Philip IV (Beautiful Man)Philippe le Bel(1268-November 29, 1314) King of the Capetian Dynasty of France (reigned 1285 - 1314), King of Navarre (known as Philip I from 1284). He was one of a series of powerful monarchs in the late Capetian period. Philip IV's power even forced the Holy See to submit, and within a century after him, the papacy moved to Avignon, France.

Philip IV's basic policy was to continue the practice of the Capetian ancestors, suppressing feudal princes and strengthening the power of the king. In 1284, he married Juana I, Queen of Navarre, before inheriting the throne, giving the Capeean Dynasty the crown of Navarre. Since the royal family of Navarre was the hereditary lord of Champagne, this move also led to Champagne, an important feudal territory, falling into the hands of the royal family. Thus, the territory Philip IV had after he ascended the throne was enough to support his actions to establish absolute authority as the king. In his struggle with various enemies, Philip IV showed tenacity and ruthlessness.

In 1294, Philip IV invaded Keene (Aquitaine), the key Plantagenet territory in France, hoping to annex it. King Edward I of England immediately crossed the sea to attack France in 1297. By 1300, the French army had actually been driven out of the territory it had captured. Philip IV negotiated peace with Edward I, stipulating that the latter would still have Gascone and marry Philip's sister Marguerite of France. After this setback, Philip IV annexed Angouis and Lyon in 1308 and 1312. In order to expand his territory and expand his sources of income, Philip IV continued to invade Flanders since 1300. The French army lost in the War of 1302, but defeated the Flanders in 1304. Philip IV's ambitions for Flanders achieved only limited results. Because of these wars, he resorted to various means to collect money, including the expulsion of Jews and the confiscation of their property in 1306.

From 1296 to 1303, Philip IV had a serious conflict with Pope Boniface VIII, who advocated clergy over royalty. In order to gain the support of aristocrats and city dwellers in his struggle against the Pope, Philip IV convened the first Eminent Council in French history in As a result of the conflict, the Holy See was actually controlled by the French King for many years.

Probably at the request of Philip IV, the Pope declared one of the most important orders of monks and knights, the Knights Templar, a heretic in 1312. The abolition of the Knights Templar might have brought huge benefits to Philip IV because of the astonishing wealth of the order. Philip IV outlawed the Knights Templar and brutally hunted its members (most of whom were executed for heresy).

Comment: A powerful monarch who has made certain achievements in French history