Individual Details
Philippe I KIng of France
(23 May 1052 - 29 Jul 1108)
Philippe was the son of Henri I, king of France and Anna of Kiev. At age twenty, Philippe married Bertha of Holland, the stepdaughter of his first cousin, the count of Flanders. This marriage had been arranged to seal the reconciliation between the king and his first cousin. After six years Bertha had a daughter Constance, who was not the hoped for heir. Arnoul, a holy hermit of Saint-Médard in Soissons who was always consulted on family problems, prayed for them; however, it took another three years before the heir, the future King Louis VI, was born. Three more sons followed him.
Twenty years after the marriage, Philippe imprisoned Bertha in comfort in the château at Montreuil-sur-Mer. He then wed the still married Bertrade de Montfort l'Amauri, wife of the count of Anjou, and they produced four children. It is lost in time whether she seduced him or he her, but most likely Philippe had an understanding with the count of Anjou. In any case Bertrade was more than willing, as she did not want to be 'sent away like a whore', as her husband had done to her predecessors.
Philippe's remarriage caused a sensation but not disapproval. The only one who caused problems was Yves, bishop of Chartres, who had been appointed by Pope Urban II without consultation, which had been resented by Philippe.
The king invited all bishops to his second wedding but Yves declined, referring to Philippe as committing bigamy. Although Philippe had married with the blessing of the archbishop of Reims as well as the Papal legate, Yves wrote to the pope who then forbade the bishops to crown Bertrade and told Philippe to cease all relations with her or be excommunicated.
When his first wife Bertha died, Philippe gathered two archbishops and eight bishops in Reims who all confirmed the royal second marriage. The pope also put pressure on the womanising count of Anjou who then obediently complained about the king committing adultery with his wife. In 1096 Philippe pretended to have broken with Bertrade and his excommunication was lifted.
When it became obvious in 1099 that Bertrade was still with Philippe, the excommunication was renewed. It took until 1105 before peace was restored, and from then Philippe and Bertrade remained together until Philippe died in 1108.
Source: Leo van de Pas
Twenty years after the marriage, Philippe imprisoned Bertha in comfort in the château at Montreuil-sur-Mer. He then wed the still married Bertrade de Montfort l'Amauri, wife of the count of Anjou, and they produced four children. It is lost in time whether she seduced him or he her, but most likely Philippe had an understanding with the count of Anjou. In any case Bertrade was more than willing, as she did not want to be 'sent away like a whore', as her husband had done to her predecessors.
Philippe's remarriage caused a sensation but not disapproval. The only one who caused problems was Yves, bishop of Chartres, who had been appointed by Pope Urban II without consultation, which had been resented by Philippe.
The king invited all bishops to his second wedding but Yves declined, referring to Philippe as committing bigamy. Although Philippe had married with the blessing of the archbishop of Reims as well as the Papal legate, Yves wrote to the pope who then forbade the bishops to crown Bertrade and told Philippe to cease all relations with her or be excommunicated.
When his first wife Bertha died, Philippe gathered two archbishops and eight bishops in Reims who all confirmed the royal second marriage. The pope also put pressure on the womanising count of Anjou who then obediently complained about the king committing adultery with his wife. In 1096 Philippe pretended to have broken with Bertrade and his excommunication was lifted.
When it became obvious in 1099 that Bertrade was still with Philippe, the excommunication was renewed. It took until 1105 before peace was restored, and from then Philippe and Bertrade remained together until Philippe died in 1108.
Source: Leo van de Pas
Events
| Birth | 23 May 1052 | ||||
| Marriage | 1072 | Bertha of Holland | |||
| Death | 29 Jul 1108 | Meulan |
Families
| Spouse | Bertha of Holland (1055 - 1093) |
| Child | Constance de France (1078 - 1125) |
| Child | Louis VI King of France (1081 - 1137) |
| Father | Henry I KIng of France (1008 - 1060) |
| Mother | Anna of Kiev (1036 - 1076) |