House of Lilies
The Dynasty That Made Medieval France
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3.9 • 12 Ratings
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- $19.99
Publisher Description
“A joy to read…one of the most entertaining popular history books published in recent years” (Dan Jones, Sunday Times), this is the definitive history of the Capetians, the crusading dynasty that made the French crown the wealthiest and most powerful in medieval Europe and forged France as we know it today
In House of Lilies, historian Justine Firnhaber-Baker tells the epic story of the Capetian dynasty of medieval France, showing how their ideas about power, religion, and identity continue to shape European society and politics today.
Reigning from 987 to 1328, the Capetians became the most powerful monarchy of the Middle Ages. Consolidating a fragmented realm that eventually stretched from the Rhône to the Pyrenees, they were the first royal house to adopt the fleur-de-lys, displaying this lily emblem to signify their divine favor and legitimate their rule. The Capetians were at the center of some of the most dramatic and far-reaching episodes in European history, including the Crusades, bloody waves of religious persecution, and a series of wars with England. The Capetian age saw the emergence of Gothic architecture, the romantic ideals of chivalry and courtly love, and the Church’s role at the center of daily life.
Evocatively interweaving these pivotal developments with the human stories of the men and women who drove them, House of Lilies is the definitive history of the dynasty that forged France—and Europe—as we know it.
Customer Reviews
Colorful and insightful history
Even though I have always been fascinated by medieval history the reigns of the French kings, their policies and personalities have always been a blind spot. This narrative provides a colorful, insightful and intriguing lens into that story, and also a sense of how it fits into other stories, like religious history, anti-Semitic pogroms, peasants, and the growth of towns. I really enjoyed it and highly recommend it.
Enormously erudite, and a fun read
The author asserts that she had fun writing this enormously entertaining book, and it shows. A marvelous survey of this thrilling subject, a page turner which at the same time is the product of consummate erudition. It’s a fun read, for sure!