in France. After the death of the Bishop Germain, the name was changed to Saint Germain des Pres. After the 16th Century the area became very popular among aristocrats who were wanting to build homes.

Privileges of the 18th century noblemen

The nobility were given a special status among the people of 18th century France. They were exempt from paying taxes and instead thrived off of the taxes of the working class. They had the privilege of receiving education, freedom to go hunting, carry swords, etc. They were even given priority seating in church. All of these factors wore on the demeanor of the working class. The extreme taxation kept peasants from being able to provide for themselves and their families. With each new grand cathedral built the morale of the peasant people dropped even lower. Respect was lost for the king and members of the nobility leading to thoughts of the revolution of government.

Pont Neuf 16th century

Tip of the island that Notre Dame is on Built by King Henry III, but not opened until Henry IV is king Henry IV statue on middle of the bridge at Pont Neuf Represents a bridge Henry IV built between Catholicism and Protestantism

Louis IX (St Louis) and St Chapelle --1226-1270 Ad- 13th century

Unlike his powerful grandfather Philip Augustus who had expended much energy asserting his control, Louis IX( Louis the Pias very religious" turned his back on building the power of the French monarchy and instead focused his attention on the crusades. He believed it was most important to protect Jerusalem and drive away the infidel in the name of the Lord. He fought in the crusades and returned from them bearing precious relics including supposed remnants of the cross and the crown of thorns. He believed these holy relics required a glorious dwelling, so he built the magnificent Sainte-Chapelle. This overpoweringly beautiful building is three quarters glass as every chapter of the bible is represented in stained glass. The relics are housed behind the altar, where only the head of state was allowed to enter. Louis IX represented the weakness of royal authority. During this time there a power struggle between the church and kings was emerging. Who were the people to listen to? In the past, the church had provided political leadership; however, some of the kings were beginning to take more control. Yet, instead of proclaiming his own power, this king, known as Louis the Pious or "the very Christian king," bowed to the authority of the church. His legacy is tied to Christian ideas, relics, and the beautiful home of those relics.

Edict of Nantes 1589

Wanted to extend safety to Protestants and converted to Catholicism to solidify unity. Granted rights to Protestants for religious freedom. Significance: Now the line of kings was able to exert power over religious rivalry

Joan of Arc/ Charles VII 15th century

-definition—15th century/1400's- Joan of Arc was a young, poor, farm girl, with the vision of strengthening the French Crown. At the time of Joan's birth, France was imbedded in a long running war with England, also known as the 100 years' war. You see, England had the audacity to claim power in France after the prince of England married the princess of France. After the death Charles VI, Henry the V of England would serve in His place. However, Henry would soon die and leave the crown empty. France was in need of a ruler, and the only one suitable for the crown was the deceased Charles the VI son Charles the VII (what an original name, how clever). However, Charles was not eager to step up and claim the crown -significance-- During the time of English rule in France, and the hesitancy of Charles VII to lead, Joan of Arc began having visions that made her believe it her was her mission given to her by God to install Royal Authority back in its place. She pleaded with Charles VII to take his rightful place and be crowned at Rheum. Although good ole Charlie (Charles VII) wasn't man enough to get the English out of France, Joan of Arc was man enough for the job. She led a troop to Normandy France and drove the English out. She came back to Charles and essentially said "look what I did"- and Boom- he decided to be crowned. Joan of Arc was the catalyst for the ending of the 100 years' war and the restoring peace, and unity in France. Without her influence who knows when or if Charles the VII would have ever become a man... I mean king. She was eventually burned at the stake by the English.

French Enlightenment 18th century.

18th century period of intellectual growth which provided great thinkers who began to challenge the idea of tyranny. Thanks to Louis XIII, Paris had seen a great increase in intellectual opportunity and academic influence. The Academie Royale was created to establish rules for the French language and created a sense of conformity for vocabulary, measurements, and trade. This unified the people under one system. Great thinkers arose in France who began influencing other great thinkers around the world (including Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin). "Man is born free, but he is everywhere in chains." -Jean Jacques Rousseau Many great thinkers of this time period (Rousseau, Voltaire, Montesquieu, etc) began to challenge the idea of monarchy and the extreme tyranny they were experiencing in France. It's ironic that the hard work King Louis XIII to educate his people eventually led to people using this newfound knowledge to overthrow the monarchy. The unification of the people in their academic mindset allowed them to be more unified for a greater good.---------------------------------------------------------

Henry IV (Henry of Navarre, Bourbon Dynasty) 16th

On August the 18th 1572 Catherine's daughter, Margaret of France married Huguenot Henry of Navarre (the future Henry IV of France). Many nobility came to paris for this wedding. The wedding festivities went on for many days. Before Dawn on august 24th the bell of Saint-Germain-L'Auxerrois began to ring and the massacre began. The homes and shops of the huguenots were pillaged and brutally murdered (for this massacre involved every class). Many bodies were thrown into the Seine. On August 25 a royal order by Charles was issued to stop the killing but it continued anyway. Once the killing started mobs of Catholic Parisians became overcome with bloodlust and killed thousands of Huguenots. The killings continued into October. The killings were not based on classes but on conviction. Many protestants came to the wedding of Margaret and Henry and catholic extremists plotted to have the city walls closed. If you were known to be a protestant, you were automatically on a hit list and killed. An estimated 3,000 French Protestants were killed in Paris alone and as much as 70,000 in all of France. Saint Bartholomew's Day massacre marked the resumption of a religious civil war in France. Henry- end of feudalism--- Burbon dynasty he changed from Catholics to protestantism he said "France is worth a mass"-- he tried to bridge the catholics and protestants to make unity in France-- he enacted the edict of acts- significance and power to say what the religious groups did. Real bridge Pont Neuf connected the city. First king that can actually true be considered the King.

Peter Paul Reubens Series of Paintings on the life of Marie De Medicis

Peter Paul Ruben was commissioned to do some image rebuilding for Marie de Medici so people would like her. She was a foreign queen and was not well liked or trusted by the French. The paintings are now shown in one big room in the Louvre. There are 24 large scale portraits. The paintings all apply allegory because they are referring what is not real but still symbolically powerful. All of portraits portray Marie in some manner which would allow (or rather induce) the French people to be won over. The French thought she was too catholic, haughty and Italian. In each of these individual paintings Ruben shows a reason why they should love her. During this time period art was often put to political service. In many of the paintings the king is shown loving her. She is also shown as having power and a presence that is supposed to be reassuring to them as a leader of their kingdom. However, seeing as though she was spending her money on these huge paintings instead of helping out the general public, she didn't actually end up giving them much reason to like her. (side note) Marie was the Italian princess married to Henry the 4th. She was the mother of Louis the 13th.

University of Paris 12th Century

The 12th century marked a time for the revival of learning; at this time a man named Abelard became the Master of Notre Dame. Before the formation of a university, Notre Dame was a main site for education and learning throughout the Middle Ages. Abelard took on many students, including a young girl named Heloise, who was also the niece of an abbot. Abelard and Heloise fell in love and had an affair, and Heloise became pregnant. They proposed to get married in secret, but Heloise's uncle made the event public. In response to this, Abelard sent the young lady off to a convent which greatly angered her uncle who then hired a gang to attack and castrate Abelard. Despite this traumatic event, Abelard continued teaching, and from the home where these 2 lovers met, the university came into being. Eventually he had so many students that they overran the house where they were meeting, and students spilled across the left bank of Paris. This place became known as the Latin Quarter, because the students who lived and studied there wrote and spoke Latin, the language of education, and that area is still called that today. Besides the school associated with Notre Dame, two other "colleges" or schools existed during this time which came together to form the University of Paris. The University of Paris is notable because it is the second oldest university in all of Europe. The School is now known as the Sorbonne.

Loire Valley Chateaux

The Loire Valley, an area in the central part of France, is covered with magnificent Chateaux and beautiful gardens built by aristocrats and royalty. Geographically, the land is characterized by the Loire River which is what makes the land so fertile and is partially responsible for the prolific gardens in the area. Today, people can still visit this "garden district" of France and visit the great Chateaux of old, places like Chateau de Blois, de Chaumont, or de Chenonceaux. In this area feudalism was prevalent, and the kings and nobles who built here lived off of the labor and taxes of peasants. The extremes between the classes grew as the chateaux became increasingly magnificent. One example of the disparity between classes is Chambord. This area and palace belonged to King Francis I, and including the hunting area surrounding his chateau, the land was as large as Paris itself. The chateau is magnificent, retaining some medieval qualities, but moving towards classicism, with Italianate symmetry, arches, and grid-like order. Yet, the King would only spend 10 to 12 days in this luxurious palace a year, while the peasants lived and worked in hovels. At this time, Kings were not yet tied to a specific place as a "capital;" instead, they had many different homes and places, and the nobles, who longed to be close to the king, followed him in order to obtain royal favor. That is why the Loire Valley is speckled with hundreds of chateaux today.