Philip II of France

Also known as: K. Philip / King Philip / King Philip II of France / Philip II / Philip K. of France / Philip king of France / Philip the French king / king Philip / king Philip the father of this Lewes · Family: France · Role: king of France · First appears: King John 1

Philip II of France was king of France. In c. 1199, Constance, Duchess of Brittany entrusted Arthur of Brittany to him, and he promised to defend him, furnishing the holds in Britaine with French soldiers. That year he conquered Eureux, Arques, and other places from the English, agreed a fifty-day truce with King John, and knighted Arthur of Brittany, receiving his homage for Aniou, Poictiers, Maine, Touraine, and Britaine. In 1200, he arranged the marriage of his son Louis VIII to Blanche of Castile, restored Tours and other fortresses to King John, and received King John’s homage for lands held by his family.

In 1202, Philip renewed a written league with King John, then began war against him and took Buteuant, Augi, and Linos Castle. He appointed guardians for Arthur of Brittany and sent him into Poictou, where Arthur of Brittany, joined by Hugh le Brun, Earl of March, took Touraine and Aniou under his authority. Philip later condemned King John in default and adjudged his French possessions forfeit. During 1203 and 1204 he invaded Normandie, captured Cowches, Le Val de Rueil, Lisle Dandele, Radpont, and Castell Galiard, and took defenders including Roger de Lacy. Hugh de Gourney revolted from King John and delivered Mountfort to him; Philip then conquered nearly all Normandie, received Rouen’s submission, and regained Poictou, Touraine, and Aniou. He refused an agreement with King John and continued the war over the death of Arthur of Brittany.

By c. 1205–1206, Philip had captured Loches and taken Gerard de Athie, Robert de Turnham, and Hubert de Burgh prisoner, then defeated and captured Savary de Mauléon and Aimery de Lusignan. He and King John agreed to a two-year truce and exchanged prisoners. In 1213, Philip abandoned his planned invasion of England to fight Ferdinando, Earl of Flanders; after losing his fleet, he defeated the English and Flemish forces at Dam and burned the town and ships there, leaving Louis VIII in garrison at Lisle and Doway.

In 1215, Philip defeated Otto IV at the bridge of Bouins, while a five-year truce with King John was arranged through ambassadors. Later that year, he promised Louis VIII aid against England, took hostages for the agreement, and prepared an army and ships. His forces, led among others by Hugh Thacon, Eustace de Neville, Baldwin Brecell, William de Wimes, Giles de Melun, William de Beaumont, Giles de Hersey, and Biset de Fersie, crossed to London and were received by the barons.